Hello everyone!

I had a freak power surge the other day and it ruined my 360 Elite! It had it hooked up to an APC 550 and it still fried it! I got the red ring of death. My Vizo LCD TV, DirecTV DVR and other components were all fine though. BUT the actual battery only gave me about 15 second of operation and then everything went dead and the APC started making a high pithced buzz sound until I reset the thing!

I want to get a UPS/Line Condition all in one unit that is DESIGNED for home theatre.

The Monster model only has TWO power outlets, but BELKIN has a LOT of different models, I just need help picking one out.

Here are my components (not many, but still pricey)

Vizio GL42 LCD HD TV
XBOX 360 Elite
Nintendo Wii
Samsung HD DVD Player
DirecTV HD-DVR (HR-20)

I see lots of nice "Geek Squad" PC UPS systems ar Best Buy but they're designed for PC's.

Is there any major different in ones designed for PC's and HT's?

Belkin has units that ranges from $199 up to $750! I don't understand the price different as some of the unites with LESS power outlets cost MORE than units with MORE outlets.

Here are some models I am looking at:


1) Belkin PureAV™ Home Theater Power Console PF30 = $199 (Not sure if this even HAS battery backup?!

2) Belkin PureAV™ Home Theater Power Console PF31 = $399

3) Belkin PureAV™ Home Theater Battery Backup with AVR Technology = $399

Hmmm... after looking, it looks like option 3 is the only one with battery backup?!

Ugggghhhh... I'm going crazy here! Is there some that is reliable that can hold 6 items on battery backup for 5-10 minutes and only $299?!?


THANK YOU GUYS AND GIRLS!

You should easily be able to get what you want in that price range. Yes, only the last one is a UPS.

There is a difference in PC models and HT models. I forget the precise technical issue, but it is about how the electricity actually comes out of of the UPS. Audio amps require much larger spikes of power. There have been massive threads about this on AVS and other places.

Many people have been happy with the Tripplite or APC models available at Costco. Usualy around $100.

Just make sure that you buy a backup with enough juice for all your equipment. That could be another reason why you had so little time at the APC backup. And I'm sure you know that your stuff is insured with APC. They should pay you for your fried 360.

I've got two of the Tripplite models from Costco. I've been happy with them.

I have the 3rd option, the belkin ups, and have been very happy with it. I have a 42" plasma, wii, onkyo 705, hd-dvd player and my tivo s3 all hooked up. My ps3 however pushes the unit over its limit. i've pulled the plug from the wall and everything's carried on just as normal. it also seems to have helped with some funkiness that used to occur when the ac came on. I was able to find it on Amazon for well under $200.

I have heard many good things about the triplite units however.

Hi TLWizard!

Thanks for the info! That's a GREAT deal!! I will definitely shop around for the best price, and you finding it for $200 give me great hope!

How long ago did you get it?

ALSO, Does anyone know the model of the TripLite unit, and is it designed for HT? Or just general electricity?

--Also, thanks to the poster about reminding me of the "guarantee" on my APC Unit. Microsoft is fixing me 360 for free, but it DID also fry my "Wii Mote Charger". How do I file claims with APC? Do I need the original receipt for the unit?

Thanks all... It's been a crumby week(s), and this was a nice chat.

Hey guys!

I just checked out Amazon's prices! Amazing stuff!

What do you think about the difference and pros and cons of these 2 very similar BELKIN units at Amazon?


Belkin PureAV® Home Theater Battery Backup with AVR Technology AP30800fc10-BLK -- ONLY $174!

Belkin AP41300fc12-BLKPF60 Home Theater Power Console -- $429.99

I just have the PF30 and it does a good job of keeping everything in check. It's not a battery backup, but I don't really need that for my system, I just need good surge protection and the voltage regulation is extra peace of mind. Got it cheap off eBay and it's served me well for a couple years now. Very happy.

Here's the one I got at Costco: 1000VA

I've had mine since December. And the price posted above is close to what I paid.

from what I remember the pf60 is not a UPS unit. however, the ups is ideal if you have components that can benefit from taking time to shutdown. especially if you have an rptv or something hard drive based like a tivo or an htpc.

Holy crap TLWizard! I just noticed it's NOT a UPS! Thanks for pointing that out for me. I am going to order the UPS model we talked about from Amazon right now. It already went up $8 since last night. Weird...

TLWizard!

I GOT IT!

I even signed up for the FREE 30 DAY TRIAL of Amazon PRIME, and got it shipped UPS RED for only $3.99!

Not bad eh?

Total cost was $185


I'll let you know how it goes when I get it tomorrow!

Enjoy! I hope it works out for you.

Make sure you charge it overnight before hooking it up to any components.

Also, follow the price of your item on http://www.priceprotectr.com/index.jsp and so if the price goes down within 30 days you can get the difference refunded.

Danke Schon!

Hey, I have a question (other than where am I going to find room to put THIS, AND a SS Receiver in my little ass room!) :

There are 2 indicators on the front for "Battery" and "Load"

I imagine the higher the number for "Battery" the better, right?

