Help me calculate the UPS power

[Bill_Bright]

"Diesel" generators are typically used to power large facilities (with >10 - 15KW demands) for hours and hours.

Do the math!

1Ton is equivalent to just 12,000BTUs. That is basically a small to medium sized "window" air conditioner that can run off plain ol' 115VAC.

8 computers, a few lights, network gear and a small AC is a tiny requirement.

A simple 3KW gas generator would support your needs just fine. Bump it up to 5.7KW like this one, and you can keep your refrigerator, microwave oven, and big screen TV running too. And you can roll it out when needed, and lock it away when not. Note the 7,125 "starting watts" rating covers the extra demands for when that AC or refrigerator cycles on.

I cannot the imagine the AC demands in Canada will be excessive much of the time. So with its 6 gallon tank at 50% load, it gives you 9 hours of run time. And being gas instead of diesel, your fuel expenses will be cheaper, and typically gasoline is easier to find than diesel, unless you live near a truck stop, or in Europe where many cars are diesel. And gas generators are quieter too.

In the cold months, you can easily run your gas forced-air furnace as they only need electricity for the initial spark and to run the fan - much less than the AC needs.

I would still run your computers (and big screen TV) off several "good" UPS with AVR. This will keep them running during the power cutover from mains to generator. But more importantly, the AVR (automatic voltage regulation) will smooth out any power anomalies too. Just ensure they are quality UPS as they will be able to tolerate the waveform from the generator.

Another alternative would be a permanently installed natural gas generator. These are great if you have frequent, extended outages. But obviously they are more expensive to purchase and must be installed by certified electricians and gas technicians. And if you ever move, it stays.

 

[R-T-B]

I actually think the OP does need AC. Many parts of northern North America get incredibly hot, and frequently humid for short periods of time, despite the widespread belief evident here that it's a winter wonderland 12 months a year.

He's in Canada though. The warmest parts of it do occasionally get hot, sometimes, when the stars align you MIGHT get 90 degrees (F) for a few days.

That's the hottest I've seen in a bit. And I'm from Washington, which is like mini-British Columbia, arguably the most temperate part of Canada.

 

[dorsetknob]

Spring in Canada

Summer sunbathing in Canada

The Fall in Canada

Winter in Canada

they are 'ard in Canada even the cats

 

[taz420nj]

"Diesel" generators are typically used to power large facilities (with >10 - 15KW demands) for hours and hours.

Do the math!

1Ton is equivalent to just 12,000BTUs. That is basically a small to medium sized "window" air conditioner that can run off plain ol' 115VAC.

8 computers, a few lights, network gear and a small AC is a tiny requirement.

A simple 3KW gas generator would support your needs just fine. Bump it up to 5.7KW like this one, and you can keep your refrigerator, microwave oven, and big screen TV running too. And you can roll it out when needed, and lock it away when not. Note the 7,125 "starting watts" rating covers the extra demands for when that AC or refrigerator cycles on.

I cannot the imagine the AC demands in Canada will be excessive much of the time. So with its 6 gallon tank at 50% load, it gives you 9 hours of run time. And being gas instead of diesel, your fuel expenses will be cheaper, and typically gasoline is easier to find than diesel, unless you live near a truck stop, or in Europe where many cars are diesel. And gas generators are quieter too.

In the cold months, you can easily run your gas forced-air furnace as they only need electricity for the initial spark and to run the fan - much less than the AC needs.

I would still run your computers (and big screen TV) off several "good" UPS with AVR. This will keep them running during the power cutover from mains to generator. But more importantly, the AVR (automatic voltage regulation) will smooth out any power anomalies too. Just ensure they are quality UPS as they will be able to tolerate the waveform from the generator.

Another alternative would be a permanently installed natural gas generator. These are great if you have frequent, extended outages. But obviously they are more expensive to purchase and must be installed by certified electricians and gas technicians. And if you ever move, it stays.

You do the math.. 12,000 BTU is NOT a 'small' window unit. That's about as big as window units come. They run 1200 to 1500 watts. And depending on how built these computers and server are, assuming high end gaming rigs they can be 500-600 watts apiece. I know my servers pull close to 500 watts apiece. So 8 machines that's 4000 watts right there (not including monitors) - blows your 3kW suggestion right out of the water.

And diesel generators come in all sizes, including portables and small installs. And you are forgetting this is a commercial venture, not a residence. Commercial electric codes are very strict, and unless the OP intends to buy the space, a tenant is usually barred from performing any electrical work themselves. It must be done by a contractor. So unless you are suggesting that the OP run extension cords out the window, this must all be permanently installed.

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

8 computers, ~4kw @ 500w ea, and an ac, probably a 10-15kw generator depending on the AC specs, if it's full building, probably upwards of 15k for safety.

Batteries will not suffice.

A commercial building will need a sufficient switchover device installed as well, and they would be better able to advise you on the needs.

 

[rtwjunkie]

In any case, it's been two days now and the OP has not come back. We should all give this a breather until he is able to come back and make things clearer for us, don't you think?

 

[dorsetknob]

he's probably snowed in and cannot get online
but sure everyone should hold back untill he can update his post

 

[Aquinus]

You do the math.. 12,000 BTU is NOT a 'small' window unit. That's about as big as window units come.

I was agreeing with you right up to this point. Where I work the AC units we have are window units that are 28k BTUs that run on split phase 208v AC. 12k BTU is a big unit for residential but not for a business. We use such ACs to cool not just our servers in the summer but our employees as well. I think they were something like 600 USD each and we needed to have special runs made for them thanks to the whole 208v split phase thing.

he's probably snowed in and cannot get online
but sure everyone should hold back untill he can update his post

Be careful with statements like that. Latitude isn't the only thing that determines how hot or cold it gets, being next to the ocean (like the UK,) brings temperature up at higher latitudes because of the warmth of the ocean. That why places like Juneau, Alaska and Vancouver, BC don't get as cold as they would if they were say, in the dead center of Canada where it is a whole lot colder.

Either way, I think @rtwjunkie is right. We should sit on this a bit so the OP has time to think about everything that has been said if he even decides to get back to us.

Also a little bit of extra thanks to @Bill_Bright . I think he has made some of the best recommendations so far in his post. It hits just about every angle of the matter; very well thought out. Thanks buddy.

 

[taz420nj]

I was agreeing with you right up to this point. Where I work the AC units we have are window units that are 28k BTUs that run on split phase 208v AC. 12k BTU is a big unit for residential but not for a business. We use such ACs to cool not just our servers in the summer but our employees as well. I think they were something like 600 USD each and we needed to have special runs made for them thanks to the whole 208v split phase thing.

When someone says 'small to medium' window unit, it's in reference to a 5,000 to 8,000 BTU unit designed to cool one room. A 28K BTU unit isnt really designed to be in a window, it's designed to be in a wall. Someone just installed them in your windows.

 

[Aquinus]

When someone says 'small to medium' window unit, it's in reference to a 5,000 to 8,000 BTU unit designed to cool one room. A 28K BTU unit isnt really designed to be in a window, it's designed to be in a wall. Someone just installed them in your windows.

Touche however, I wouldn't consider 28k a "large" unit when talking about business but, you're right. They're probably meant to be in a wall however, it's hard to cut a hole in brick. I consider units to be large when you start getting into ductless split territory; like a Mitsubishi HyperHeat that can run in the winter even with really low ambient temperatures, but that's me.