03-22-2015, 08:12 PM
Thank you Erik, interesting stuff there. I'm no expert on UPS systems but can assure you ours is not a cheap off-the-shelf system! We had to order new batteries recently and all one ton of them was delivered by a truck.
No matter, I'll do a bit of research to see if we can get something better. I don't recall the cost of our UPS but suspect it was a few hundred thousand dollars. Not something we can replace every couple of years as the technology improves, but maybe one day we'll replace it as funding allows.
Our UPS is designed to keep the essential systems going so the observatory can be closed down in the event of a significant power failure.
However, when that UPS was installed, we typically only experienced one or two power failures a year. In the last three or four years, Helco power outages at the summit have increased exponentially. It's a serious problem for all the telescopes, especially as many are now switching to remote operations.
No matter, I'll do a bit of research to see if we can get something better. I don't recall the cost of our UPS but suspect it was a few hundred thousand dollars. Not something we can replace every couple of years as the technology improves, but maybe one day we'll replace it as funding allows.
Our UPS is designed to keep the essential systems going so the observatory can be closed down in the event of a significant power failure.
However, when that UPS was installed, we typically only experienced one or two power failures a year. In the last three or four years, Helco power outages at the summit have increased exponentially. It's a serious problem for all the telescopes, especially as many are now switching to remote operations.