Do small home UPS's usually release firmware updates?

carrierPigeon

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 22, 2017
Messages
162
I am thinking about buying a UPS. Here is the model that I have my eyes on-- https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/product/ups/avr/cp800avr/
Cyberpower CP800AVR

However, one thing that I like to check out now before I buy technology is what "after the fact" firmware updates look like. I am mainly interested in security updates and it seems to me that some manufacturers really don't continue to support their hardware for long (I am talking about hardware in general, not just UPS's). Then again, I'm not always sure when it's the manufacturer stopping support vs there just really being nothing that needs patching.

1) do small, home UPS's really need firmware updates? Of course, I'm talking about UPS's that can connect to another device (for example, a UPS with a USB port)
2) Is there a way to get a "read" (or can someone speak about the past) on how good this or other manufacturers will be at staying on top of things? Maybe some sort of a guaranty on how long the manufacturer will support the device?
 
The home version are generally USB connected so no particularly major security concerns.
The enterprise versions sometimes have FW updates for the remote management controllers and snmp/network communique cards, but are usually few and far between.

To my knowledge the home versions aren't really updated unless there is a critical issue.
APC/cyber usually just release a new revision and if its bad enough recall the initial version.
 
The home version are generally USB connected so no particularly major security concerns.
The enterprise versions sometimes have FW updates for the remote management controllers and snmp/network communique cards, but are usually few and far between.

To my knowledge the home versions aren't really updated unless there is a critical issue.
APC/cyber usually just release a new revision and if its bad enough recall the initial version.
Thanks. Not surprised at your answer because I was doing some more research and I found this in the APC FAQ's (mentions some models/product lines with information about how to update the firmware).
https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/index?page=content&id=FA164737&actp=search&viewlocale=en_US
I have mainly been considering UPS's at around the $100 price point. I searched some of the ones listed in the FAQ and those turned out to be much more expensive.
What do you mean by this sentence?
"APC/cyber usually just release a new revision and if its bad enough recall the initial version."
Mainly, I don't understand the part about "recall the initial version." The only thing that I could think you might mean is recall the hardware in warehouse and store inventory and change the firmware?
 
Basically if there is a medium to minor problem with the unit, they will resolve it by releasing v1.1 compared to v1.0 which might have a different controller, lcd, or board that had increased failure etc.
By recall the version I'm referring to from the customer/consumer, if it was a bad enough problem that it was a safety or legal concern, a true item recall (similar to kids toys/cups etc).
Both APC and Cyber have solid stuff, I cant think of any in recent memory, the last one was a surge protector that could overheat/catch fire from before 2003.
 
I would stick to APC... I have had lots of issues with Tripp Lites and Cyberpowers over the years. I have some APC 1500 big boys that are over 10 years old. Just needed battery changes.
 
I have some really expenive Eaton units (APC suuuuuucks, they kill batteries after 2~3 years tops) in my rack and I think the last firmware update for them was 3 years ago? and that was just for the network card don't think there have been any updates to the UPS software itself
 
I would stick to APC... I have had lots of issues with Tripp Lites and Cyberpowers over the years. I have some APC 1500 big boys that are over 10 years old. Just needed battery changes.
I use Linux mainly and in my research I was not finding that APC makes software for Linux. But, there is open source software available for some models. Perhaps APC contributes to the open source project (I don't know). But, nice to have two software options in case support for one ends. At the store where I was buying (had some store credit) I think a comparable APC model was a lot more expensive. Also, I like to support companies that develop for Linux (and say that they support Linux) by buying their product.
 
I use Linux mainly and in my research I was not finding that APC makes software for Linux. But, there is open source software available for some models. Perhaps APC contributes to the open source project (I don't know). But, nice to have two software options in case support for one ends. At the store where I was buying (had some store credit) I think a comparable APC model was a lot more expensive. Also, I like to support companies that develop for Linux (and say that they support Linux) by buying their product.
There is an APC daemon called apcupsd for windows/unix (theres even some variations for android/esxi/webmin), unRAID has it built in and it works perfectly for my APC units.
Its this one: http://www.apcupsd.org/

Its not gui, but it has all the needed funcitons to call battery life, heath status, run time, watts being used, time to shutdown, remaining percentage to shutdown, etc.
 
I've had good lucky with my APCs, i have a pair of the 1500BX and one 1300BX, they're going on 7 years now and 2 of them started complaining about the battery health declining finally (replaced the 3rd about 2 years ago).
 
I use APC and Conext units and have had little issue with them. I do not recommend Cyberpower units because they're proprietary trash. Quite a few of their units use proprietary battery sizes, and most of those units have non-serviceable batteries (ie. no battery door, you have to take the whole unit apart.) Finding batteries that work in those units is usually either very expensive or impossible. Modding them to accept a standard battery is also usually not possible, unless you want the battery outside the unit, which isn't a great idea.

The build quality of Cyberpower units are also questionable at best. I've had to repair a few of them with blown mosfets and power transistors because zero thermal compound was used between the mosfet/transistor and the heatsink, and because some don't have a heatsink at all, when it is absolutely required. They don't have long service life in the field in my experience, and I replace them with something that isn't garbage.
 
Is there a better source for batteries? APC. Better than OEM?
 
I normally get them from APC on amazon, they're about $50 which is generally 10-15/year breakdown for my average.
 
I have some really expenive Eaton units (APC suuuuuucks, they kill batteries after 2~3 years tops) in my rack and I think the last firmware update for them was 3 years ago? and that was just for the network card don't think there have been any updates to the UPS software itself
I use APC for everything at home, Everything has lasted over 3 years on the same set of batts with an average of 5-6 years. (My record is 7 years)

Been using PowerSonic batteries after the originals die with good luck. My oldest one is a Smart-UPS 3000 RM XL is from 2004, had it's 3rd set of batteries installed 3 years ago and does a self test every 2 weeks.
 
Is there a better source for batteries? APC. Better than OEM?

The best place to get batteries is from a parts house like ADI or Anixter. The gotcha is that you must have a business with a Tax ID and have an account, they don't sell to the public. I get batteries for well below what even Amazon has in their junk pile, but I get quality brands like Yuasa or Universal Battery.

APC and most places that sell batteries have stupid markup on them. Like APC wants $40 for a bog standard 12v 7Ah battery, when I can get them for around $15.

You gotta be careful on Amazon and elsewhere that sells batteries. There are quite a few fake rated batteries which use shorter and/or thinner lead plates and shorter cells, which are padded with plastic to make them not look suspicious. They are however immediately suspicious when you pick them up, they're sometimes a lot lighter. You can't always go by price either, they're all over the map, whatever the seller thinks they can get away with.
 
Back
Top