Snoosh

8 de septiembre de 2012

Good unit and fills a critical need

1. True sine wave power:Electric power is not highly reliable where we live and I wanted to replace my aging APC back-up power supply (or Uninterruptible Power Supply / UPS) after I got a new computer (Apple Mini). Purely by accident while researching what to buy, I noticed in the always-valuable Amazon user reviews that some computers require the AC power provided while running on battery to be a true sine wave but some UPS units just approximate that with a squared wave form. It doesn't matter if you understand this or not, the point is that increasingly, newer computers need power of the same quality that power companies provide, even when operating off the UPS battery, and many (most?) UPS units do not provide it which can result in erratic or no computer operation, so you should be aware of that. No computer accessory store, nor Support for my new computer, knew this, very odd. To their credit, Apple support checked back with their Engineering department and provided me with a solid answer, and I found that yes, my new Apple unit required true sine wave. APC, arguably the best known maker and who I had used before, makes such units, but they are far more expensive than the usual APC units someone would buy for personal use. I shopped around, including via the aforementioned Amazon user reviews, and found CyberPower, who makes several very reasonably-priced UPS units with pure sine wave power, bought it, and it works well.Bottom line on this topic: You need to find out if your computer needs pure or true sine wave power (meaning, if your computer has a "power factor corrected" or "PFC" power supply) and ensure you get a battery back-up with that feature if so. Apple informed me that all of their recent desktop units have PFC power supplies and do require true sine wave battery back-up if you choose to get a back-up. I am not sure if getting the wrong battery back-up unit would always or just potentially affect performance and/or durability, but obviously you should get the right unit for your computer or other devices and not find out.2. Rating:I've only had this unit in service for a short while so can not comment on long-term reliability, etc., but so far it works well. My unit is a little oversized to provide capacity for adding future items, for longer operating time on battery, and to provide some cushion for when things are starting up . It provides surge protection, regulated power (holds voltage to computer steady), and of course battery back-up.The product comes with a disk for Windows users, but nothing for Apples, so I do not know what additional bells and whistles appear for Windows users, but I can comment for Apples: The installation is ridiculously simple, just plug in the unit, connect the computer and UPS via a USB cable (have U had enough U's yet?), turn both on, and the Apple software (under System Preferences / Energy Saver) automatically recognizes it so you can set things up (e.g., during a black-out, run on battery until battery has x-minutes of life remaining, etc.). The printed instructions are light on connecting to the computer and such, maybe more is on-screen if you are a Windows user and can use their software, and Apple users will find even less info, but in the end, CyberPower's Support was helpful and clear and it's really simple to do. CyberPower also has a Beta-version of energy saving software but I did not install that and they indicated it provides no crucial or needed functions, just use the Apple energy management software already on your computer.So, a good experience so far: easy installation and it works. I hope they eventually provide a bit more guidance and insights for new users in their printed instructions, especially for Apple users; It may be simple but if you're a new user and/or like to know for sure before powering up electronics, they need to provide more. Other than that, it's operated well and already protected my computer from the wimpy power company during a storm. Amazon's pricing was as good or better than other sources and Amazon's customer support is always something to count in your decisions compared to other sources. I liked my old APC unit but this CyberPower unit is also nice, and provides the required sine wave power at a cost much lower than APC does.Ver más

15 personas la encontraron útil

James

27 de junio de 2026

This Device is Great!

House electricity was causing issues with my Cox DVR. A lot of reboots and lockups. This took care of it. No issues for several weeks now. Cured a very aggravating problem. Cox should tell people this. Easy to setup for my use. I just left the factory default settings as is so nothing to do except plug in everything and turn on.Ver más

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K. Jones

2 de agosto de 2024

Top quality true Sine Wave output compatible with Energy Star Active PFC desktops, ect.

