UPS to 1.5kW Sinewave Inverter Conversion part1 - Free Sinewave Inverter??

[@knurlgnar24]

You can purchase them very inexpensively when they're sold as 'broken' due to dead batteries, or you may be able to find a pile of them for free as businesses frequently throw them away.

[@ssm1997m]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!! SOME ONE POSTED A VIDEO OF THIS UPS, U DONT UNDER STAND, I CANT FIND ANY OTHER VIDEO ON THIS MODEL

[@knurlgnar24]

Without listening to your UPS I cannot say for certain, but it is normal for them to make buzzing noises when operating off of battery power. Every APC UPS I have ever had has made these noises. If it doesn't get excessively warm I wouldn't worry about it.

[@McCuneWindandSolar]

glade you have this up with these inverters. I have two 1500 smart UP's I traded with two grid tie inverter's as I was watching this video I looked at my APC's and look a little different since yours is rack mount and mine looks more like the one you had in the back ground the small on. but the ones I have are like 900 watts. now to watch the rest, of your videos. I like to use these for my Solar set up. great videos.

[@knurlgnar24]

The tower style APC UPS units operate in the same way so this video applies to both types. I have some 1400VA and 1000VA tower style smart UPS units as well.

[@knurlgnar24]

The majority of the quiescent power is lost in the transformer as core losses. Aside from replacing the transformer with a more efficient design there's little that can be done. You could try to get around this like some of the sinewave inverter manufacturers do and cheat by creating some sort of 'smart mode' where it only turns on when it senses a load. Not very practical in application but it does help their marketing specs for selling them.

[@SeanLynchXY]

Really enjoying your videos knurlgnar24!!!! These comments cover the entire sine wave inverter series, which I truly enjoyed. Reminds me of college physics labs, I imagine EE course labs are much the same (probably more fun/practical though). To me the "wave" episode was enjoyable...actually the whole thing...discussing efficiency...wonderful example of using practical "garage/kitchen" experimental methodology to determine not only how changing a system changes performance, but also of quick trouble-shooting (the red "jumper" to the heat sink). -my only thought in that regard is that in the exact experimental circumstance I would have thought to go from ground side leg first as electron current flow actually goes from minus to plus. (I was taught to follow the electrons(-) and not the holes (+)), but would have gone to either leg depending on what cables I had laying around. Love your vice grip splice! I have 4 Cyberpower 2200's in the "Lab Rack" in my living room lab...with plans to build a battery bank. I prefer Cyberpower brand UPS's to APC/Triplite as far as customer service/parts goes...but I haven't checked Cyberpower waveforms/efficiency (yet).

[@knurlgnar24]

I haven't worked with Cyberpower UPSs so they might be even better - I wouldn't know. :)

[@knurlgnar24]

I did try reversing the fan on the back of the unit and it resulted in it moving almost no air due to 'sucking' against the fan grate. Good idea though, I didn't try reversing the fan on top. It would have been easy enough to give a try - sometimes experiments yield unexpected results!

[@knurlgnar24]

Axial fans don't like pulling air from turbulent sources - it makes them very inefficient. So pulling air from 'free air' around the unit results in more airflow than if the fan drew air in from around the FET heatsinks. I'm not sure why it is this way I just know that's the way it works from practical experience. A good CFD simulation would probably show why this is. It also forces the air to mix better in the case this way. Turbulent air cools more efficiently than a laminar flow of air.

[@SquirrelFromGradLife]

Always check the individual batteries in a bank like that because they're most likely just 6 or 12 volt batteries wired in series and/or parallel and if just one battery is bad the whole unit goes down. I have repaired a $1200 unit by just replacing one 6 volt battery for $50!

[@knurlgnar24]

I'm not familiar with them since I only seem to come across the older APC UPSs, however I can say that the older APC products were great. APC is now owned by Schneider Electric as of a half dozen years ago and I have my doubts about their newer products they sell today. The newer designs also tend to have more complex control that isn't as easy to figure out without schematics and such. The old APC ones, well, they're all the same and didn't really change for more than a decade.