How about "Load"?

Thanks!

You want battery full up and not the load full up.

Like I said above, I can run all that stuff and not go over the load. But once I add my PS3 it goes over the load and makes a terrible noise (which I do believe can be turned off.) But the battery should be full, and the load shouldn't go over the max.

I have had it on charge since last night (with nothing plugged in) and the display on the front hasn't turned on yet. What am doing wrong here bud?

DAMNIT..

I spoke to the lovely tech support in India and it appears the unit is DEFECTIVE. Damnit.....

So I submitted a return request with Amazon. it SOUNDS like the sound out a replacement without having to wait for me to send the defective item back. I just hope they send it out first thing MONDAY UPS NEXT DAY (Since that is what I paid for before)

Uggghh... What a nightmare this week has been.

Well, how have YOU been TLWizard? Having a good 4th?

Sorry I just now saw your posts. That's a bummer to hear about it being defective. I'm sure all the obvious things have been covered in terms of checking it out, especially checking to make sure you turned it on. From what I remember, the power button was flush with the front and so it took me a minute before I realized what it was and that I needed to press it to get everything up and running.

Amazon should do you right. I've had nothing but good experience with them. Did you talk with them on the phone? That's usually the easiest way to have a replacement item immediately sent (without having to send yours back first.)

Thanks for asking about my 4th. Can't complain. Relaxing. Hope outside of your technical issues you had a good one. Good luck with your Amazon and Belkin endeavors. Keep us posted.

Hey TL!

With the week I'd been having I just set up an RMA through their website, and figured I'd wait for them to contact me.

I got an email an hour later from "Raja" at Amazon apologizing and saying he's send me a replacement unit 1st thing Monday via 'UPS NEXT DAY'

So far... Amazing is handling themselves VERY WELL!

Keep your fingers crossed that this one works for me.

Thank you very much for your help and answers with all this. You're good people!

I'll keep you posted!

Amazon REALLY came through for me! I got the replacement unit first thing this morning. So far so good! I have it hooked up charged and the display on the front is working well! My battery is at 100% capacity. I'll place it in my Home Theatre area tomorrow, and start attaching components to it.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Good Times!

Hey man

The "Battery" Indicator is at FULL!

But the Load indicator light is NOT coming on. is that normal? I have a TV, Sat Receiver, HD-DVD Player, 36O Elite and Sur Sound Receiver plugged in

Is this normal?

Hey

That's great that Amazon came through for you and that the battery is full.

It's also great if the load isn't lighting up because that should mean that you're not drawing a lot of power. What kind of TV do you have?

I have a plasma that draws about three bars... but everything else on there, even when turned on, draws almost a bar. So when everything is running at full speed, I get four bars.

Sometimes when you turn things on, the load will blip up a bit as certain components draw that extra starting up power. But when all the components are turned off, the load should be blank. Is it still blank when you turn everything on and crank the volume on your receiver?

By the way, sorry for the delayed response.

A few quick questions about UPS Surge Protectors:

So what happens when the batteries dies on a UPS? Can you purchase replacements? Are they expensive?

Also, as the battery gets older does it put out less juice? If so, can this damage components?

If the battery does go out, does the unit still typically work as a straight surge protector/"line conditioner"?

Sorry, about all the questions. I'm considering one of the Tripp Lite units at Costco and am curious about the "longevity" of them.

I'm sure there are better people to answer this than me, but I will give the questions a stab.
Yes, the batteries can typically be replaced. If you're looking at the tripp lites here is a list of battery prices. I can't vouch for the site but it was one example I found on google. http://www.batterywholesale.com/batt...l?thecatID=118

The battery is only kicked in when all the power goes out. So even though it will have less power, it should still perform it's job of keeping components on for some extra amount of time. The idea behind an HT UPS is that it gives you time to shut everything down. Typically if you're not there using the equipment, there won't be a need to shut anything down so it would be just as if the power went off without the equipment being on. So, my answer is no, even with less juice this in no way should increase any potential damage to your equipment.

This may be a little trickier. My gut response is yes. It's like talking on the cell phone while your phone is plugged into the wall. Even with a bad battery everything is going to work just fine. The battery is simply there for when you're no longer plugged into the wall.

Now, my only hesitation comes with the line conditioning, because I'm not sure if that is a function of the AC power charging the battery and then the battery sending even power to all the electronics or not. It may vary per model, but my guess overall is that everything will still continue to work - just not the extensive amount of extra time after the power goes out.
I've only had my belkin for 7 months now but I don't see why someone couldn't get at least a couple of years out of the battery before needing a new one. There are definitely other people on this board who have had one longer than I have, and you can always go check out the avsforum because there are a number of people who will debate the merits and qualities of UPS systems over there.

I purchased this one as I had $100 amazon that I had to spend.

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-PureAV%...6762567&sr=1-1

Can't tell you how well it works yet, I just hooked it up last night.