I was googling for a UPS that could have the alarm easily disabled and I found this funny comic to share. I'm aware that the alarm can be turned off using software but I always question wether the Macintosh software is fully functional after having a bad experience with APC in the past. It would be nice to have a list of UPS's where the alarm can be easily disabled.

Lazy,

You don't use APC's software with their UPSs anymore. You use the controls built into the OS now. I haven't used APC's software in years.

Robert

Does the osx controls allow for turning off the ups alarm? I have an APC ES 750 which does have a usb port but it requires a special cable that I appear to have lost. One thing I wonder about is using a laptop with this ups. If the laptop isn't connected to the ups data port will the alarm turn back on or will it stay off. I think this is why I would prefer a ups with settings I can adjust from the ups itself.

For someone looking for a new ups I did find out that a Cyberpower ups with an lcd panel can easily disable the alarm. They seem highly rated on amazon. It would be nice to start a list of UPS's that can do this.
[www.cyberpowersystems.com]

Quote
LCD Models
For models that have an LCD the alarm can be disabled in the PowerPanel Personal Edition software or by pressing the LCD display/mode button. To disable the alarm using the software open PowerPanel Personal Edition, click on Configure then Notifications and select "disable alarms at all times". To disable the alarm using the display/mode button, press and hold the display/mode button until an icon with a crossed out speaker appear or the alarm stops.

Lazy,

The UPS shouldn't need a special USB cable. They usually use standard USB cables. Nothing special about it. I have several Cyberpower UPSs but they are not quite on par quality-wise as APC. But, they're also less expensive and tend to offer more bang for the buck.

Robert

Quote
Robert M
Lazy,

The UPS shouldn't need a special USB cable. They usually use standard USB cables. Nothing special about it. I have several Cyberpower UPSs but they are not quite on par quality-wise as APC. But, they're also less expensive and tend to offer more bang for the buck.

Robert

The APCs I have use some sort of RJ45 <> USB cable

I guess I should figure out how to do this. I have to admit I have never looked at the UPS software, if it is even running anymore. But the beeps are very annoying and completely pointless.

SD,

Sounds like older models. Newer units have a standard USB port.

Robert

I open 'em up and pop the piezo off the board.

OMG I LOVE That !
The very condition I'm dealing with right now at home with my battery backup sump pump. Beeeeeeepppp !!! I put the damn control box in a box to muffle the sound. Tonight I'm taking a soldering iron to the bastich and remove the Sonalert gizmo from the PCB.

I think there is some confusion. I have an APC ups which uses a funky usb port that looks like a phone jack on one end. I mentioned the cyberpower as an alternative because it has a lcd display panel where the alarm can be disabled which I think is a better option. Unfortunately their ups's seem to top out at a fairly small size.

I was reading about how to size a ups for your system and came across this calculation.
Battery Volts x Battery Amp Hours = Watt Hours less 20% for inverter losses. An example for the largest cyberpower:
12v x 17ah = 204 watt hours - 20% = 164 watt hours.
So my 15" MBP power supply is 85w which means their largest ups will only run my laptop for two hours. Throw in a cable modem that would need to be powered and the time goes down further. I would think more power would be desirable especially given the situation we are seeing on the east coast.

Btw, I also have an older APC Smart UPS 1400 with a serial port. The alarm can be turned off by pressing a button on the front so that's not too bad but it can only be disabled AFTER the alarm has already sounded. I'm sure it could be permanently disabled using pc software but I don't have a PC. This ups protects my living room stereo and tv. I just put fresh batteries in it for the bazilionith time.

My primary stereo is connected to an APC J10 power conditioner with battery backup. That's about a $600 unit but I got it as a refurb from dealmac for around $250. I should have bought more. I also have my cpap plugged into this as I can't sleep without it.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2012 10:32AM by lazydays.

As a followup I have received the special usb cable for my APC ES 750 ups. I can confirm that OSX power savings system preference sees the ups and can shutdown the computer when the ups is getting low. Unfortunately it can't turn off the beeping sound. I also checked the apc website and there is no osx software for this ups so I think it would have to be done from a pc.