[@mmfitzgibbon]

I watched the whole series and enjoyed the videos. Thanks! Have you looked at CyberPower PFC Sinewave UPS Series (like CP850PFCLCD)? The lower end units seem to be some of the least expensive sine wave output units. I don't know how hackable they are, but they may be another option for Jeff to consider.

[@Baptack074]

yeah I had one of those APC branded UPS units (similar to the smaller one in the video) which I collected when my dad was cleaning out of his office cupboard...I tried to turn it into an inverter but I was having a few problems First of all I removed the exhausted battery and then rigged up lead with 12v car cigarette lighter plug. Strangely I was only getting about 50 volts AC while I was running my electronic devices like portable stereo radio it was working fine apart from a slight buzz noise heard through the speakers. Then I connected my laptop and phone charger up and they worked fine and I could hear a different sounding noise in those device's power transformers compared to what you would normally hear if it was connected to the normal house hold supply. Anyway apart from that it was working fine for all electronic devices it was intended to do so it wouldn't run my Bosh power tool battery charger and I noticed the unit would sometimes shut off after about half an hour. Would there be anything to do with the unit having a fault or something else? There appeared to be 12vdc going into the unit.

[@knurlgnar24]

As far as I know APC does not have any UPSs that fit your need, but other manufacturers do. i.e. CyberPower CP850AVR, and Tripp Lite BC600SINE. I've never looked at one of these to know if they're hackable but options do exist. Although significantly better than a modified sine and probably good enough for nearly all applications I suspect their output waveform is not as clean as the professional APC models.

[@DaemonCron]

Nice videos. A question about the temperature regulation. Did you try using the fan above the FETs as an air extractor vs. blower? (Cooler air entering around the transformer vs. air that has already been pre-heated by the FETs). The FET temp. might be a little higher, but you might be able to do away with the "bump" at the front of the case. Reversing the airflow on the 24vdc fan at the rear of the unit (blowing in) might also have an effect. Worth a try, or am I bananas? :)

[@gerardhandel2870]

Great videos you make. Thank you.

[@christopherstaples6758]

thanks I have 2x 300VA version's of these that have been sitting in storage the last 5 years as I no longer ran any servers at home , which I am planing on putting 12x 2v 500 Ah batteries into , and was wanting to know if any hardware upgrades would be needed for the longer run time

[@CHARLIE1955able]

THANKS FOR THE POWER JACK VIDEO, WAS READY TO BUY THE 8000 WATT,,I LIVE IN A 40' 5TH WHEEL , LOOKING FOR A BACK UP INVERTER, WHAT WOULD YOU BUY??? THANKS VINCE

[@knurlgnar24]

Possibly, but not as shown here. That's more of a project than I want to take on at the moment.

[@devlingray9886]

Love your work, have any inclination to help me hack the 2200 and 3000va apc units as well? Love to do the 240V system with them.

[@knurlgnar24]

As far as I know those units are nearly identical to what I used here with the primary difference being a better transformer. The XL units are even better as they support longer runtimes and have better cooling and thermal mass. I always wanted to find some 3000va units but never did for a reasonable price. I had the opportunity to pull a few out of the trash at my place of work once but decided against it due to them being a 3 phase model. shame.

[@SolarBuck]

I have a Big Brother to this unit. I just found it really inexpensive I picked up a SURTA3000XL. I was very excited but as expected all 16 12V 5.5hr SLA batteries are toast. I did the math and they have 2 banks of 8 which produce about 96V at 5ah each. they are connected in series I think. I tried to momentarily run to Ryobi 40V batteries in series to get to 80V but couldn't get it to turn on. I was hoping to get a 3Kw pure sine wave inverter but the voltage requirement is making this one difficult for me to work with. I am tempted to just sell it and put that money toward what I need but not sure if you might want to look it over. I can't get it to turn on but I am likely not providing enough voltage to trip the relay. I also ran across a working schumacher 750Watt that had a form factor that you liked. I think you had a cobra one that looks just like this one.

