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Burning Sensation

S

Shmuckety

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
1,919
I recently (10 minutes ago) went through a lightning storm. My pc has a UPS and an Antec TruePower 2.0 550W. Lightning struck when I was playing HL2: Deathmatch and my computer froze. I turned it off by holding the power button down. I tried to turn it back on and nothing.

I unplugged it and gave it some time. When I came back to my computer I smelled something bad. It was coming from my Antec 550W. I turned it back on and everything seems fine except for the smell.

I am worried about using this PSU now. Possibly something got fried, but did not kill it. Do you think that Antec would replace it for me even though it is not totally dead? I have only had it for maybe 6 months.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me or do you think all is well?

 
Computer plugged directly into the wall, eh?
 
No. I said in the post that I have a UPS. computer>UPS>wall

I am gonna try to e-mail antec and see what they say.

 
Weird. What kind of UPS allows your power supply to get zapped in a lightning storm?

Does it even have AVR?
 
I'd call Antec regardless. I wouldn't want a power supply with a burning smell.
 
I've worked as a hardware tech in the past and the companies I've worked for never covered lightning strikes as they fall under the "act of god" catagory. If anything does fail, you may have a guarantee on your APC to protect whatever is plugged into it.
 
jonnyGURU said:
Weird. What kind of UPS allows your power supply to get zapped in a lightning storm?

Does it even have AVR?
Click to expand...

I guess this one does :mad:

Maybe it was a fluke that this happened now, but I find that hard to believe.

 
Shmuckety said:
I guess this one does :mad:

Maybe it was a fluke that this happened now, but I find that hard to believe.

Click to expand...

No. It's not a fluke. That's a horrible UPS.

First, it doesn't have AVR.

Second, it's a stand-by UPS and not even line-interactive, which means that even at the point where lightning would cause a brown out or spike, the half second transfer time between running off of AC and DC alone could fry something on the primary side of the PSU.

RMA the PSU.

Take the UPS and use it on something that it's more suited for, like your coffee maker or paper shredder.

Buy at least a line-interactive UPS that has AVR.
 
So would it help if I plugged the UPS in to a surge protector? I don't feel like spending any more cash if that would help in a lightning situation.

 
Shmuckety said:
So would it help if I plugged the UPS in to a surge protector? I don't feel like spending any more cash if that would help in a lightning situation.

Click to expand...

No. That won't help. That won't help at all.

Good luck.
 
Won't the surge protector protect the PSU from the power surge? I don't understand what you are saying here. You have already been very helpful, but can you recommend a UPS that is not really expensive, but has AVR and is line-interactive?

 
That's overkill, but it'll work.

You can get 1000VA Line Interactive UPS's with AVR for under $100.

Perhaps broaden your horizons beyond Newegg. ;)

Surge strips only isolate transients, but they do not regulate voltage. That's why a strip wouldn't help. Only if there was a voltage spike, which there may not have been in the first place.
 
Check the manufacturer's website. If it doesn't say one the manufacturer's website, then go with a different manufacturer.

And remember, Newegg isn't the only vendor out there. You might be able to find a good deal at ZipZoomFly too.
 
If you think 330W will be enough, sure.

I don't know if it's line interactive or standby, but I guess it could be line interactive. Although the could make it standby by just putting an AVR right at the AC input.

I hate plugging products, but it doesn't seem like you're really looking to hard, so if I may point you in a direction that you can give or take:

Ultra: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=770423&Sku=ULT31502

Energizer: http://www.microsupport.net/cfdocs/details.cfm?product=MS068070

Powercom: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270705 (Free freight might make a difference)

All are 1000VA/100W, Line Interactive UPS for around $100. The one at ZZF has free freight.
 
I finally got my rma number from antec. It only took 2 weeks. It tooks so long I bought a Hiper PSU in the mean time. It's very sexy, I love it.

 
Sorry but, the title Burning Sensation sounded like you needed a doctor. Good to hear all is well. BTW Shmuckety is a very cool name! :D
 
Just an update. I just got a new PS from Antec. If anyone has to RMA their PS to Antec be prepared to wait at least a month. They seem to be in some kind of transition. :(

 
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