DssW - Power adaptors

Remote shutdown

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:23:54 -0500

Huge <Huge@nowhere.much.invalid> wrote:

> I have a requirement to remotely shut down my Mac Mini (when the machine
> that's monitoring the UPS decides there's not enough battery left).
>
> Is there any reason why I (or rather, the script) shouldn't ssh to it and
> issue the appropriate "shutdown" command? Or is there a more Mac-ish way
> of doing this?

ARD will let you shut down from the Apple menu.

One way street though,

Jan

12-volt car power adapter

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:50:16 -0500

JohnOK <jmhufford@gmail.com> writes:

>I see that Apple offers a product, Magsafe-Airline-Adapter, for powering
>the Macbook while flying but Apple warns against using this product in a
>car.

>So, are there third-party 12-volt car power adapters for the Macbook?

AFAIK, no. Apple has refused to license the Magsafe design to anyone
that makes such adapters.

Also, that Apple unit does NOT charge the battery; it only powers
the box. I suspect it produces only one of the two outputs the usual
"elephant ears" 120V adapter/charger has.
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12-volt car adapter

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:06:43 -0500

I'm seriously considering replacing my Windoze based Dell laptop with a
MacBook. One of the things I do with my laptop is use it as a navigation
device while driving my RV back and forth across the country. I have a 12-
volt adapter that I plug into the 12-volt accessory socket to keep the
laptop perking along for the 8 to 10 hours I'm on the road each day.

I see that Apple offers a product, Magsafe-Airline-Adapter, for powering
the Macbook while flying but Apple warns against using this product in a
car.

So, are there third-party 12-volt car power adapters for the Macbook?

will powerbook uk plug adaptor fit airport express?

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 03:12:33 -0500

As per heading. I'm thinking of bidding for an airport express which
only has a US plug. Will the (white) adaptor from my powerbook power
pack fit this? It looks as if it might, but I can't be sure...

TIA

--
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Recommended UPS?

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:07:07 -0500

My power has just gone down *again* (third time this week) and I've finally
decided it's time to get myself a UPS.

Unfortunately for me, I know nothing about UPS's so can anyone recommend
something that would support two computers for a minute or so?

TIA

advice on a UPS and surge protector

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:39:56 -0500

A recent power outage has convinced me that it would be a good idea to
consider a surge protector and uninterruptible power supply. Does
anyone have recommendations on what to look for? Is there any reason to
buy both a surge protector and UPS?

battery backup units

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:50:21 -0500

I just bought my first-ever battery backup unit (an APC brand 750A
model). The inspection sheet taped to it is dated 11-17-05. Is this
normal? Is the battery as good as new when it's been sitting on a shelf
for two years? (One terminal needed to be connected by me, the consumer,
per the instructions.)

UPS

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:50:34 -0500

Hi All,

I am about to buy an APC UPS, can't decide on either a CS 500 or RS 800.
iMac 24, second 20" monitor, external 500GB HD are all I am concerned
about at the mo. Don't really need extended work time, just safe
shutdown execution time; but multiple recovery in the course of the day
is occasionally an issue.

Anyone have experience with these?

regards

Chris

Uninterruptible power supply

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:15:38 -0500

Lately, for reasons unknown (and my electrician reckons unknowable
without *major* testing) my earth leakage circuit breaker trips
occasionally and takes out all my power. So I am thinking of getting a
UPS, but finding it quite difficult to get the full details of
connections, etc.

It isn't my computer itself that concerns me, as this is a laptop, but
external hard drives that may be working when the power goes. I am quite
happy to have my machine shut down, so that the hard drives will also
spin down normally.

Things that concern me.

1. APC is well thought of, but its own software seems poor. I gather
that when I have a UPS connected there will be a setting in Energy Saver
inviting me to shut down the machine automatically after a certain time
on battery. I take it that this will automatically save open files. I am
likely to be away from the computer at the time there is a failure. What
happens if some program "cancels shutdown", as has happened to me once
or twice (very rarely) when I wanted to shutdown or restart my machine?

2. I gather the automatic shutdown is governed by a USB connection. Can
this go through a hub? Otherwise one does not have enough USB ports.
Presumably, such a hub if powered (which is what I have) would need to
be connected to the UPS.

3. Annoyingly, the APC model that does NOT have a USB connection will
take British plugs, whereas the better model has the computer/kettle
sockets. All my equipment has British plugs. I am sure there is a
connector easily available, but I am wondering if I can get one
connector and plug in a standard multi-socket into which the other
equipment would fit.

