DIY Wifi Router backup power. Last 16+ hours! UPS

[@HappyHermitt]

I need this. Our power is delicate. Slemco sux

[@dazzer_]

I used a 12v mini UPS from Amazon. Costs $35 and lasts around 6 hours on my router.

[@mattadata2]

That’s awesome! There are a lot more good options on the market today.

[@HellxHellx]

Can you share the link to that ups?

[@dazzer_]

@@HellxHellx Yangers mini UPS

[@lucarvian]

Thanks for this. Looking for a UPS solution for my modem as we have power bumps, frequently enough to be frustrating. Found your video interesting given you're not using standard lead acid batteries, which most UPSs use, and which seem to last maybe 3 years. I have a few questions as I am fairly new to this. But when the power is not out, is the router/modem getting power through this set up all the time, or is there a 2ndary source directly from the wall from which the modem is getting power when there is no power outage? If the former, will a constant draw of power through this set up and the battery itself not significantly decrease the life of the battery? Thanks

[@mattangelo8438]

Hi. Yes, the router/modem is powered by this setup 100% of the time, no secondary source. The charger is keeping the battery fully charged.....and at the same time, the modem is pulling power from the battery. I have read that it is OK to keep LifeP04 batteries near 100% for a long time, but you should run it down and charge it back up every 6 months to 12 months. That happens naturally with my power outages. All in all, I don't think it will significantly reduce the life.

[@lt8768]

Cool stuff, you got a subscriber out of me. Would you be able to run more than one component off the battery with that regulator? Say, a barebones mini computer + the router? Would the voltage required need to be the same 12 volts for each device? I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to circuits.

[@mattadata2]

Its hard to say without knowing the stats of the computer? Does it run off DC? This converter only puts out 12V DC, so your computer would only work if it ran on 12V DC. But aside from voltage, it can only put out 36 watts......which is not enough for computers! Maybe a Mac Mini M1......but that runs on AC. So not looking good!

[@cancelhandles]

A Raspberry Pi sounds like a decent candidate for this.

[@piratediffusion]

What are you using to keep away humidity and keeping the airflow strong in there?

[@mattadata2]

It’s inside, so no humidity. The door is vented, so I guess it gets enough airflow.

[@Channel-iu7rn]

Could I get more runtime if I string 2 of the batteries together? Mainly because for me my router draws 25-30 watts. Could 4 batteries be stringed together if I wanted?

[@mattadata2]

Yes. Just be sure to hook them up in parallel, not series.

[@adriansweatherstation]

What did you use to secure your AT&T router at the top of the panel I have the same one at home.

[@mattadata2]

It was just a piece of sheet metal left over from something else. I just screwed it in to the cabinet and it made the perfect shelf for my old AT&T router. The newer router shown in this video is a little widered than my old one, so I had to add the zip tie.

[@hiya_how_areya6436]

Could you use a power inverter hooked up to the battery instead of the 12 volt regulator to be able to just plug in the modem without having to cut the connector? And also be able to plug other things in like a phone charger?

[@mattadata2]

Yes. You mean a 12v DC to 120V AC inverter? Of course. And then just plug things into it like normal. But they already make off the shelf UPS for that. amzn.to/3rgAgpP

[@hiya_how_areya6436]

@@mattadata2 but will they last as long? I think the ones I've seen is like only a few hours. I mostly only want it for the internet but would be nice just in case to able to charge a phone.

[@mattadata2]

@@hiya_how_areya6436 Mine will last longer...but not by a whole lot. Mine has 230 wh of energy. That UPS has 216 wh of energy. Add this to the mix and you could charge 2 phones! amzn.to/3sNDe5t

[@hiya_how_areya6436]

@@mattadata2 thanks so much for your responses. That APC you linked do you think on just the router it would last 5 hours? That's about the longest I have had outages. And it happened while out of town so I couldn't access cameras or alarm which is my biggest concern.

[@mattadata2]

@@hiya_how_areya6436 yes, it should be able to do five hours. No problem.

[@franktank9573]

No battery management chip? Is it built into the battery? Is that a trickle charger? It'll ruin that battery.

[@mattadata2]

Yes, BMS is built into the battery.

[@KeithBarrett]

What brand/model is the in-wall plastic utility box you're using?

[@mattadata2]

The door is amzn.to/3GYbApL The main part is amzn.to/3iUnppc

[@chriscarr82]

Did you test if your internet providers repeater supplying you service from down the block still works in a power outage? Mine does not

[@mattadata2]

Good question. Yes, mine has worked during a real power outage. I have AT&T fiber. I believe AT&T fiber uses a passive optical network (PON)...meaning no power is needed between the CO Central Office and my house. COs are generally pretty robust and have multiple backups.

[@chriscarr82]

I have Spectrum cable. The lines are energized at the poll and those thicker 6-8inch devices you see inline on cable lines are the repeaters. In my area anyway, the line energizers are not on backup. Perhaps in newer neighborhoods with underground infrastructure there is better redundancy and backup for utilities. Just something to note anyway before someone puts in a backup and finds it doesnt work in an outage!

[@a11424]

Constantly charging lifepo4 batteries isn’t dangerous?

[@mattadata2]

No, not that I am aware of. It has a built in BMS to control the charge rate and current. It will stop itself from charging when it is full.

[@EminiMagic]

Will this work with the frontier fiber modem along with one eero 6?

[@mattadata2]

You just need to check both of your devices and see what the voltage requirement is. It will say on the power supplies. If both your modem and your hero need 12 V, then yes it’ll work.

[@EminiMagic]

@@mattadata2 The modem is 16v

[@mattadata2]

@@EminiMagic You would need a converter to boost from 12v battery to 16v. These are adjustable and work. amzn.to/3HMIR9e