Too Darned Thrifty?

Allan in NE · Aug 5, 2009

Dunno,

Maybe I shold break down and spend the $100 on a battery for my UPS.

Darned computer is on it's third power supply and the second motherboard because of lightning strikes........... :>(

Allan

bjb in TX from Ne · Aug 5, 2009

Are you plugging directly into the wall or do you have a surge protector?

Another option that my parents use when it is stormy, is to go and physically unplug the computer from the wall (even with a surge protector).

Kruse · Aug 5, 2009

About two years ago, we had some dark clouds come over our house. There was no rain, it just looked threatening. My son was on the computer and the rest of my family was one room over watching TV. All at once there was a simultaneous boom and flash of light. It was so bright inside the house we were all seeing spots. Either the lightning hit our house or right next to it. Our computer, computer monitor and the VCR got knocked out. We also found out that a surge suppressor with a $100,000 guarantee was useless as they wouldn't warranty diddly squat.
Luckily, our house didn't catch fire or burn down.

Allan in NE · Aug 5, 2009

Have a UPS, but the battery went dead and the alarm started going off, so I've got everything plugged into the "unprotected" side.

Same as nothing. :>(

Allan

Allan in NE · Aug 5, 2009

I knew this one was toast 'cause I could smell the silly thing. :>)

Glad I had a spare lying about.

Allan

Nancy Howell · Aug 5, 2009

Surge protectors may not be what they are cracked up to be either. While we turn the computers off when we're finished using them, we frequently leave the monitors on. Everything is plugged in to a surge protector.

When we got back to Dallas this week end and turned the computers on, both monitors had some very unusual colors on the screens. We shut them off, then turned them back on and the colors were "normal".

Also, we have a programmable thermostat that has a battery back up. Since the house was hot, I checked the settings. All the settings were wrong and the thermostat was indicating it was 3:49 pm on Wed instead of 9:30 Monday. Had to reset the time, temp for each day.

Don't really know what happened since the microwave and other electronics gave no indication of a problem or that the power had been off.

Coloken · Aug 5, 2009

The only safe lightning protector is a air gap between the power line and the equipment.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 5, 2009

You ever heard of unplugging your computer when it storms out? seems like a cheap fix to me??

Dave in Tx · Aug 5, 2009

I did the same, batterys won't last six months. Just haven't got bit yet. Did get nailed a few yrs ago tho, and put the protecter in it, got tired of buying those batterys.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 5, 2009

I started buying more expensive power supplies and haven't had the burn out problem since. Some of the ones I opened before they failed had scorched sections PC board under resistors that were obviously under rated from the git-go. Try NewEgg for good power supplys.

Guido. · Aug 5, 2009

Hello Allen,
Here is what we used at work for surge protection.
It is a transient voltage suppressor with a power tap, and a phone jack in and out.
Lot of zapps are from the phone line as well
as the a/c service. It is rated at 120v 60 Hz. 15 amps. 1800 watts. We used this paricular model to protect all the fax machines we sold.
There was a 120v 15A dedicated line for all units.
Larger model were used for the copy machines.
If you are intersted in this type of surge protector, you can call the company.
The # is 1-800-645-9721.
Guido.

IH2444 · Aug 5, 2009

I have had a couple of old APC 600W UPS's for around 10 years. I had to change the batteries once about 4 years ago.
The bigger and heavier the UPS is the longer it will last. Those little ones do not last long.

Ken Macfarlane · Aug 5, 2009

I use a laptop and wifi on the dialup modem. Lightning be darned. Can't dial in when the power is off though.

thurlow · Aug 5, 2009

It's easy to make snide comments when one knows nothing about the BUSINESS some folks are involved in..........

Rickey H · Aug 5, 2009

You may want to check and be sure the phone box on the outside of the house is grounded Rickey

IHC Red · Aug 5, 2009

Try this... Monster Power - Model: MP HDP 900G -- Monster Power $400,000 connected equipment warranty.

or this one which I bought (similar model available at Menard's for $40)... Monster Power - Model: MPHT700HP -- 5 year $50,000 connected-equipment warranty

Too Darned Thrifty?

Allan in NE

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bjb in TX from Ne

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Kruse

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Allan in NE

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Allan in NE

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Nancy Howell

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Coloken

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Anonymous-0

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Dave in Tx

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Anonymous-0

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Guido.

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IH2444

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Ken Macfarlane

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thurlow

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Rickey H

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IHC Red

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