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<div>I'd installed a 450 VA UPS at home a few years ago to protect an iMac (~100 W) plus a USB hub and and external drive (~20W). (That UPS is a CyberPower unit whose batteries are not user replaceable — silly me, I thought they were all replaceable.) I don't
normally leave the computer on when not in active use, the UPS is just to protect the hard disk should the line power get weird, allowing a few minutes to manually shut down. A very low-end strategy.</div>
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<div>I thought I was well protected until last winter when the wind storm hit and we were without power for almost a week. I was surprised that the UPS was drained so quickly by the USB devices. (Memo to self: You gotta check the battery state periodically!)
Could not use any of the phones at home since they all required wall power and the UPS was drained! Painful lesson learned.</div>
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<div>The stories out of NY during and after Sandy got me moving again. We have an ATT land line (plus two cell phones). I recently pickup up a 1980's style push button desk phone driven solely by phone jack. As soon as I get the new UPS installed, I'll
break open the old one and try replacing the batteries and keep it around just to recharge cell phones.</div>
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<div>Thanks for all the responses.</div>
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<div> --Don</div>
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