[@knurlgnar24]

Are you sure that unit doesn't require a 48V battery? They are very nice UPS units and should make a nice inverter. Not terribly efficient but very capable.

[@SolarBuck]

@@knurlgnar24 I am positive. I actually just took the battery bank apart and the lid and just realized this thing needs 192V. I don't know how to send a pic. 48V I could make work but 192V is a bit much to recreate.

[@SolarBuck]

@@knurlgnar24 I decided to jump into the world of Lithium Ion. I found some Battery packs on batteryhookup that are 3.7V 4.4ah and include a BMS. I have purchased 52 of these. At $1.30 each this was still cheaper than 16 SLA batteries. I worry about the charger not being setup for Lithium but with a BMS on each cell I am hoping it will be alright. I might try to shoot a video of what I am doing. Not sure how many people out there are into this sort of thing. On a seperate topic I did manage to get my solar powered shed to run on a 3K Pure Sine wave inverter. It is an EMC one but looks alot like the WZRELB ones. It is able to start my AC run my Fridge as well as all my other stuff Desktop PC laptop and 2 monitors. I am pleased.

[@SolarBuck]

batteryhookup.com/products/lithium-polymer-3-7v-4-4ah-16-28wh-w-bms-1 link to the cells I am going to try and make my UPS come back to life with.

[@TurboA4]

Could this be turned into a unit that feeds power back into the grid? Power generated from a wind turbine that charges a bank of batteries.

[@runaway6842]

Thanks for the info.

[@SidebandSamurai]

Thanks for all your videos. everything is well thought out. Have you ever decided to finish this project? what did you ultimately use this modified ups for?

[@knurlgnar24]

I had plans to make two of these, a 24V solar and gas generator setup, and power my whole house (both phases) off of it for power outages and just for interest. It is currently in my basement unused. I went with a different setup in the end.

[@williamlebo9720]

I have a question. I have a 1000W true sine wave in my Motor Home with 4 T105 6 volt battery's. Would a 2000W inverter draw more battery power not under a load but on, than the 1000w does when it is on with no load. Hope that makes since. Thanks

[@estqwerty]

hi what about self consummation of this ups, you mention that consummation is high on this devices, i also measured mine apc sua1000i its drain 25 watts from the grid when the batteries are charged, this makes 24 hours x 25 watts this makes 600 watts from the grid every day. when it run on battery it take it from the battery i think. can you think something to minimise this self consummation?

[@estqwerty]

i have "smart" power strip which sense a load. may be pir sensor and a relay for detecting present, and power ups up... another question - my ups is making this strange noise wile charging and when is on battery like buzzing : may be the transformer but not sure, is there anything to make this noise, and is this normal?

[@ronaldragan478]

I know I have seen you work with the tiger claw pure sine wave 1500 watt inverter. Do you know if you could tie neutrals together to run A LEG and B LEG of a sub panel that has been removed from the grid? there are no 220v devices on the sub panel, so being out of sync should not pose a problem. The wire gauge is #6 on L1 N and L2, so I should be ok there.

[@dominus6695]

I'd like to replace the inverter in my UPS with a sine wave inverter I have.

[@donaldbadeaux5455]

like your videos...verry interesting...

[@ataullahkhan8381]

i found your videos, i mean all of them, very interesting. i have APC DL3000RMI3U UPS. i bought it a few days ago and the guy said that i have modified for larger batteries. apparently he has not modified any of its hardware, but i think he just changed its programming. i would like to know how to change its programming for charging larger capacity of batteries. please make a video about the battery constant and battery voltage settings. i am using this unit with four 150AH liquid car batteries. but when i put a small load on it, it suddenly drop to only two battery LEDS from 5. please tell me how to fix this problem.

