APA Open Community

I'd like to hear from shop owners who use UPS (uninterruptible power supply) on your production gear. Some background:

We try to be aware when storms are brewing, and if we see lightning we stop running jobs so a glitch doesn't ruin the product being run. Of course we have our file server on a UPS, but other equipment types are on surge protector strips. Aside from power quality, the small industrial park we're in seems to suffer from bad power. We have fairly frequent blips in power, some of which are less than a second but they can cause computers and other equipment to reset.

Our UV printer needed onsite repair last week, and the failed components were almost for sure caused by a power surge that its power strip didn't protect against. So it got me thinking that our Mimaki and maybe some other gear (lasers, etc.) would also benefit from each being on its own UPS.

If you're already doing this, I'd appreciate your insights, such as what brand you choose, does it seem to be helping, etc. Thanks.

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Bill Collier
Arch Engraving
Fenton MO
314.966.8800
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We use a battery back up with surge on every piece since we are in Florida and the weather can be unpredictable. So far they have proven reliable when the lasers are running, I have never been running the Logojet when the power is knocked out but would awesome it would do the same.

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Eric Beauchamp
Naples Awards Inc
Naples FL
239.774.2410
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Eric - I assume you use the surge protection built into the UPS. Is that correct?
Thanks for your reply.

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Bill Collier
Arch Engraving
Fenton MO
314.966.8800
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2025 07:38
From: Eric Beauchamp
Subject: UPS for UV printer and other production equipment?

We use a battery back up with surge on every piece since we are in Florida and the weather can be unpredictable. So far they have proven reliable when the lasers are running, I have never been running the Logojet when the power is knocked out but would awesome it would do the same.

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Eric Beauchamp
Naples Awards Inc
Naples FL
239.774.2410
------------------------------

I am writing this response during a thunderstorm that has already made the power flicker a few times. Being in Florida, lightning is an almost daily occurrence, and our local power frequently fluctuates. We have a battery backup on every computer and machine, and they have saved countless hours of productivity.

The thing to remember is to test them often. The batteries typically last a few years, and are easy enough to replace, but you have to make sure they are charged and functioning properly on a regular basis. Having one with a dead battery is frustrating when you think you are protected but are not.

We use mostly APC brand, but we have several Cyberpower as well. The prices can vary quite a bit, as some units have advanced features that allow remote shutdown during a power-outage, and web-based monitoring of the device and power conditions. There are even 220V models if you have bigger machines.

When selecting a unit, the main things to be aware of are the output capacity and run-time of the UPS. You will want to make sure it has enough wattage to run the machine you want it to run, and enough run-time to allow you to finish a job or at least shut it down safely.

I hope this helps!

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Brian Hershberger CRS
B-J Trophies Awards and Gifts
Ocala FL
325.732.2249
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Brian - Thanks for the detailed info. Good point about the run time capacity. These are my goals:

• Remove the need to stop a running process during a storm
• Let the current job run until done. If we can run additional items that's a bonus.

I'll be shopping for a bunch of UPS units today. 

------------------------------
Bill Collier
Arch Engraving
Fenton MO
314.966.8800
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2025 08:36
From: Brian Hershberger
Subject: UPS for UV printer and other production equipment?

I am writing this response during a thunderstorm that has already made the power flicker a few times. Being in Florida, lightning is an almost daily occurrence, and our local power frequently fluctuates. We have a battery backup on every computer and machine, and they have saved countless hours of productivity.

The thing to remember is to test them often. The batteries typically last a few years, and are easy enough to replace, but you have to make sure they are charged and functioning properly on a regular basis. Having one with a dead battery is frustrating when you think you are protected but are not.

We use mostly APC brand, but we have several Cyberpower as well. The prices can vary quite a bit, as some units have advanced features that allow remote shutdown during a power-outage, and web-based monitoring of the device and power conditions. There are even 220V models if you have bigger machines.

When selecting a unit, the main things to be aware of are the output capacity and run-time of the UPS. You will want to make sure it has enough wattage to run the machine you want it to run, and enough run-time to allow you to finish a job or at least shut it down safely.

I hope this helps!

------------------------------
Brian Hershberger CRS
B-J Trophies Awards and Gifts
Ocala FL
325.732.2249
------------------------------

Bill

After 30 years as a telephone repairman, I've seen it all when it comes to surges and lightning. From welded copper to network interfaces blown off the house. We have APC UPS units on everything in the house. TV's, computers, engravers, printers, etc. Low cost, I think they are $60-75 range. These are also available on a larger scale for those items that draw more current. We also have a surge protector behind the meter provided by our Coop. I highly recommend doing whatever it takes to minimize voltage spikes. APC has even replaced a couple of their units under warranty. These small ones last about 6 years. Don't forget to plug your cell phone chargers into these as well.

Your lights may flicker but your equipment won't.

