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martijn.v2
(@martijn-v2)
New Member
Specs required for UPS

We live in India, and there are frequent powercuts here. We have a generator that kicks in after 5 seconds. Inbetween we are trying to manage the power supply to the Mk3 with a UPS. Tried a few models, the latest has been this one:

https://www.apc.com/shop/in/en/products/APC-Back-UPS-1100VA-230V-without-auto-shutdown-software-India/P-BX1100C-IN

However, even though the specs of the UPS cover larger PCs and even our CNC machine, the Prusa Mk3 still receives a power surge, gives a loud beep and even when it resumes printing it is usually a mess. Plus this will damage the printer.

What UPS specs are required for smooth functioning of the Prusa? Any advice would be very welcome!

Thanks,

Martijn van der Spek

Posted : 10/11/2018 7:07 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Specs required for UPS

Hi Martin,
I have a powercool 1200va, runs my mk2 mmuv1 printer for about 45 minutes, haven't tried my Mk3 on it yet...

Just a thought...

Power panic is set to trigger an instant action on power loss... I am away from my printer at the moment, is there an option to disable Power Panic/ It may be seeing change over of supply, as a power outage, and initiating power panic with unfortunate results.

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 10/11/2018 9:57 am
Pathogen
(@pathogen)
Estimable Member
Re: Specs required for UPS

What UPS specs are required for smooth functioning of the Prusa? Any advice would be very welcome!

This remains unclear. Your very best solution is to ask the UPS producer themselves. I would make sure the company will cover you if it doesn't work, via refund. Personally I am just about to purchase an APC BR1500MS, because it has extra capacity to power my security system, but also, perhaps more importantly, their support appears to be outstanding.

One problem I have read is, as Joan suggests, is that the power panic feature is instantaneous. So, even though the PSU may well be 'PFC compatible', it may not react quickly enough during the transition from live power to battery backup. These specifications, from both Prusa and from UPS producer, remain elusive during my continued research.

Posted : 10/11/2018 3:55 pm
Calire
(@calire)
Honorable Member
Re: Specs required for UPS

The choice :
- off-line => no because basic with great delay commutation.
- in-line or line-interactive => cummutation delay <2ms
- on-line => the best because when shutdown power your Prusa is always on-line (no delay).

Posted : 10/11/2018 9:20 pm
martijn.v2
(@martijn-v2)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Specs required for UPS

Thanks for the feedback guys!

The UPS manufacturers don't make it very easy to find out whether the model is inline or online.. Even some $500+ models appear to be inline after studying their specs closely. And disabling the power panic means cutting a cable, I am reluctant to experiment with that.

As suggested, will try a different UPS and see if the Prusa works with it, and make sure I can return it if it again doesn't..

Posted : 11/11/2018 5:45 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Specs required for UPS

hi Martijn,

can you simply unplug the power panic wire on einsy?

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 11/11/2018 7:31 am
martijn.v2
(@martijn-v2)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Specs required for UPS

Hi Joan,

Right, I have done that now. And it works perfectly. Not a glitch even when I simulate crazy fluctuations. There should be a 'disable power panic' option in the software, that would have helped UPS users.

Thanks for the help!

Posted : 11/11/2018 8:24 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Specs required for UPS

Glad I could help.

Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 11/11/2018 9:02 am
Pathogen
(@pathogen)
Estimable Member
Re: Specs required for UPS

in-line or line-interactive => cummutation delay <2ms

Would that be the same as what APC calls 'Transfer Time'? If so, are you saying that Prusa Power Panic requires a Transfer Time of less than 2 milliseconds? I have ordered the APC BR1500MS which claims '8ms typical, 10 ms maximum' and so I will report if it supports PPP or not, in which case I will be mildly to moderately annoyed that PPP does not function on all but industrial grade UPS.

Posted : 11/11/2018 2:19 pm
Calire
(@calire)
Honorable Member
Re: Specs required for UPS

Sorry, i don't know how much for Prusa transfer time ...
And so i recommend on-line type for no delay (battery is always connected to prevent shut down on mains-plug).

Posted : 11/11/2018 9:15 pm
randolph.l
(@randolph-l)
Honorable Member
Re: Specs required for UPS

In the early mid 1970s I installed a fancy Wang computer and word-processing system for a author gent that lived on an island and generated his own power... the only way we could make it work was with a huge set of lead batteries (over a ton of then that we charged via windmills and war surplus generators )then a very expensive (almost as much as the Wang system) inverter provided the power to the computer and other household electronics so it was always powered by the battery; even with all that, the Wang techs had to come and install some filtering capacitors and other stuff in their PS to make it work as when the generator started to charge the batteries they was some sort of spike that made it through the batteries

Posted : 11/11/2018 10:14 pm
Pathogen
(@pathogen)
Estimable Member
Re: Specs required for UPS


In the early mid 1970s...

Ahh the good old days, when men were men and UPS weighed more than an aircraft.

Posted : 11/11/2018 10:42 pm
Pathogen
(@pathogen)
Estimable Member
Re: Specs required for UPS


in which case I will be mildly to moderately annoyed that PPP does not function on all but industrial grade UPS.

Dude, why would you even want PPP to function if you are using a UPS which by definition avoids the need for PPP in the first place. Please think first, THEN post.

Posted : 12/11/2018 7:01 am
Pathogen
(@pathogen)
Estimable Member
Re: Specs required for UPS


Dude, why would you even want PPP to function if you are using a UPS which by definition avoids the need for PPP in the first place. Please think first, THEN post.

Well why didn't you point that out in the first place tough guy, we could have avoided this entire discussion. Also your handle is dumb.

Posted : 12/11/2018 7:02 am
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