It's really only the external hard drives that worry me (I am expecting
to upgrade from my current PowerBook, but it is more likely to be to a
MacBook(Pro) than an iMac). Everything else should not worry too much
about power suddenly going off.
--
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Send e-mail to the Reply-To address;
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MagSafe adaptor in Cardiff

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:02:34 -0500

I need a MagSafe adaptor for an hour or so for a friend who's visiting
and forgot his - is there anyone round here who happens to have such a
thing available for an hour's borrowing?

Daniele

Smaller MacBook Pro PSU

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 21:42:44 -0500

<http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/20/apples-macbookpro-85w-magsafe-adapter-finally-shrunk/>

Very

welcome change.

Cheers,
Ian

Magsafe adaptor failure

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 09:24:19 -0500

The adaptor on my less than 10 month old macbook has started to fray/
melt near the connector. It also gets dangerously hot!!

After doing a bit of googling, it appears this fault is rather common.
What are my chances of getting a free replacement?

Ipod charging question

Sat, 26 May 2007 07:21:25 -0500

I have a 40gb iPod bought for christmas.

When I charge it by mains plug it charges fine but when it is charged in the
dock it comes out with little/no power.

Anyone got any ideas why or how to combat/solve problem?

Cheers

Gof

Recommendations for UPS for Mac OS X / Server

Sat, 19 May 2007 12:56:14 -0500

Hi all,

I've decided it's time to bite the bullet and upgrade my UPS (when the
power went out a couple of weeks ago I discovered the battery only had
about 2 minutes worth of charge!).

There are loads of UPSes on the market, of course. Can anyone
recommend a model that will allow for graceful shutdown in the event
of a power cut? I've read a range of opinions about the APC Powerchute
software. I've also read a couple of posts about "Apple's support for
UPS in the Energy Saver preferences" but can't see anything on either
Mac OS X or Server on my network.

Anyway, any pointers welcome as usual.

Thanks,

Ian.
--

UPS for MAC Pro?

Mon, 07 May 2007 20:21:12 -0500

I will be purchasing a MAC Pro as soon as the release of Leopard comes out,
so I am currently focusing on all the software and hardware that I want to
get for my new MAC. I am currently a PC user and I have seen the light. I
have been converted.

I have been looking at a Belkin UPS to use with the MAC Pro but from the
tech specs I noticed that the MAC Pro has a max rating of 6A on 240V (what
we have here in the Aus & in the UK). That's 1440watts. I can't seem to find
a UPS that is that big, besides massive cabinets used in the corp. world.

Has anyone else found and is using a UPS for their MAC Pro?

UPSes again

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 20:49:57 -0500

Having been primed by the chat out these just recently, we had a power
outage tonight.

So there I was, being slowly driven mad by the plaintive cheeping of
the (mains) smoke detector system for two bloody hours while the local
electricity monkeys tried to fix the local substation multiple times,
not to mention protectively switching _off_ the house mains loops
while they bounced the power up and down... and the grilfiend charges
downstairs about 40 minutes in saying "If you don't disconnect this
bloody alarm so I can get to sleep I'll rip it off the ceiling and
throw it out the window". At this point I decided I needed a nice
sturdy UPS for a computer or two, routers, network kit and the
damnable alarm system.

Since I hang around in uk.comp.sys.homebuilt with the sort of folks
who build racks, I had an old saved message from a trustworthy poster
recommending a few sellers on eBay. Off I toddle, to find that one of
them - "ups-trader" - had a 1400VA 2U APS lump available for �84 all
in (�65+p&p). Extra cheap due to missing fascia.
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SU1400R2IBX120

So I've bought two, since a battery set would cost at least �45+p&p.
Sod those nPower muppets, I shall be fully mains independent for at
least half an hour!

Now I just need somewhere to put them... 30 kilos each. Nice.

Cheers - Jaimie
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UPS now installed.

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:47:25 -0500

Righto, the shiny new Belkin UPS arrived today. Gave it the full charge
up, and it's now installed an working fine.

I initially installed it using the built in OSX UPS support, and it
worked as soon as I plugged in the USB lead. However, the menubar info
is useless, it just says "unknown time until full". I can set the
shutdown details OK in all the sliders too.