[@knurlgnar24]

Running the calibration procedure will improve the problem, but I prefer to just disable the beeper and ignore the estimated level on the front panel. The battery level meter isn't designed for or useful for large battery banks anyway. After some use it should partially recalibrate itself but it isn't likely to ever be correct. That it is showing 2 out of 5 LEDs isn't really a problem - it will continue running until the batteries are drained.

[@ataullahkhan8381]

Thank you so much for your reply. i learnt alot from your videos. can you please make more videos about APC UPS? i would like to know more about APC UPS. specially about its programming. how to modify its programming like you changed its power value in the Hyperterminal.

[@ataullahkhan8381]

i have APC Back CS 500 UPS. i am using it with external large battery. the problem with it is that it runs only for one hour and forty minutes and then it shut down automatically, though the battery is fully charged. when it shut down, i wait for about 10 minutes, turn it on back and it will continue to run for another one hour and forty minutes and then shut down. the battery is not drained and the ups is not over heated but it shut down automatically. can you please tell me how to fix this problem?

[@knurlgnar24]

Ataullah khan That sounds like a software issue. If running the battery calibration routine does not improve the issue then it may require some creative work to get around the issue.

[@ataullahkhan8381]

can you please help me how to fix this problem? how to modify its software for long backup?

[@jeffstaley7285]

A very nice hack. Makes me want to find one and modify it. Unfortunately, I need one that runs off of 12 volt batteries, not 24v. Anyone have any suggestions for a sine wave UPS that runs from 12v batteries that's hackable. Lower power would be fine.

[@b000ta]

Hey there. Can you explain how can i increase the charge amperes from the software? My scenario is 150Ah x 2 batteries to my smart ups 1500 tower series.

[@bryancummings6786]

I've been trying to get some UPS i have to run contuousely but no luck how did u do in I have 4 different voltage UPS 12v,24,48, & 96v.

[@celsosalvador8280]

Hi! How are you? Your videos are pretty good! My friend give me a smart ups 1500, your projects with this unit are very good. But I have one problem with my ups, I turn-up with any things plugged and the ups show overload led on and turn-off, i have a little idea about electronics, but not about inverters, you can help me please? Thanks for spend your time, and sorry about my bad English! Hahaha

[@en2oh]

have you got any experience with Socomec NETYS RT-120V 1000VA 900W pure sine wave UPS? On the spec sheet, this is the lowest, and the highest capacity for this series is 4500VA. I suspect that inside, they have a partially populated board like you've shown in this video. I'm thinking of putting a big capacity transformer that is 120vac to 240vac center tap. so 120v-120v off each leg to CT. Do you think this is reasonable, or should I consider replacing the output transformer on the unit itself? Thanks.... Doug (I also have a shot at some 12v 190AH batteries - same brand as you got scrap for $40 - for $300CAD a piece. they're brand new. Is that a good price in your experience? )

[@knurlgnar24]

I'd say to pass on batteries at $300 CAD if they are questionable. Shopping around you can get them for new at nearly that price if purchased in bulk. If they truly are new and in good condition then that is a good price and I'd jump on it if I were looking for batteries today, but if there is any question as to their condition then they should offer more of a discount in my opinion. The transformer is usually the highest cost component of a LF inverter/UPS so if you have or can get an appropriate transformer that may be an option. I have no experience with Socomec.

[@en2oh]

@@knurlgnar24 Thanks for the reply and the sage advice. I've got some modified square wave APC backups..... would be nice to convert one to pure sine wave.... I cracked open the Socomec, but the board appears to be fully populated. I see from the series that this particular model goes up to 3000VA. At 5kVA, the whole thing seems to change. Is it possible that changing up the MOSFETS is how they get the added capacity?

[@CharlesDParker]

Just looked up 6v batteries, Two cost $22 and shipping. Why not replace them?

