I need to buy a new UPS backup unit. I have been using a 20 year old UPS unit that was really too small for for my layout but it just bit the dust. I need to replace it but I am not sure what size to go with. My main goal is a unit that will act as a decent surge protector and also to provide very short term power to handle power blips and give me time to shut everything down gracefully if I have a true power outage when operating,
Everything is currently running off a single 20A circuit but I have never measured my true load. My main power draws are a Digitrax DCS240, three DB200 boosters, a bunch of bricks/wall warts providing power to various accessories and some overhead ceiling lights (LED). I am a lone operator so not running many trains at one time thus the DCS & DB units are not all loaded up at the same time.
When I look at current UPS units, they seem to be the lower priced ones with 700VA or less and the larger ones up around 1500VA. My old unit was only 400VA but it never had to kick in during a power loss while I was operating.
I’ve used Triplite Power Inverters for backup for many many years and never been disappointed.
I used a pair of 4K inverters in parallel before I retired for backup for the Bakersfield Council Cable TV system. Backing up sensitive Television cameras and TV production equipment, never a single problem.
Money wise they cost less and produce pure sign wave power. I liked them because they operate off standard 12 volt automotive batteries. A 1.5K will run for hours on a couple of car batteries.
I still use one in my home to back up my computers, 1.5K keeps two computers with all of the rest of my gear operating for close to an hour using one 90ah battery.
The inverters also charge the batteries.
I have no monetary connection to Triplite or any company selling them, this is strictly my experience with the product.
Get yourself a Kill-A-Watt device to measure the load, and decide how long you want the UPS to handle the load. Then multiply the two to give yourself the capacity you need.
I have been running a couple 1000 va units for some years.
Amazon is great. Free shipping, even for replacement batteries.
My DPW in town takes rechargeable batteries for recycling. Batteries last maybe six or seven years.
Recent addition. Since my heart flatlined last October, I now have a Pacemaker on my upper shoulder over my heart to keep it going and a wireless unit checks it out and sends data to the VA via the router. Tech is great.