Running a PC on battery
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Help Support Homebrew Talk:
What's the up-time requirement? And horsepower needs?
Generically, I'd be thinking "small PC, big honking battery".
Maybe a NUC that can run off a 12V marine/deep cycle battery?
Cheers!
Generically, I'd be thinking "small PC, big honking battery".
Maybe a NUC that can run off a 12V marine/deep cycle battery?
Cheers!
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aeviaanah
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I'd say 3hrs run time to get through a brew day plus some. I'll have to research wattage demands of this unit.
I had the same thoughts to use a deep cycle.
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UPS
Consumer UPS would be tricky. I don't know they'd be happy powering up on battery alone.
I could try that with one of mine, except there's stuff depending on them right now
If I was going to stick anything between a deep cycle battery and a computer that needed 120vac it'd be a good quality inverter...
Cheers!
I could try that with one of mine, except there's stuff depending on them right now
If I was going to stick anything between a deep cycle battery and a computer that needed 120vac it'd be a good quality inverter...
Cheers!
Consumer UPS would be tricky. I don't know they'd be happy powering up on battery alone.
I could try that with one of mine, except there's stuff depending on them right now
If I was going to stick anything between a deep cycle battery and a computer that needed 120vac it'd be a good quality inverter...
Cheers!
No battery. A UPS is a battery - and an inverter.
![Craft A Brew - Safale S-04 Dry Yeast - Fermentis - English Ale Dry Yeast - For English and American Ales and Hard Apple Ciders - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [1 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41fVGNh6JfL._SL500_.jpg)
Ugh. That shouldn't be news to anyone, never mind someone who spec'd UPS systems with motor-generators.
Now, try powering up a UPS with no line cord and get back to me on what happens. I honestly have no idea.
And, in any case, if the OP doesn't have access to line power a UPS offers zero over an inverter...
Cheers!
Now, try powering up a UPS with no line cord and get back to me on what happens. I honestly have no idea.
And, in any case, if the OP doesn't have access to line power a UPS offers zero over an inverter...
Cheers!
When we lose power during the hurricanes, I haul one of my UPS's out into the kitchen and we run the laptop off of it. Just long enough to check weather, etc. Also charge phones and tablets with it. Bigger, the better. Most of them have a display that shows power draw, estimated life at that draw, etc.
No access to line power? I must have missed that. Certainly, he is going to need to charge the battery somewhere.
jack13
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I gotta say I have no ******* idea what this thread is about. But I wish you luck! 
Operating conditions have not been qualified, but when someone asks a question like this I'm assuming line power isn't an option, because why ask otherwise?
Cheers!
Operating conditions have not been qualified, but when someone asks a question like this I'm assuming line power isn't an option, because why ask otherwise?
Cheers!
I'm going to assume that he is brewing in a shed or remotely (where there is no power), and that he eventually returns to a place with line power. Thus, a portable box that contains a 12VDC battery, a battery charger, and a 120VAC inverter would be a good thing. That's a UPS.
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aeviaanah
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I'll take a look at UPS. I do have access to power (I have a 3600sf brewery in startup). The reason I'm asking is because we have a rolling brewery computer cart with BruControl and touchscreen monitor. We thought it be neat to keep it mobile and eliminate floor clutter from cords etc.
@passedpawn how much run time are you seeing with UPS you have?
@passedpawn how much run time are you seeing with UPS you have?
I think I get an hr or so on my PC - but I usually just shut off the PC if we lose power, so not sure.
Laptops are designed from the bottom up for much lower power consumption, so you'd do better to use one for this application. Addionally, they have their own battery
My laptop (Asus) draws 20W. My PC, near 200W (though, it's got 4 hard drives, two SSD's, 3 large monitors, etc). Search CyberPower UPS on amazon - lots of choices there. But you can get an idea of runtime here: Runtime Calculator | Power Runtime Calculating Tool
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aeviaanah
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C2T4211/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BnJ4Eb80PJ0XF
This is the PC I'm trying to run. Probably around 150watts?
This is the PC I'm trying to run. Probably around 150watts?
wsmith1625
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Why not a small generator? If it's a one time requirement, see if you can borrow or rent one. If you'll be brewing this way for any amount of time, I would just buy one. They are nice to have for a lot of reasons, so it would be a good investment.
augiedoggy
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I have a fairly small apc xs 1000 I got from our recycling drop off center and replaced the batteries. this model gives you an lcd readout with an amp load and extimated run time with the amp load in real time... I'm sure it could run a laptop for a couple hours at least. it runs my reef tank sump pump for like 2 hrs if I lose power.
augiedoggy
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I would thing a gas powered generator on a brewing cart being used in a room with eletricity ,just to keep the cart cordless would be a bit ridicuous and bring its own set of challenges and tradeoffs but thats just me.
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This datasheet says it's got a 200W PSU - not that you're going to pull 200w, in either case that computer is really just not optimized for running a long time on a battery. You could do it, but you might just be better off spending the UPS money ($150-$300 for the runtime) on a used laptop/tablet. I get like 6 hours of runtime off of my old Surface Pro 4.
