[PLUG] LiFePO4 UPS?

[Tomas Kuchta]

On Thu, Jan 5, 2023, 16:22 Keith Lofstrom <keithl at kl-ic.com> wrote:

> I have an ancient Tripplite 700VA UPS, which is briefly
> triggered maybe twice a year, and needs a new sealed lead
> acid (SLA) battery maybe every two years.  Oh boy, more
> toxic waste, and shopping trips, and disposal trips.
>
> Theoretically, it can provide a signal that tells my
> computers to prepare for shutdown, but it doesn't seem
> to play nice with Linux.  Most of the outages have been
> less than 30 seconds, so triggered shutdown is not a
> "must have".  However, extra bonus points if the UPS
> /does/ behave well with more than one Linux machine.
>
> The load is two computers (250W) and perhaps one of two
> screens (another 60W?).  Note that 700VA actually means
> something like 400W continuously delivered - perhaps
> the VA number covers the peak impulse power at computer
> startup, or during a power line excursion.
>
> New technology LiFePO4 batteries last much longer and are
> environmentally cleaner than an SLA, and are shape and
> terminal compatible, but they charge differently.
> I tried one and failed.
>
> Perhaps there is a warranty-voiding retrofit hack for the
> Tripplite, but for safety's sake I prefer to purchase an
> Uninterruptable Power Supply designed for LiFePO4.
>
> Searching on Amazon reveals some $1K units (and a crap-ton
> of SLA in response to "Lithium"), more power than I need
> and way more dollars than I wish to spend.  I don't mind
> spending 2X, but not 5X.
>
> Suggestions?
> .


I came to the same lithium based battery UPS conclusion - there are no
easy, economical, reliable and save choices.

My solution is to get and wire external marine deep discharge battery to my
UPS when I need to replace its internal SLA battery. They play nicely with
the UPS and should last about decade for the similar cost to SLA.
Basically, I am kicking the can down the road!

Maybe, I will be able to UPS the whole house with an EV if/when I get one
some years down the road and forget about these crappy, expensive UPSs.

- T

>