However, I have also now installed the BullDog software from Belkin, and
that gives so much more control. Again, it just seems to 'work'. I like
the Input/Output display, and the ability to shedule battery tests, as
well as the 'loading graph. None of which OSX handles.

I have the G5 (with Formac 17" on the ADC port), the external drive box,
and my HP widescreen 20" TFT plugged into the Battery Backup sockets,
and it's showing 49% loading. I plugged the remaining peripherals,
scanner, printer, USB hub and speakers, into the Surge Protect socket,
using a plain 5 way block (These are generally only used one at a time,
and the scanner and printer are off most of the time).

My only concern is the possible conflict between the two shutdown
softwares, so I'll have to have a play with that I think. I might try
setting them so that one just never operates.

--
Andy Hewitt
<http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/>

Do I need a UPS?

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 01:03:28 -0500

Following my recent panic over my failed system after a recent power
outage, I'm wondering about getting a UPS.

We do suffer with a lot of 'brown outs' here, and the occasional flash
power cut (like the recent one).

I'm presuming a UPS will alleviate this issue, but I've never needed to
look into these before, so have a couple of queries.

I'm assuming that I'll need to more or less match the maximum power
consumption of my Mac - the dual G5 1.8 rates at 605W. Looking around
this would suggest I need at least a 1000VA UPS, possibly may be better
at 1200VA (going by the published ratings).

Is it essential to have a Mac compatible one? Again, I'm assuming that
this will only matter if I want it to shut down the Mac properly in the
event of a sustained power outage.

A little browse around various sites had found a couple of reasonably
priced possibilities - one from Unitek (Misco are doing a 1600VA one for
just under �90), and there seems to be a 100VA Trust jobby around too.
There's also a company on eBay doing refurbed (i.e fitted with new
batteries and 12month wrty) APC 1200VA units.

Any advice?

--
Andy Hewitt
<http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/>

UPS Energy Saver control pane

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:48:01 -0500

I've always had a UPS connected to my Mac, and now want to use it.

I replaced my APC unit with one from TrippLite since it was advertised as
being controllable from the built-in Energy Saver control panel.

Sure enough, a UPS menu item and associated control pane show up, but the
controls are disabled. Energy Saver apparently sees the device and its
charge, but I can't control the actions (like shut down five minutes before
it runs out of juice).

Anyone know how to enable these controls?

-- Thanks, Verne

UPS + 10.4

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:39:17 -0500

Hi, Can anyone recommend a brand of Uninterruptible power supply that
works well with OSX 10.4?
I'm thinking of the ones that have a usb port and software to shut down
the mac cleanly if the UPS kicks in.
Arthur

PowerMac deadness following power cut

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:55:27 -0500

We had a power cut here for a couple of minutes this morning. Most of
our machines are on UPS or surge suppressors, but sod's law dictated
that this one PowerMac wasn't.

It doesn't boot. At all. The power light is on on the monitor (17"
Cinema Display, TFT - the one with the power light and switch at
bottom right).
When I touch this, the light comes on brightly and then fades again to
normal brightness. Pressing the power switch on the computer makes the
light come on for a second and then off again. So power is clearly
getting to the computer and there is some response to trying to start.

But there is no sound of anything happening in the computer - no fan,
no disk startup, nothing.

Any thoughts, anyone?

macfizz.
--

Is the a LIGHT SOCKET to 120v Converter?

Sun, 11 Feb 2007 07:24:01 -0500

I'm being serious here guys...

Is the a LIGHT SOCKET to 120v Converter?

Some places in the world don't have electrical outlets... just light
bulb sockets.

Is there a device that can convert a traditional light bulb socket that
a bulb goes into... into a regular 120v outlet that a powerbook can be
plugged into?

You know it sounds weird... but Car Adapters are common... wondering if
any heard of a light socket adapter?

................................................................
Posted via TITANnews - Uncensored Newsgroups Access
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there are LIGHT SOCKET to 120v Converters!

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 02:36:09 -0500

Zello Yello wrote:
> I'm being serious here guys...
>
> Is the a LIGHT SOCKET to 120v Converter?
>
> Some places in the world don't have electrical outlets... just light
> bulb sockets.
>
> Is there a device that can convert a traditional light bulb socket that
> a bulb goes into... into a regular 120v outlet that a powerbook can be
> plugged into?
>
>
> You know it sounds weird... but Car Adapters are common... wondering if
> any heard of a light socket adapter?
>
>
>
> ................................................................
> Posted via TITANnews - Uncensored Newsgroups Access
> >>>> at http://www.TitanNews.com <<<<
> -=Every Newsgroup - Anonymous, UNCENSORED, BROADBAND Downloads=-
>

I bought one, for my porch light socket, that has dual polarized 120VAC
outlets, PLUS the bulb screws into the bottom, so the light still works!
And, there is a pull chain switch!

