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UPS good or bad idea

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Aaron bycroft, Mar 3, 2013.

  1. Aaron bycroft

    Aaron bycroft New Member

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    I was thinking about having a UPS added to the the 3D printer and computer, just wanting to know if this would be a good idea. If the printer will use 360 watts( from calculations i have done) and if so what UPS anyone would suggest.
     
    #1 Aaron bycroft, Mar 3, 2013
  2. JDM_

    JDM_ New Member

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    What is a "UPS"?
     
    #2 JDM_, Mar 3, 2013
  3. David Mortlock

    David Mortlock Active Member

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    UPS = Un-interuptable Power Supply

    How big you need it would depend on -

    1. How long a power outage you may expect.
    2. How long you expect your print to take.
    3. How much power your Printer and Computer draws.
     
    #3 David Mortlock, Mar 3, 2013
  4. Michael DiFilippo

    Michael DiFilippo Active Member

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    The only reason I would see to use a UPS would be to protect against any surge that could damage the electronics. Running once the power has gone out other then to cancel a print and shut down to me seems a little unnecessary. I'd suggest getting a kill-a-watt when you get in your printer hookup your computer and printer and print. Check the wattage draw as it prints and get one that can support AT LEAST the highest wattage recorded by the kill-a-watt
     
    #4 Michael DiFilippo, Mar 3, 2013
  5. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
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    I second what Michael said. You want a nice clean power source.
    Aaron, how did you calculate? 360 w seems high. I've measured my replicator with 220c build temp and 118c heated build plate with a killawatt and got close to 0.2kwhr/hr, so 200 w avg.
     
    #5 Printed Solid, Mar 5, 2013
  6. Aaron bycroft

    Aaron bycroft New Member

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    I used the stats on the kickstarter page 12V @30 AMPS

    Watts = Amps X Volts
    360 = 30A X 12V DC
     
    #6 Aaron bycroft, Mar 10, 2013
  7. Printed Solid

    Printed Solid Volunteer Admin
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    I'm not familiar with rules for stating power draw, but I bet that's peak or maybe even just what the power supply is rated for? I'd be pretty surprised if you see much more than the 200W I measure especially if you are running PLA without a heated build plate.

    Have you spec'd out a UPS? I've been debating on buying a UPS myself.

    I've just started running some really long builds, and, aside from a clean power supply, it would probably be nice to not have to throw a part away that is 10 hrs into a 20 hr build because of a 5 minute power outage!
     
    #7 Printed Solid, Mar 11, 2013

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