If you've got a UPS lying around, I'd try it, but I don't know if I'd run out and get one specifically for this use case. The APC one that I have here is able to turn on even if it not plugged into the wall. Of course it complains a lot through beeping (there's a button to mute it that doesn't always seem to work).
If you've got a UPS lying around, I'd try it, but I don't know if I'd run out and get one specifically for this use case. The APC one that I have here is able to turn on even if it not plugged into the wall. Of course it complains a lot through beeping (there's a button to mute it that doesn't always seem to work).
wsmith1625
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True. I missed that post and was thinking he was doing an outdoor brewday. There are generators designed to run off battery. Basically a UPS, but designed to be used like a generator.
https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-Port...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
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Any scheme to get 120v AC power from a battery so your computer and monitor can convert back to low voltage DC is going to be incredibly inefficient. My autocorrect suggested ineffective there which is also appropriate. A small ups on the cart would likely be a good idea so you can move it without shutting down but a few strategically placed power drops will probably work a lot better than a cordless scheme.
There're two issues with getting the setup to work 1) power to the computer, and 2) power available through battery of whatever sort. Instead of trying to find a bigger, better battery or some sort of small generator, what if you reduce the wattage of your computer? 150W sounds like a small destkop and monitor. Do you have a tablet available? That may run at about 10% of your stated wattage and still run the software.
Lalo_uy
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May be to obvious, but a PC + UPC is a Laptop with good battery
May years a go we use one as a terminal for a telecom system & works quite well.
May years a go we use one as a terminal for a telecom system & works quite well.
Don't forget to include the display when sizing the load...
Would the computer possibly be a laptop? Run times are fairly well known there.
Seems like you want to know what the power draw is before deciding the power source. The best/cheapest power solution (battery+inverter, UPS, generator) won't be such a great idea if you need 3 hours of power and only get 30 minutes.
Pick up a Kill-A-Watt device. Plug a power strip into it and then it into line power. Plug in all the devices you want to run and check the draw.
Good luck.
Pick up a Kill-A-Watt device. Plug a power strip into it and then it into line power. Plug in all the devices you want to run and check the draw.
Good luck.
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aeviaanah
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The data sheet says 200w
It's an all in one PC not much power here tho. See the link above
The biggest UPS I run is a 1500 VA unit and I doubt it could get close to 3 hours carrying 200 watts plus whatever your BruControl is controlling.
But that 200W is a max spec I assume. It might be worth characterizing the actual power demand before sizing up a battery solution, because otherwise you're sizing for the worst case and paying for a solution you may not need all of to get by...
Cheers!
But that 200W is a max spec I assume. It might be worth characterizing the actual power demand before sizing up a battery solution, because otherwise you're sizing for the worst case and paying for a solution you may not need all of to get by...
Cheers!
augiedoggy
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many of the all in one systems I have repaired and or own dell or hp wise anyway, run off a 65w or 90w ac to dc 19.5v adapter so...
If you don't mind spending some coin look up ergotron or rubbermaid powered mobile workstations. They last for hours, I prefer the rubbermaids but they are pricey. We run an hp all in one , a scanner and 2 label printers
jseyfert3
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If you haven't yet got the computer, get a laptop.
If you already have the computer...you may want to consider selling it and getting a laptop if you want a cordless setup.
Keep in mind that while a UPS will work, the batteries inside aren't made to deep cycle much, because UPS are not designed to power things on the regular, so using it on a regular basis will likely quickly use up the battery life.
A better way is likely a deep cycle battery and a 12 volt to 19.5 volt (or whatever your computer power brick uses) adapter, i.e. a mobile laptop power supply. This should be more efficient then using a 12 volt battery to make 120 volts AC and dropping that down to 19.5 volts DC.
Problem with this is the "deep cycle" lead acid batteries at your local big box store are not "true" deep cycle batteries, and won't last for very many cycles to 50% capacity and below. I did a lot of research for this for our camper for off grid camping and ended up with two Trojan T-105 batteries for like $350 for the pair...and those weigh 60 lbs each, the downside of true deep cycle lead acid batteries is they are super heavy. And you STILL don't want to regularly cycle below 50% capacity for best life...
How often will you be using this? If once a week or more...I cannot say how strongly I suggest coming up with a way to use a power cord or buying a laptop or tablet. Trying to use a UPS or inverter you'll likely go through batteries like candy, unless you buy expensive and super heavy true deep cycle batteries, or get lithium batteries. But by the time you get batteries, a charger, etc you could have gotten a laptop...
If you're set on using this the suggestion from someone prior of a small UPS and an extension cord is good. Use the UPS so you can unplug and move the cart somewhere, then grab your extension cord and plug it back in.
Otherwise get a laptop/tablet...
If you already have the computer...you may want to consider selling it and getting a laptop if you want a cordless setup.
Keep in mind that while a UPS will work, the batteries inside aren't made to deep cycle much, because UPS are not designed to power things on the regular, so using it on a regular basis will likely quickly use up the battery life.
A better way is likely a deep cycle battery and a 12 volt to 19.5 volt (or whatever your computer power brick uses) adapter, i.e. a mobile laptop power supply. This should be more efficient then using a 12 volt battery to make 120 volts AC and dropping that down to 19.5 volts DC.
