What Specifications Would a UPS Need to Have to Run a 50-Inch Television and Wi-Fi Router for 3 Hours?

Powering a 50-inch television and a WiFi router for 3 hours requires careful consideration of various specifications such as power consumption, battery size, and inverter type. This article will guide you through the necessary calculations and provide detailed information on the required specifications.

Evaluation of Electrical Consumption

Let's begin by evaluating the electrical consumption of your devices. A 50-inch television typically consumes around 100 watts per hour (w/h), while a Wi-Fi access point or combo router can consume about 20 w/h. Adding these together gives us:

Television: 100 w/h Wi-Fi Router: 20 w/h Total Consumption: 100 w/h 20 w/h 120 w/h

Multiplying by 3 hours, we get:

3 hours * 120 w/h 360 w

Accounting for Efficiency

However, it's important to account for the efficiency of the inverter, which is generally around 88%. This means that the actual power consumption will be higher:

Power Consumption with Inverter: 360 w / 0.88 413.64 w Adding 30 watts for some inefficiency: 413.64 w 30 w 443.64 w

For simplification, we can round this up to 450 watts. Thus, a UPS with at least 450 watt capacity is necessary.

Battery Size

To calculate the battery size, let's first convert the power consumption from watts to amps:

450 w / 12 V 37.5 A

For lead-acid batteries, assuming a 50% discharge rate, we need a battery size as follows:

Frequent use (several times a week): 37.5 A / 0.5 75 A-h battery Rare use (less than once a month): 37.5 A / 0.7 53.6 A-h battery

For lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo) batteries, assuming a 60-80% discharge rate, we need:

Frequent use: 37.5 A / 0.8 46.8 A-h battery Rare use: 37.5 A / 0.7 53.6 A-h battery

Inverter Specifications

Not all television sets work well with computer UPS as they often require a pure sine wave. Here are some options to consider:

Option 1: Split Setup

If you are okay with a manual switch-over, you can use a pure sine wave 500-watt inverter. Additionally, purchasing a cheap 3-amp automatic charger like a Battery Tender can help keep the battery in good condition.

Option 2: Automatic Backup Function

Inverters with automatic backup functions, which switch automatically without manual intervention, can be expensive. For example, an AIMS Power 1000-watt invertercharger is a good option. Prices for the smallest model can start around $1000 and include a charger.

Option 3: Upgradable Computer UPS

You could also purchase a computer UPS, offering the flexibility to upgrade the battery. Most inverters with a capacity between 650 VA and 1500 VA have batteries ranging from 8 to 16 AH. However, some models can be modified to use an external battery, though this conversion can be complex.

Option 4: Solar Generators

Some 'solar generators' combine an inverter, MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charger, and a battery. For example, one popular model provides around 2H40 runtime. Note that recharge options may vary, but many do accept solar panels as well as AC adaptors.

Conclusion

Selecting a suitable UPS for your 50-inch television and Wi-Fi router involves understanding your power requirements and choosing the correct inverter and battery size based on your usage scenario. Whether you go for a manual switch-overs, automatic backups, or more advanced options, it's crucial to pick a device that meets your needs in terms of power consumption and operational frequency.

If you need further assistance with choosing the right UPS, feel free to consult with a professional to ensure optimal performance and reliability.