[@FirstLastOne]

Weird that an APC rack mount UPS would require the battery pack to power up when connected to mains power the reason being that hot swapping the battery packs is commonly done in the IT world. Every Cyberpower UPS I have worked with powers up without batteries or with dead batteries.

[@knurlgnar24]

They don't want people turning them on without mains power to avoid complaints is my assumption, and they don't want you to power them on with no battery present for the same reason. I believe the intent is that a 'bad' battery will still allow you to power it up but 'no battery' is not a valid use application. You can hot swap batteries while running, you just can't turn them on unless mains power and a battery of some sort is present.

[@itgenmar]

hi, could you tell my what is the power consumption from grid with battery full. thank you

[@clarkpalace]

there was some fancy cut editing 3 58 to 4 20

[@oldtimeengineer26]

You did not convert it to an inverter it already is an inverter all people are doing is connecting a bigger battery to an inverter already

[@thecuddaking]

Where did you buy the rack unit?

[@chrisskelly6408]

i was wondering if i could run a 24v dynamix 100 600w ups on 12v i tried connecting i to a battery but it made a massive spark and the battery input was not working and no fuses were blown ?

[@penguindevelopment1098]

Hi, I have a question. Is there any way to adjust output voltage during AVR mode? I have APC SUA 1500i, when the AVR in boosting mode, the output sometimes jump up to 247V. Most of my equipment rated on 220V, so I want to make everything safer. Meanwhile during battery mode, the output are set exactly at 220V which is good for me. I hope you can give me some clue.

[@wayando]

The newer models of APC have an LCD panel Infront, which make it possible to modify some settings ... Including what voltage range the AVR should allow for before switching to battery ... Also the output range that you find acceptable.

[@danielcohn3338]

Hi, my name is Dan, I enjoy your Videos--I also fool around with electronics. I found a BEST FORTRESS Inverter. I was wondering if you've ever heard of them? It must be a pure sinewawe. It says 650 VA. And it's the only one that will charge my electric car. Of all the inverters I have. The electric car needs a minimum of 5 A at 120volts to begin charging. It does get very hot when charging the car. My question to you is I have two of them is there anyway to put them in series to get 240 V ? Or is there going to be sync. problem ? I am using two 12v larger batteries. The current going into the inverter seems to be 25 amps. I am recharging the batteries with my solar cells on the roof. Thank you very much for any help that you can provide. And thank you for posting those videos. !!

[@knurlgnar24]

Unless you have a way to sync them together getting 240V is going to be difficult. I have never heard of that particular brand, BTW.

[@whyme2500]

could you do something like this to a car amp some amps are rated to 6000 plus watts?

[@knurlgnar24]

Car amps (and the audio world in general) are horrible for their specsmanship issues so it's difficult to get any real information out of the manufacturers. In the analog world it is very difficult to properly modify anything without messing up the quality characteristics. For a class D style sub amp those sort of issues are less important and you could probably mod them without too much trouble.

[@whyme2500]

thanks

[@drworkout266]

do you have any 1500 watt ups for sale? thank for your time

[@SubratRed]

Sir I don't know my UPS specs but it seems like yours black one and same size so seems to be 600VA no it works on 12V DC batt if I connect it to an scooter alternator of 24V DC 80Amps instead the 12V DC batt . Can I run a 850W centrifugal water pump successfully plzz reply need a project in summer

[@knurlgnar24]

The UPS in this video is 980W or 1500VA and requires 24VDC. I don't know the specs of your specific UPS. This one would run an 850W water pump but would overheat without modifications.

[@SubratRed]

can you please provide me specs and cost of an inverter which can take power from a 24V DC and some amperes from an alternator coupled with my 2 stroke engine.. Thank you

[@whyme2500]

Hi i have a dc to ac inveter cobra i bought new and it dont work think you can fix it?

[@knurlgnar24]

It is most likely repairable. What is the model number?

