I have a low power NAS (~35W) and I want to buy an UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to keep things running. The problem is most UPS for well known brands have an idle power usage (even without load) greater than 20W. It’s comprable with the NAS + HDDs + Network equipment…
Do you know any alternative? UPS battery for 10 minutes will be enough. UPS load could be very low < 50 W. UPS software is optional.
For such a small load, you may consider those surge protectors/power stripes with battery backup, e.g. APC Back-UPS 600VA. Or you can take a more DIY route and try those DC UPS circuits if your low-power NAS supports direct DC input, i.e. it has a barrel jack for power.
isn’t that an UPS but in a different shape?
A UPS will have a load. It’s got to keep the battery healthy.
They are intended to keep a more vital system up. Generally a NAS is the backup target. And you’d keep the computer is it the target for on the UPS. Maybe the NAS too.
You can probably get away with a desktop UPS. But the power draw is always going to be a factor. The NAS is designed to stay on all the time. So is low power draw.
I will have a power load of 35W 24/7 for years. I’m using the unloaded power consumption as a proxy to measure the UPS consumption/efficiency. In my case a total power consumption (UPS + 35W load) of 40W will be acceptable, 55W won’t.
The UPS has to cycle the battery for its health. This takes power. The 20W will be the recharge.
There is nothing you can do about that. If you DIY your own, without putting battery healthcare. It will fail when you actually need it. And sometimes catastrophically.
I understand. There are Anker power banks for laptops with 65w. They should be more efficient but I don’t have data about the long term use. I guess the battery will last less than the UPS batteries.
Those will not be UPSs they will be power banks. Most Powerbanks are lithium. Lithium requires careful monitoring if it is constantly float charged. And they fail catastrophically when over charged.