This is a solution for assured compatibilty with sensitive equipment that requires true sine wave power as is the usual requirement for most sensitive equipment like computer desktops. Recently there was experienced a power incompatibility issue with competitor brands that were not true sine wavebut had a simulated sine wave output that is not smooth enough power for our desktop systemthat has an Active PFC internal power supply and instantly crashed when supplied the "simulated"sine wave power of two alternate brands using that inferior technology. My experience with otherCyberPower true sine wave UPS units has been positive, and so far a same good result for this model.This does pass the test for supplying true sine wave power required by sensitive equipment. I triedto save expense by trying competitors less expensive simulated sine wave technology which failedto be compatible with the clean power requirements of our computers. It was wasted time thatwould have been avoided by first choosing the proven performer that is the CyberPower true sinewave technology. Also the power panel software that is used by CyberPower works well and iseasy to use. CyberPower is the way to go. So a five star rating has been earned. A 3 year warrantycame on the 9 year old unit that is still working fine on the system I am using to type this review. Supplemental Note: USB device cable communication port is provided on back of units and works with the Power Panel user software to display operating information, select alarm and event notification behaviors, select shutdown options, view event logs, and perform a Pass / Fail self-test. By comparing the predicted battery run time before the self-test with the predicted battery run time after the self-test, a good indication of battery health may be determined. If the predicted battery run time is substantially reduced by a self-test, then the batteries service life remaining for standby use is deteriorated and the time is arrived for needed renewal replacement of the standby battery pack.In standby use the battery may optimally last 5 to 8 years and this interval is affected by how manydischarge cycles and for how long were those discharge cycles. With less frequent, less duration use of the battery backup power the batteries last longer, and with more frequent heavier use the batteries will wear out more quickly. With heavy use I have experienced need for replacement batteries after about 3 years, but with only slight use I have experienced batteries standby service life more than 9 years from the original batteries supplied by CyberPower in the new units. CyberPower gets the job done very well and is a trustworthy source for this technology.

Florida

19 de abril de 2017

Several fails. Also Unit could have set house on fire -- strong elec smoke; odor filled the room.

UPDATE: Before the fire episode below, I had purchased several CyberPower UPS units at different capacities and Amazon doesn't seem to allow you to differentiate your review based upon WHICH size you purchased, but now SEVERAL of these units have failed. At least they didn't start a fire, but they are intermitten, sneaky failures where your computer or router or whatever you are trying to provide power to, will just stop working with no warning beeps or codes. The utility company power will be 'on' but the CyberPower will just shut down and fail to pass along the power company's power. It will later indicate the battery was full, but still, it just shuts down so that it is WORSE than if you had nothing at all ! It actually interrupts the power that existed! Terrible quality control apparently, or design defects.ORIGINAL: Like several others who have written in, this unit is a real fire risk. I happened to come into the room where my UPS was operating, sitting on a carpeted floor. I smelled a strong electrical fire odor and saw smoke in the room. I traced the smoke to the UPS and tried to turn it off. It just kept displaying 72 minutes remaining. I unplugged it. Still smoke and smell and the case was hot to touch. Its vents were not covered by anything, and it had "breathing room" and I could see the smoke coming out. The display stayed on. I tried the switch again. Couldn't turn it off. I decided I would have to remove the battery, but the door wouldn't open. I was getting worried with the heat and smoke it was still generating so I finally grabbed a screwdriver and chisel and managed to pry the battery door loose so i could remove a battery connection. THEN it shut off. About two months ago it began dropping power to my desktop so I had unplugged that CPU because my wall power was more reliable at that point, frankly; that left me running two flat screen monitors and the speaker amp for the computer.Enough people have had smoke or fire problems with this unit that a recall should be considered or at least directions for how to quickly remove the battery; otherwise people can be breathing the smoke and fumes in a small space (under a computer desk) while trying to figure out how to shut the darn thing down in a hurry, assuming they were home and lucky enough to spot the problem early ! I've written the company about the situation and asked if there is a recall out there somewhere.UPDATE 4-23-17: I emailed the company immediately, giving the facts and asking if any recalls, and within a day, an email reply suggested I call tech service. The unit was past warranty time but given the nature of the failure, I suggested registered owners be contacted ASAP with the quickest way to kill power to the circuitry if they experience what some of us have experienced. That's a reasonably inexpensive precaution, especially if panic resulted or someone doesn't have tools handy. Tech Support is having me return the unit for examination and supplying a replacement unit for the hassles, which seems reasonable. BTW, the battery seemed ok, once removed.

