Return to BSD News archive
Xref: sserve comp.os.linux.development:18913 comp.os.linux.misc:29089 comp.os.386bsd.questions:14300 comp.os.386bsd.misc:4005 sci.electronics:83519 Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.development,comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.386bsd.questions,comp.os.386bsd.misc,sci.electronics Path: sserve!newshost.anu.edu.au!munnari.oz.au!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!lll-winken.llnl.gov!csustan!scott From: scott@csustan.csustan.edu (Scott Falke) Subject: Re: APC SmartUPS series serial-port protocol anyone? Message-ID: <1994Nov7.062826.5747@csustan.csustan.edu> Sender: scott@csustan.csustan.edu Organization: CSU Stanislaus References: <CMETZ.94Oct30192816@itchy.inner.net> <1994Nov3.012516.8955@csustan.csustan.edu> <rgarito.783901485@thunder> Date: Mon, 7 Nov 94 06:28:26 GMT Lines: 122 In article <rgarito.783901485@thunder> rgarito@thunder.cis.ufl.edu (Robert David Garito) writes: >scott@csustan.csustan.edu (Scott Falke) writes: > >>In article <CMETZ.94Oct30192816@itchy.inner.net> cmetz@inner.net (Craig Metz) writes: >>>In article <SRA.94Oct30162124@rurha-pente.epilogue.com> sra@epilogue.com (Rob Austein) writes: >>* >>> Another BIG recommendation is Best Power. Their FerrUPS models are >>>pretty much the best UPSs on the market, though they aren't cheap. >>* >> {*snip) > >>Lawyers read this: > ^^^ Huh? Do you think they care? Did you read the prior reference? > >>Excuse me? Best? You've GOT to be kidding! They have the >>aboslute worst field installation and service people in the >>world. Got several of their 10kVA single-phase UL-labelled >>models and their 'factory-trained experts' were COMPLETELY >>incompetant at ANYTHING that vaguely resembled Code >>compliance. And for service, the 'premium' batteries were >>absolute shit. > ^^^ Never heard of "premium" > batteries in their > context. There are > standard batteries, and > extended runtime (more) > batteries, all located > in external cabinets with > this model. Your terms 'standard' and 'extended' concern ampere-hour capacity, having nothing to do with long-term reliability. Obviously you live a sheltered life. The ***ONLY*** so-called factory-authorized installation/service outift (for this region) available supplied a turnkey system, supposedly COMPLETLEY 'approved' by Best and as the 'best' cells available. BEST supplied the battery cabinets. We learned (later, unfortunately) there are many, many battery sets sold for UPS applications, with widely-varying long-term quality. >>We've had failures of semi's, magnetics, >>batteries, and switches too. > ^^^ Only one switch (except battery) in the unit. > Failed? Units of that size aren't designed > to be turned on and off that often. Sounds > STRANGE. First of all, regardless of current practice, as far as any so-called battery 'switch' was concerned, an integral (and cheap) forklift battery connector was the only means of DC isolation, and certatinly NOT to be operated under load. That does NOT in any way qualify as a 'switch'. Would *you* part these connectors under load or during charging? Maybe you would. The slimball installation/service outfit supplied 'bypass' switches that were underrated for the apllication. The trailer-house grade devices furnished weren't even rated for disconnect (or transfer) under load. Sorta defeats the purpose, don't you think? > >>They couldn't troubleshoot at >>the component level if you held a knife to their throat. > ^^^ And, generally, I'd have a > lot of trouble troubleshooting > if I had a knife to my throat, too. I'm talking about chicken-shit solid-state relays that had *4* wires connected to them. *That* was a component {to them} in a battery charger assembly. They could not determine that that "component" had failed. We 'bought' a charger asssembly. >>Response time sucked the biggest of the big. And try to >>get schematics for their crap.... Their line-side >>harmonics should get an award for all-time highs. And >>noisy?? > ^^^ Bad xfmr or poor installation??? The unit may not be grounded > properly--a common problem with units of that size. Who do you think you're dealing with? *Mechanical* noise. Grounding was reworked out of neccesity immediately after the 'blue-ribbon' crew left. It would have killed someone otherwise. >>These guys will drive you to drink. Not too >>perfeshunal... > ^^^ I won't even say it... It's a *joke* asshole. > >>Haven't used every UPS there is, and mind you, this was ~5-6 >>years ago, but I know a progrma that will disqualify their > ^^^ <grin> >>bids in a heartbeat. > >> -substation scott > ^^^ What an interesting first name! Pre-pubic. Infantile, even. Does someone change your diapers regularly? Hey thunder boy: Your cute little smart-ass comments may reveal two things. You seem to have way too much time on your hands, and it's very likely your uncle owns Best. I'll bet he gave you your little pissant job, too. Best has screwed my business associates once. Never again if I can help it, including 'their finest', installed at no cost. Case closed. End of discussion. Scott Falke