Walmart, K mart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace hardware all carry them,
in dark brown, or white! Less than $2.00!

http://lowes.com and search it:

Item # 72574
Model # 718B-SP-L

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/032664/032664270604sm.jpg

AND,

Cooper Wiring Devices
Medium Base Pullchain Socket Adapter with Two Polarized Outlets

Item #: 72575 Model: 718V-SP-L
$1.93
Contact store for availability details.

End of Miseries in sight, Whee!

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:59:07 -0500

After weeks of searching for a viable way to run a Mac on 208 vac, there
seems to be a breakthrough.

Gadd, I hope no other Mac user has to go through this.

What a circus.

I am in the final stages of negotiating with a custom transformer
builder for the step-down xfmr I need.

Gotta knock down my raw 250 vac to what the UPS needs, 208 vac input.

My UPS will grind out 208 vac to the Mac, with a beefy 13.0 amps rms
behind that 208 vac.

The Mac Pro itself will only use 6.63 amps, but I have a bunch of big
printers and other stuff that will use the rest of the 208 vac juice.

Most other custom xfmr builders wanted $2000, so I had to do a heck of a
lot of shopping to get the price down to something semi-reasonable, in
this case about $700. (negotiation still in progress on price)

Mark-

Pismo power adapter

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:38:58 -0500

My Pismo battery died earlier this year but I didn't replace it as I was
content just to use mains power. Despite working fine the Pismo now
won't start up using the power adapter. Pressing the reset button has no
effect. Visually I can see nothing wrong with the power adapter, plugs,
or leads, and the adapter gets warm when connected to mains power. I've
no immediate access to another Pismo or adapter. Do these adapters just
have a finite life or should I suspect a fault with the Pismo itself? TIA
Tony

Car Charger for Macbook Pro?

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:32:47 -0500

I just ordered one of the new Core2Duo MBP's. I ordered the airline
adapter but I know that the airline adapter won't work with car
chargers. My question, is there a car charger available for it? Even
if it's 3rd party that's fine as long as it works. I travel some by
plane but obvoiusly could get much more use out of a car charger.

Battery recall cockup

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:37:30 -0500

Called up UPS today to collect my old battery. They turns up, and hand
over another new battery. Yes, Apple, in their infinite wisdom, has now
sent me TWO batteries to replace the one 'dodgy' one.

Now I'm pondering, dare I hang on to this 'spare' one and keep quiet
about their error, or be a fine unstanding citizen and send it back?

Decisions decisions... ;)

I wonder how long it'll take before they start chasing up non-returned
'dodgy' batteries. It's not as if they've indicated a time limit or
anything.

--
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UPS that works well with Tiger

Sat, 12 Aug 2006 03:50:39 -0500

Any recommendations on an affordable (750 VA or so) that works perfectly
well on tiger (i.e. can shot that mac down smoothly)?

Thanks.

G5 and Belkin battery backup ... trouble?

Tue, 30 May 2006 19:40:57 -0500

I bought a Belkin 375VA battery backup unit to give me time to
gracefully shut down the G5 the next time PG&E has one of their
momentary power failures -- something that seems to happen at least once
a month where I live.

Belkin's software no longer supports OS X ... and I've found a number of
reports on the Net regarding general trouble using this unit with Macs.

When I plug in the USB connection, the Energy Saver panel recognizes the
unit, and gives me an option to shut down when the unit's running off
the battery.

Unfortunately, whenever I have the USB cable connected, I get a popup
saying I'm running off battery backup ... then the Energy Saver shuts
the machine down.

Has anyone gotten the Belkin to work with Energy Saver properly?

Or should I return this unit and if so, what battery plays well with OS
X?

Surge Protectors

Tue, 23 May 2006 18:13:04 -0500

I was recently told by an "expert" that surge protectors deteriorate
over time and the protection is lost.

Is this true? At what interval should one get a new protector? Is it
any help to connect two in series (ie, more protection, longer life)?

TIA