UPS as an inverter

[liliacus]

Hello guys,

I have an old APC 2000VA UPS without batteries, an i wish to use it as an inverter.
Is it a fesable ideea?

Thank you and excuse my english

[Crumb]

Hello guys,

I have an old APC 2000VA UPS without batteries, an i wish to use it as an inverter.
Is it a fesable ideea?

Thank you and excuse my english

IF the power output quality is clean enough for the devices, AND if the cooling is upgraded somehow, it can be done. I have taken a few apart. Observe safety precautions and so forth.

The cooling on many of those units is usually substandard if you want it to last. Some of them aren't much better than poor quality chinese inverters at the auto parts store. Some have such poor cooling they will last only a few weeks of heavy use - maybe less.

You are in luck if the unit already has a fan, Just select another fan of the same size, but higher output. I have done so on every fan-cooled ups I have ever owned for computer use. Better safe than sorry.
If you can't handle the cooling, you will be disappointed in the lifespan of the unit.

If you notice any problems, then use less sensitive devices. Bad power will also harm AC devices.
See: Sine wave, Square wave, and modified sine wave.

[john p]

Sine wave, Square wave, and modified sine wave.NOBODY MODIFIES A SINEWAVE TO MAKE IT SOMETHING ELSE IF POWERING A AC DEVICE

[Crumb]

Sine wave, Square wave, and modified sine wave.NOBODY MODIFIES A SINEWAVE TO MAKE IT SOMETHING ELSE IF POWERING A AC DEVICE

Well don't fuss at me about it, it is what it is.

That's what most inverters are. If you suspect otherwise, you should have a talk with the attorney general of whichever state you live in. False advertising and whatnot. This is how most of them are labeled and sold. They used to be all square up to about 5 years ago, but they prettied them up a little.
The square ones weren't good for much. The MSW ones are okay for most stuff.

The exception is the fancy sine wave ones - those have always been around and have always been overpriced and overhyped- Unless you run a motor, lazer printer or CRT.. or a few other sensitive/delicate things it's likely that modified sine wave will be fine. They really aren't that complicated.

[john p]

crumb ..okie dokie.. Why would any one except mabe you want to modify a sine wave inverter and turn it into a modified sine wave inverter..?
is this what happens . ?you get a good expensive sinewave inverter then modify it to make the waves more "square like" at extra expense ..

AND mine and many others old CRT monitors run just fine on MSW inverters. as there was no plasma/lcd/led monitors 10 years ago to use on home/small office UPS.

[russ]

Crumb is giving bad advice talking about what he has no idea.

[Sunking]

Crumb is giving bad advice talking about what he has no idea.

Me thinks Crumb is POTUS Obama playing Energy Secretary again. Someone at the White House needs to monitor his computer activity.

[Crumb]

Crumb is giving bad advice talking about what he has no idea.

That isn't the case. If you cool it it will work. They won't hold up without cooling.

Don't tell me what I do and do not know. Are we clear?
YOU, along with most of these so-called experts, have given lots of useless advice to me as well as other members here. It's a wonder that anything works as people here put forth such useless information.

I have learned nothing here but to trust my own intuition and disregard the experts - now more than ever.

It's a very strong lesson when dealing with such expensive hardware- and reinforcing it does you no favors.

Moderator note - The last bit of horrible advice from this guy so all should enjoy it.

[john p]

Gee Crumb you found us out.. We thought we were getting away with it..
We all just wanted to have some fun with people that dont know much about things solar.. so we all banded together and made a pact . with out motto "BAD ADVICE IS FUN"
The problem is we are all bored and nothing better to do with our time so we just make up interesting useless advice.
We all have shares in solar industries and want to see people destroy their systems so they keep having to buy new improved ones.

Perhaps you would like to buy my new solar book soon to be published its now only $99.99 and comes with a beautiful set of garden tools. The book gives the real honest to goodness way to power your house from your own home made solar system that can be built with only $28.95 worth of easy to get parts. This is a special offer to compensate you and others that have been given bad advice by us on here..

[kimsong]

Hello guys,

I have an old APC 2000VA UPS without batteries, an i wish to use it as an inverter.
Is it a fesable ideea?

Thank you and excuse my english

Hi liliacus,

I also thought of the similar thing hence I am here
I have a new small UPS that states a 12V 7.2 AH battery storage. It came across my mind that since UPS uses AC to charge battery and then the DC from the battery is converted to AC to power the AC devices (e.g. a desktop computer), then there must be a inverter (or two??) in the UPS.
I do have some lights in my house powered by solar system at the moment so I am thinking of extending the usage to TV and/or fridge.
Can I use the UPS as an inverter? and how?

Thanks and Regards

[Mike90250]

Most UPS's have minimal thermal considerations, as they are only expected to run for a couple minutes till their little battery dies. If you hook up a large battery:
1) their little charger will never get the large battery recharged
2) they will cook from the long run time, and no cooling provisions.

Inverters generate a fair amount of heat, usually about 20% of the load. Nearly all large ones have internal cooling fans.