I’m running a rather small homelab and am hunting for a good UPS to help keep everything running smoothly. My top priorities are:

  • Just enough battery life to keep things running until they can be shut down
  • Compatible with open source software for monitoring and automated shutdown

Would I have better luck getting a used one and a new battery, or a brand new unit altogether? Anyone have one they don’t need anymore, on that note? 👀

Thanks for the advice!

  • IsoKiero@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    “Enough battery life” is a bit wide requirement. What you’re running from that?

    Most of the ‘big brands’ (eaton, apc…) work just fine with linux/open source, but specially low end consumer models even from big players might not and not all of them have any kind of port for data transfer at all.

    Personally I’d say that if you’re looking for something smaller than 1000VA just get a brand new one. Bigger than those might be worth to buy used and just replace batteries, but that varies a lot. I’ve got few dirt cheap units around which apprently fried their charging circuit when the original battery died, so they’re e-waste now and on the other hand I have 1500VA cheap(ish) FSP which is running on 3rd or 4th set of batteries, so there’s not a definitive answer on what to get.

  • Bakkoda@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    I bought mine through refurbups or whatever the site is. APC rack mount. New batteries. It’s been rock solid since. apcupsd running on my proxmox backup server. Everyone gets it’s info from that.

    • rroa@reddthat.comEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      Not the OP but if they don’t take up on the offer I might be able to. I am happy to pay for the shipping if it’s possible for you to send it across the border to Netherlands. (I assume without the battery to comply with shipping regulations).

    • Boomkop3@reddthat.comEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      I’m right next to Germany, in the Netherlands. Me and my gf have been working on a home server to keep our memories safe. I’d gladly take it off your hands.

  • Shimitar@feddit.itEnglish
    2·
    1 month ago

    Some cheap Eaton… I got a multi-plug from Eaton, works fine.

    I wouldn’t go cheaper…

    And remember that for any ups you need to plan replacing batteries every 12-18 months!

  • infinitevalence@discuss.onlineEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    Used UPS’s show up from time to time. I recently found a craigslist posting with 6 all of which were in decent shape needing some cleaning, and new batteries.

    Batteries are the rub since they only last about 5 years so most used ones need new batteries. Good news is its not that hard to replace them as long as you take your time and pay attention.

  • fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.comEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    One thing people always forget in “small”, make sure to check minimum current, not just battery size. If you end up adding a video card to that homelab, you may end up with constant warning beeps at high load.