[SGVLUG] small UPS recommendation?

[Gibbs, Donald E (314D)]

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.

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.

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.

Thanks for all the responses.

  --Don
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