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Author Topic: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?  (Read 369 times)

N1GMV

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Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« on: November 23, 2021, 07:23:17 AM »

For years I thought the noise in my shack was from outside my control only to discover it is coming from my Triplite UPS units.
I suppose I could try and open them up and add chokes etc but really not up for the task.
I plan to sell them and get replacment units.
Can anyone recommend FIRST HAND UPS MAKE AND MODEL of a unit that does not generate huge RFI to my radio equipment?
Thanks es best 73
John
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NA6O

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2021, 08:53:36 AM »

I can certify the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD is RFI-free in HF and VHF amateur radio installations, including those with antennas in close proximity (e.g., a Yagi within 30 ft). There have been numerous discussions on this topic on the RFI reflector https://www.contesting.com/FAQ/rfi .  Tripp-Lite equipment has been highly problematic in multiple installations. See my detailed report on one such Tripp-Lite UPS at https://na6o.com/main/RFI_files/Tripp-Lite_UPS_RFI_Report.pdf

Gary NA6O
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WA9AFM

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2021, 12:25:29 PM »

I have two APC CS500 UPS units; one in the shack and one in the wife's study.  Both are RFI free.
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KT4WO

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2021, 01:47:36 PM »

I can 2nd the APC brand.
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N7EKU

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2021, 01:59:05 PM »

Hi,

I've run a small CyberPower unit for years now (on it's third battery now) and it's quiet and trouble free.

73.
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Mark -- N7EKU/VE3

K6AER

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2021, 06:43:36 PM »

You did not mention if this is to run the radio or provide 120 VAC.

For running the radio with 6 hours of standby power it is hard to beat a Group 24 battery with an 8 amp battery charger. CarQuest model number CQ-80CR.
« Last Edit: November 23, 2021, 06:48:04 PM by K6AER »
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N1UK

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2021, 04:19:45 PM »

I am running seven Opti UPS ES1000C units in the shack with no issues


Mark N1UK
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VE3NNM

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2021, 06:29:28 PM »

I have issues with the APC brand of UPSes, some RFI-related issues and others that are not RFI-related.

My house is full of running UPSes courtesy of a buddy of mine that has a small battery recycling depot. He absolutely hates disassembling things to get the batteries out so we have an arrangement where I remove the batteries for him and I can keep whatever it was that the batteries were in, whether it's a UPS, those 12V booster box / inverter things, an old office PBX or whatever. It's amazing (and kind of disgusting) how many people and businesses throw out perfectly good devices because the battery has gone bad.

A whole pile of APC ES350 UPSes came in a few years ago so I installed new batteries and put them into service at my home. "ES350" is a pretty useless designation, you need to get the full number off of the product sticker on the back as these "ES350" UPSes are different shapes, sizes and take different batteries. There is a UPS running in every room of my home now and two or more in my living room and basement. While they are reasonably RF-quiet I have one that is a pest on 40M from time to time, weeks can go by and then it starts its raspy wandering across the band. If I unplug it, let it kick over to its battery and then plug it in again it will clear the RFI. I could never understand what sets it off as there's no difference from day to day in the UPS's use or application.

One issue I have with with APC is the line frequency, it is only vaguely related to 60 Hz. One of my intentions in installing UPSes all over the house was to keep my clocks running so I don't have to run all over the place setting the time after a power interruption. It didn't work out that way. After anything more than five minutes or so of UPS running time any relation to the actual time and what the clocks that use the 60Hz line frequency for timing are displaying is just a coincidence, so I end up having to set them anyway. Whereas these UPSes run on a crystal time base it's probably poor quality crystals not close enough to the required frequency, just like those cheap wristwatches.

My main beef with APC is their programmed running time that is completely unrelated to the state of the battery. This REALLY vexes me and is why I would never buy one of their units although I fully expect that other manufacturers are doing the same thing. My expectation with a UPS is that it will run until the battery drops to a certain level and will then shut off, giving you as much running time as possible in an emergency. Not these ES350s. They shut down after a pre-programmed time whether the battery is still good or not, I've run tests on multiple units. This is also where the product ID rather than the model number comes in. Certain ES350 units I have, all with the same product code, will give about 45 minutes more-or-less. Each specific unit varies a little bit but they all shut down within a minute or two of each other. Cycle them (reset the UPSes by plugging them in and immediately unplug them again) and they will continue to power the test load (light bulb or whatever) for another cycle even though they had just shut down. I can do this several times before the batteries finally die, depending on what I'm using for a test load, of course. Other ES350s I have with different product codes will give a different running times. I've looked up these product codes on their web site and the longer-running units are of course the more expensive ones. So keep in mind that they're selling you running time not just watts.

I've retrofitted all of my units with those common 6" x 3.5" x 2.5" gell cells used for emergency lighting in buildings, fire alarm panels, etc, rather than purchase APC's unique replacement batteries. That gives me extra capacity, too bad they won't let me use it. Since my units are salvage and well out of warranty I've also modified them by disabling the sounding device and installing a green LED across the coil of the relay that drops when the UPS kicks in during a power outage. All of the above-mentioned tests and evaluations were done on unmodified units. The green LED gives me an indication of AC power and when the power goes out I don't have to sit there in the dark listening to peeep... peeep... peeep... peeep...
« Last Edit: November 27, 2021, 06:41:28 PM by VE3NNM »
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N7EKU

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2021, 07:06:31 AM »

Hi,

What kind of clocks?  I could imagine that synchronus motor electric clocks would have trouble running accurately on the modified sine wave that simple low-cost UPS's produce.

Ever since super cheap products starting coming from Asia, everyone started saying "It's too expensive to fix so I"ll just throw it out and buy a new one."  Part of that was on purpose by the manufacturer as it provided a continuous demand for their products, but the blame is also on the consumer for buying the cheapest possible things.  That is partly changing now as the EU is starting "right to repair" laws, which require some manufacturers to start making things repairable and make sure parts are available in the future.  But those rules are pretty lax 
still.  It was so nice when you could get pretty much any repair part you needed from Sears for something you bought there!

73
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Mark -- N7EKU/VE3

VE3NNM

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Re: Can anyone recommend an RFI free UPS unit?
« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2021, 12:31:14 AM »

What kind of clocks?  I could imagine that synchronus motor electric clocks would have trouble running accurately on the modified sine wave that simple low-cost UPS's produce.

By other peoples' standards I'm probably exagerating, I'm the kind that likes his digital clocks to increment right when WWV beeps, but I think it's reasonable to expect the clock to stay within the same minute during a short period of UPS running time and often it does not. I don't run mechanical clocks on a UPS, I consider it a waste of power during an outage. In each bedroom I have a digital clock radio and a lamp with an LED bulb on the nightstand connected to a UPS and those are the clocks that are loosing accuracy when the UPS backup power is active. They all use the AC line for their timing reference as is typical of those devices so the 60Hz reference during the UPS's running time is generated by the UPS itself.

If someone wants to test their UPS for running time I've found the best way is to leave it downstairs and run a long extension cord to a lamp on the main floor or use a long trouble light. That way you don't have to listen the UPS's incessant beeping during the test and you can sit and watch TV or use the computer until the light goes out and then you just note the running time. LED light bulb in the lamp when testing the UPS for a fixed running time to ensure a low current draw that won't shut the UPS down due to a low battery. I can then cycle the UPS (plug in to AC and then unplug) to double-check the UPS's time to shutdown and confirm that the first shutdown was caused by the UPS's running time limit and not a low battery. Incandescent bulbs come in handy for load tests if you suspect your UPS's battery is getting old, although it's handy to have done a load test when the battery was new so you have a reference for what to expect from it.

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