Moodaji

11 de febrero de 2012

Excellent UPS.......!!

UPDATE:After getting a replacement from CyberPower, my UPS is working great and although time will tell how reliable this UPS is but so far I am pretty happy with the UPS and CyberPower's customer service.After using my previous APC UPS for more than 6 years, I decided to buy another UPS with more output power and after some research ended up deciding on this stylishly looking CyberPower 1000PFC-LCD UPS with 10 outlets (big Plus for me). Per the instructions, I first plugged the unit in at night for 13 hrs to get the battery charged but when I looked at the battery status the next morning it was only 20% charged. Since, I didn't have 8 more hours to wait I plugged in all of my gadgets (PC, Router, Printer, NAS, Phone, etc) and assumed it would charge the battery while it is ON. Please NOTE that I use VOIP phone which was connected to the [Battery + Surge] outlet on this UPS. After an hour or so I picked up my VOIP phone to make a call but it was dead had an error msg showing "Base Unit not connected", so I right away checked the UPS and it was OFF. Although, I was surprised but thought may be there was some kind of power fluctuation so I turned the unit ON again and looked at the battery status which was now at 0%. This time I stayed there to see if the battery is being charged or not and to my surprise and total disappointment the unit started beeping and I saw the FAULT icon with [F03] error message, which means "Charger Fault". Now, I knew this was a DOA unit but the thing that made me HATE this unit now is the fact below:==> If there is an issue with the Battery Charger or if the battery needs replacement, then you won't be able to continue using the UPS altogether as it will NOT STAY ON. This means you CAN NOT use any of the [Surge Only]/[Battery + Surge] Outlets of this UPS as it will automatically shuts itself down once it figures out that the battery is NOT charging.I consider this a BIG DESIGN FLAW and might also be a sinister way of making money by forcing the customers to buy the replacement batteries before the battery is actually dead. I was able to continue using my APC UPS for another 2 years after its battery was dead.......and that means I was able to use ALL OF its 8 Outlets (including the Battery/Surge outlets). [I give this 2 stars for the looks and 10 outlets]I will be sending this unit back and unfortunately won't be buying it again though I really liked the looks of it plus the 10 outlets. :(

Toby Nuese

Mostly exceptional mid-range unit, with only slight room for improvement

As of writing this, the unit has been functional, and has been in action a few times with no significant issues and only a few areas for improvement.Wattage use: Throughout usage I have at most used it in brief bursts of ~500 watts, the highest it consistently is around however is a mere 300 watts, and at all times, it has made no fan noise that I have noticed.Backup use: On two occasions my house power flickered off for a few seconds then back on, and the UPS saved my PC from an unnecessary shutdown. Additionally, there was one time wherein my power company had a 3 hour long severe outage and during that time this UPS ensured I was able to safely shut down my pc, then use the remaining charge on the battery to keep my mesh router powered for an additional two hours.Unknowns: I have yet to test the ethernet port which I have heard may cause some packet loss, so I may update with results on that. I have not tested the additional "shutdown" software Cyberpower provides for use with this device so cannot attest to the quality of that, but out of the box software-only settings have worked great for me. While the power company does have rare outages and semi-frequent flickers, I have yet to experience any surges in 10+ years so cannot attest to it protecting my devices from surges, but have confidence in it.Phone Charger Ports Low-power letdown: I am slightly disappointed in the wattage of the "phone charger" ports (the front-facing USB-A and USB-C) as while they do reach what the specifications in their manuals say, a star is still lost as that is a good bit below standard for 2026, especially on a mid-range unit. Can be mitigated by plugin in a higher wattage charger on one of the outlet ports and using a cable with that instead, but that fills a slot that could have been empty if the phone ports were powerful enough.Outlet port spacing: High quality, with little to comment on for this, besides that the phone ports are a bit awkward for some use cases, unless setting this unit on the floor for example. Power cables of the UPS itself seem to be quality and have posed no issues with decent flexibility and length.Usability: Very easy to use, for more technical enthusiasts the one warning I have is to be sure you get a unit with sufficient wattage output, especially if planning to upgrade. Particularly on the mid-high PC side where 850W+ is becoming more common, as well as the higher-power amplifier side.