Problem with this is the "deep cycle" lead acid batteries at your local big box store are not "true" deep cycle batteries, and won't last for very many cycles to 50% capacity and below. I did a lot of research for this for our camper for off grid camping and ended up with two Trojan T-105 batteries for like $350 for the pair...and those weigh 60 lbs each, the downside of true deep cycle lead acid batteries is they are super heavy. And you STILL don't want to regularly cycle below 50% capacity for best life...
How often will you be using this? If once a week or more...I cannot say how strongly I suggest coming up with a way to use a power cord or buying a laptop or tablet. Trying to use a UPS or inverter you'll likely go through batteries like candy, unless you buy expensive and super heavy true deep cycle batteries, or get lithium batteries. But by the time you get batteries, a charger, etc you could have gotten a laptop...
If you're set on using this the suggestion from someone prior of a small UPS and an extension cord is good. Use the UPS so you can unplug and move the cart somewhere, then grab your extension cord and plug it back in.
Otherwise get a laptop/tablet...
LJvermonster
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UPS are generally used in conjunction with a generator. They keep the power on whatever units are tied into them, like a company's tel-data infrastructure, until the generator starts up then the generator takes the load. Typical design for UPS is 10-15 minutes.
Is a small generator not an option for OP?
Is a small generator not an option for OP?
Just a thought, if you are starting an actual working brewery you are going to have some sort of chilling and temperature control, pumps, etc for fermenting and conditioning. Since a power outage could cost a lot, if there is natural gas to the building I would go for a whole house generator put drop receptacles and absorb the cost down the line. One good outage and it could pay for itself. Not sure how many barrels you are planning but you are bound to have outages.
jrgtr42
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Honestly, after reading this thread for the past couple days, I'm still not quite sure what the plan is -
are you taking your big (ish) computer from your home office to the brew area each time?
What exactly are you planning on running with this battery?
Are you an electric brewer? Looking to run the whole brewery off this battery?
Or are you just looking for the computer to surf the net while you brew and to keep brewsmith or whatever open?
If you're looking to run a whole electric brewery off it, you likely won't have the juice without spending a lot of money on it, in which case you'd probably be better off getting a little generator. You can get one with a 3000W output for a couple hundred, less than for a good battery / UPS.
To just have out there, and your phone isn't big enough, I'd probably suggest getting a smaller laptop or even a tablet - you're not looking for state of the art, so you can likely find one for a couple hundred for a laptop, or even less for a tablet - I think the latest Amazon Fires are going for like $50 these days, and will run most apps out there, as well as surfing the net.
are you taking your big (ish) computer from your home office to the brew area each time?
What exactly are you planning on running with this battery?
Are you an electric brewer? Looking to run the whole brewery off this battery?
Or are you just looking for the computer to surf the net while you brew and to keep brewsmith or whatever open?
If you're looking to run a whole electric brewery off it, you likely won't have the juice without spending a lot of money on it, in which case you'd probably be better off getting a little generator. You can get one with a 3000W output for a couple hundred, less than for a good battery / UPS.
To just have out there, and your phone isn't big enough, I'd probably suggest getting a smaller laptop or even a tablet - you're not looking for state of the art, so you can likely find one for a couple hundred for a laptop, or even less for a tablet - I think the latest Amazon Fires are going for like $50 these days, and will run most apps out there, as well as surfing the net.
A UPS is for emergencies only. The nicer ones have a parachute program as well to save and close down running programs automatically. They are not meant as a power supply.
IF the OP used a laptop, life would be much better. Besides the fact that they are designed for low power consumption and that they have an internal battery, they run on DC, which means an external power bank with a 19V output could be used. Consider the one shown below. My laptop battery capacity is about 50 W-h (watt-hr), and this power bank has a 185 W-h capacity. That means I could fully recharge my laptop battery 3 times from this power bank. My laptop will run for more than half a day on a full charge ( I have an Asus Zenbook).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YP823NA/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_HO64EbA1G9T8E
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YP823NA/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_HO64EbA1G9T8E
augiedoggy
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I have made more than a dozen of these. they most commonly run off 18650 lithium cells which are what your laptop and lithium powertools as well as many of the better led flashlights use. I used to get an endless free supply from a local recycling drop off facility. (when your laptop battery fails its one of these out of the bunch in the battery pack which fails and the others are usually fine) The enclosures and kits are available for very little $$ and they even make them with wireless charging pads on the sides now. I was going to suggest it myself but if the OP is already using a laptop all he really needs is a good extended battery for it.
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aeviaanah
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My partner and I decided this may be overkill and we will just run a cord. We are running an All in one PC not a laptop. Also not trying to power the whole brewery with a battery, just the PC.
Does anyone know a cheap and easy way to mirror windows 10 device to a smart TV?
Does anyone know a cheap and easy way to mirror windows 10 device to a smart TV?
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https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/adapters/wireless-display-adapter-2/p3q-00001
Or if you haven't purchased the TV yet, buy a TV that supports Miracast natively.
Or if you haven't purchased the TV yet, buy a TV that supports Miracast natively.
Now here's a man with a plan.
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