BL

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Bryant Liddle
B-Line Engraving
Fulton MO
573.220.0080
------------------------------

Thanks, Bryant.

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Bill Collier
Arch Engraving
Fenton MO
314.966.8800
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2025 10:00
From: Bryant Liddle
Subject: UPS for UV printer and other production equipment?

Bill

After 30 years as a telephone repairman, I've seen it all when it comes to surges and lightning. From welded copper to network interfaces blown off the house. We have APC UPS units on everything in the house. TV's, computers, engravers, printers, etc. Low cost, I think they are $60-75 range. These are also available on a larger scale for those items that draw more current. We also have a surge protector behind the meter provided by our Coop. I highly recommend doing whatever it takes to minimize voltage spikes. APC has even replaced a couple of their units under warranty. These small ones last about 6 years. Don't forget to plug your cell phone chargers into these as well.

Your lights may flicker but your equipment won't.

BL

------------------------------
Bryant Liddle
B-Line Engraving
Fulton MO
573.220.0080
------------------------------

We have a battery backup unit attached to every piece of equipment. Typically they are made by APC or cyberpower. In addition, there is a surge protector on the panel where the power comes in. We occasionally have a power blip, but typically the battery backup covers up. Small price to pay.

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Lisa Higginbotham CRM
Owner
FiveStar Awards & Engraving
Cary NC
919.954.1130
fivestarawards.net
lisah@fivestarawards.net
------------------------------

Thanks, Lisa.

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Bill Collier
Arch Engraving
Fenton MO
314.966.8800
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2025 10:41
From: Lisa Higginbotham
Subject: UPS for UV printer and other production equipment?

We have a battery backup unit attached to every piece of equipment. Typically they are made by APC or cyberpower. In addition, there is a surge protector on the panel where the power comes in. We occasionally have a power blip, but typically the battery backup covers up. Small price to pay.

------------------------------
Lisa Higginbotham CRM
Owner
FiveStar Awards & Engraving
Cary NC
919.954.1130
fivestarawards.net
lisah@fivestarawards.net
------------------------------

My shop is located at one of the higher elevations in our community.  It is also located in an odd place on the grid that will occasionally have an outage on sunny days when the rest of the city is just fine.  Because of that I do run APC battery backups and surge protectors on all workstations containing equipment.  That's been a lifesaver for me on a few occasions.  You will roll through the batteries in these units.  Do not waste your money on APC branded batteries.  I remember early on I pealed back an APC battery label and found under that the label of the manufacturer.  That same company sells the exact same battery for a fraction of the cost on Amazon.  I buy batteries from the same manufacturer for our emergency exit lights in the building.

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David Takes
Expressions Engraved
Saint Joseph, MO
816.232.6000
------------------------------

From what I have experienced in costs of the less-expensive APC units (we have at least a dozen) I wouldn't replace the batteries, as they look to be about as much as a new UPS. I recommend replacing the entire unit. It's ability to "protect" will diminish over time as well. If they have done their duty, it will not be evident that it could be providing surge protection at a lower level. (Just my opinion.) And please recycle as with all electronics.

------------------------------
Bryant Liddle
B-Line Engraving
Fulton MO
573.220.0080
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2025 10:41
From: David Takes
Subject: UPS for UV printer and other production equipment?

My shop is located at one of the higher elevations in our community.  It is also located in an odd place on the grid that will occasionally have an outage on sunny days when the rest of the city is just fine.  Because of that I do run APC battery backups and surge protectors on all workstations containing equipment.  That's been a lifesaver for me on a few occasions.  You will roll through the batteries in these units.  Do not waste your money on APC branded batteries.  I remember early on I pealed back an APC battery label and found under that the label of the manufacturer.  That same company sells the exact same battery for a fraction of the cost on Amazon.  I buy batteries from the same manufacturer for our emergency exit lights in the building.

------------------------------
David Takes
Expressions Engraved
Saint Joseph, MO
816.232.6000
------------------------------

Thanks, David. 

------------------------------
Bill Collier
Arch Engraving
Fenton MO
314.966.8800
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-22-2025 10:41
From: David Takes
Subject: UPS for UV printer and other production equipment?

My shop is located at one of the higher elevations in our community.  It is also located in an odd place on the grid that will occasionally have an outage on sunny days when the rest of the city is just fine.  Because of that I do run APC battery backups and surge protectors on all workstations containing equipment.  That's been a lifesaver for me on a few occasions.  You will roll through the batteries in these units.  Do not waste your money on APC branded batteries.  I remember early on I pealed back an APC battery label and found under that the label of the manufacturer.  That same company sells the exact same battery for a fraction of the cost on Amazon.  I buy batteries from the same manufacturer for our emergency exit lights in the building.

------------------------------
David Takes
Expressions Engraved
Saint Joseph, MO
816.232.6000
------------------------------