UPS Power Supplies

[Steevo]

Looking into a UPS power supplies to run an automatic gate. It's a 36v system unfortunately which makes things a bit awkward as I can't find anything that will run 36v directly.

The other option therefore is to run a UPS on the 230v incoming power feed, but I'm concerned that the UPS system will eat up all its juice in 20 mins by stepping the 12v batteries inside up to maintain a minimal 230v supply at the transformer.

Is this a valid concern? or will it maintain a minimal backup supply for several hours on end?

 

[rollestonpark]

1 of our electric gates runs of 2 x 12v batteries and solar, because there is no power nearby.
It's a NICE electric gate system, are you sure it's 36v and not 24v, I often seem our gate at 28-30v because 2x12v batteries and solar/charging is mostly more than 24v.

I would not try to run gates off a UPS, I'd run a 24v battery system with a charger.

 

[TechWise]

An arrangement of 12V batteries and a trickle charger (solar or mains) seems like a better solution here. As you rightly point out, you're converting the mains to DC to charge the batteries in your UPS then the UPS converts that back to 230Vac then the gates convert it back to 36V DC again Not a very efficient arrangement IMO

 

[Steevo]

Thanks both.

Confusingly it looks like the board runs on 36v, but the motor is actually a 24v. Not simple.

Have had the manufacturers system fitted for a few years but it gave me doubts last week after a power cut in the night and it was dead as a dodo come morning. Gave it a test on Friday and it managed over 80 continuous open/shuts on the backup battery pack (a shrink wapped set of AA batteries). Can't really fault that overall.

Manufacturers battery pack is connected directly to the board with 4 wires and an extra circuit board. Haven't tested the wires to see what is what.

 

[rollestonpark]

Can you get any specs on it? The board might have a voltage range on it, if it's like 23 - 36v , (which is about what the NICE ones are) then 2x 12v batteries and a small charger would probably do it.
Probably DIY install for not much?

 

[Steevo]

Can you get any specs on it? The board might have a voltage range on it, if it's like 23 - 36v , (which is about what the NICE ones are) then 2x 12v batteries and a small charger would probably do it.
Probably DIY install for not much?

This is the board. If it was as simple as finding the right wires then I might rig up a bit larger battery on the system but 80 cycles seemed pretty impressive to me. It just seemed strange that over a few hours overnight it managed to flatten itself - when I get time I might turn it off and keep popping back to see it every so often to test how long it does last.

All access control accessories are run from a separate 12v power supply with a pair of 7Ah batteries.