Posted on 07/08/2023 9:08:13 AM PDT by eyeamok
I run my own DNS servers and Mail server, I have purchased a few battery backups that are available, they work but they only work for a limited time. With one backup per computer, which I have 3, they will run for about 45 minutes if the power goes out. None of them work properly with Windows Server 19 to shut down system then restart when the power comes back on. I have had to make multiple emergency trips to my home in Arizona where they are setup, just to turn them back on. Yes it sucks.
I decided to make my own battery backup system modeled after my Solar powered well that has been working for over 10 years flawlessly. Here is what I did to overcome the crappy battery backup systems made.
I took one of the over the counter battery backup systems and plugged the 2 routers into it, it will run both for at least 24 hours which is generally more than enough time for the power to come back on.
Now for my 3 servers I bought a (110 Volt/ 24 volt DC) Magnum MS 2024 Grid Tie Inverter, 4, 6 volt 225 AmpHour Golf Cart batteries from Costco, some wiring,cables,... and set it all up. Total cost about $2500 Since it is a Grid Tie Inverter, I have it plugged into the wall socket to keep batteries fully charged.
With this setup, when the Power goes out, it will run for at least 24 hours without a hiccup, the switching is fast enough to not affect the computers and doesn't even flinch when the power goes down, NO more emergency trips, I still come here every 2 weeks for updates and maintenance and usually the power has gone out while I was gone, but EVERYTHING stays up and running.
Just hope this helps anyone else that runs their own servers
Pretty low power already, just 2 nameservers passing mail to the mail server, it has more to do with extended power outages longer than an hour.
IF things went absolutely flawless, like 4 1/2 years +/- continuous less oil and filter maint. Not bad. 🌪🌀🌨⚡
Most of the time it is several momentary flickers. Less frequently the power is off a few hours. A week ago, a wicked windstorm knocked out power for about 22 hours at my place. Downed trees, blown down and snapped poles, blown up transformers. 15 minutes of probably 80mph straight wind did all this.
It took about 12 hours for the line crews to chainsaw clear 1.2 miles of county paved road and make.repairs along the way. On the gravel roads where my cabin is situated, neighbors with chainsaws and small tractors cleared our private roads.
It's one of the natural laws, like watering your garden, during a dry spell and it, unexpectedly, rains an hour later.
Or you lose a tool, so you buy a new one, lose the receipt, then, immediately find the original.
Good post. FYI that the Magnum MS2024 is not grid tie, grid tie usually means that the utility power must be available for the inverter to work. You have an 24vdc Inverter/Charger which allows you to have solar and battery backup.
I have about a 2700 sq. Ft. house, and 22 KW Generator cost about $10,000. I bought it 8 years ago and it has worked well in that time. Maintenance is required once per year. It literally is powered by a small car engine that is fueled by propane. So the incremental cost spread over a decade is not as expensive as one thinks. In our case it was a necessity, because we live far out in the country with maybe six families within a 5 sq. mile area. If anything breaks down, it is difficult to get anyone to repair quickly.
500 gallons, which I keep full at all times. I have not used it for more than 5 days. It used about 60 gallons during that time, but could vary drastically depending on how and when you use it. However, it is just two of us adults, so we don’t use that much electricity, and the design of the system is zoned. So you can restrict the usage to essential systems, which we do during blackouts. In other words, you don’t need A/C, etc., during certain times of the year, and under duress, you can ration if needed. Our system has 6 zones, and it is programmed automatically to shut off systems as needed.
The APC and the like are there for short outages and to automatically shut your system down in an orderly manner without disk crashes. For long outages you need a separate industrial system that automatically starts when your normal electric shuts off. You also need an appropriate amount of fuel to power it for the amount of time it is expected to run with the power off.
Well, that gives me a little hope they underestimated how long our tank will last. It’s just the two of us as well, and even though we work at home our typical electric usage is pretty good.
In any case, the longest we’ve ever gone without power — in my life — was 5 days, when a derecho swept through Central Virginia. The Generac should easily get us through most situations.
Program the UPS s/w to initiate an orderly shutdown 10 minutes, or so.
Always fun discovering what the storm left for you on the roads to the cabin. :)
Yes. It is not perfect, but I like having the ability to zone your needs. You maintain some control because you can ration and get by, which is much better than relying on the government and power companies.
Hawkpower unit with an air cooled Lister Peter diesel engine reconfigured for natural gas.
Hawkpower unit with an air cooled Lister Petter diesel engine reconfigured for natural gas.
When we ordered our generator, our needs were sized to be about 15 kW with everything running. The generator output was rated at 20 kW, so we had some margin. Then Briggs & Stratton did some mods to the model we ordered after we ordered it (during COVID) and it was up-rated to 26 kW. I purchased two “Load Shed Modules” which take the oven and AC off line while the generator starts. After the generator has started and is running, it sequentially turns those loads on. This approach assures that all the loads don’t start at once which would trip the generator back offline causing a restart / shutdown / restart endless loop.
They call it a grid tie because it has a 110 volt AC to DC charger built in so you can plug it in or hook a generator to it to keep batteries charged, yes it has solar and battery input also. For my well I have the MS4024PAE and hook my generator to it with 220 if needed.
That’s a nice size generator... thanks for the information.
Sorry to bother you.
NIce.
I think you can run those 24/7 for 45 days before it needs an oil change.
With the optional larger oil pan it’s 90 days.
You won’t run a Generac anywhere near that long before bricking it.
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