[@whyme2500]

cpi 1575 1500watt continous and 3000 watts peak

[@knurlgnar24]

Gabriel Campbell I believe that inverter can be purchased for around $100, and based on the 2.5kw version I suspect it is closer to a 750w inverter in reality. Shipping costs may eat up the risk premium on that one. I'd be willing to look at it if you wanted to ship it to me (I'd make a video of it of course) but no guarantees. Not everything ends up being repairable unfortunately. I would personally recommend selling it on eBay as 'for parts' and purchasing a new one.

[@whyme2500]

ok thanks for the reply seeing i took it apart and broke wires running into the meter on front panel and broke off the Adjustable Power thing off the side and fried one of the mosfits might not be worth fixing if you live in the united states and wanted it i could send it to you to have but don't have the screws to keep everything togeather but this one dont have all the mosfits down the side any how to keep them cool like other ones so up to you nice vid by the way

[@jjr897]

I get these ups from a friend, 2 or 3 a month, I test them if they don't work I scrap parts out of them, the bats are the best money, I have 50 bats that I will scrap and I save the good ones,all the bats are 12v agm, just wired dif ways to make 24 0r 36v so if u need a bat for yours let me know if u need some, I will sale at scrap value.

[@knurlgnar24]

I might take up up on that except for the shipping cost issue.. But thanks for the offer!

[@rc1231589]

wow... I wish I could get freebees like that! I'd love to repair a few for my own use!

[@jamest.5001]

I am looking to buy a working ups or two. of about 1000 watts each. without batts. if you are selling?

[@estqwerty]

my camera can't capture this buzzing sound. as everything is working i suppose its ok. i cant send you links here on comment , i found a mod for smart ups to change float voltage of battery. search google for "APC SmartUPS Battery Float Voltage Calibration" there is hidden PROG menu to be able to calibre the ups. also mine left without a load and power switch off after a time, i must measure a time.

[@aliqwe8688]

لماذا تشتغل المصابيح الوحة كلها. شكرًا

[@زهرةالاوركيد-ز6ج]

احمد الكعبي عطل ترانزستور 07700628810

[@rprp07110]

UPS are rate at peak watts = watts time 1.44

[@Matjoao]

Hi! Can anyone share powerchute plus 5.3.2? An't find it anymore... Thanks. JM

[@chrisowen2925]

Ill have to look around to see if I have the CD.

[@plasmar1]

just got one for free that's 1000w but judging by the internals it's probably 1000.... 1500peak:P

[@jonathanhenry5212]

please can somebody help me differentiate between ups and inverter how can I convert ups to inverter

[@armankordi]

a UPS is already an inverter

[@drworkout266]

working or not

[@teadott]

Is this a ups or a computer, the heck.

[@ToxicSocietyTroll]

The reason they throw them out is because batteries cost about as much as a new unit.

[@knurlgnar24]

Companies usually have a replacement rotation schedule. e.g. if the warranty is 5 years they'll replace them at or soon after 5 years. Batteries are actually fairly economical for these units compared with the price of a full replacement unit. That said I see a lot of these get thrown out once the batteries die simply because the people making purchase decisions either don't know how they work or don't care about how much they cost.

[@heltonreynolds5811]

Whats it good for? Why would I/anyone want to build one of these? You failed to explain that.

[@maximilianmustermann8172]

you really have to shake less your camera... it makes one sea-sick! apart from that: nice video!

[@knurlgnar24]

Unfortunately the 'anti-shake' filters remove the borders of the video making them unusable. This camera has optical image stabilization but it doesn't seem to work too well as you can see. I have tried to be more stable in my newer vids. Thanks for the feedback!

[@maximilianmustermann8172]

***** no problem, I know, stabilizers are a pain in the a**. All one can do ist hold the camera veeery firmly. but that's not very practical when explaining things. It wasn't that bad in the following videos.

[@clarencemcgregor8568]

Indecisive.

[@jonathanhenry5212]

please can somebody help me differentiate between ups and inverter how can I convert ups to inverter