Ups for 3d printer

Best Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for 3D Printers 2022

Jackery And 3d Printer (Image credit: Windows Central)

Power cuts are par for the course out here in California and in many places around the world. Even a one-second power cut to your 3D printer is enough for a 22-hour print-to-stop to be ruined. An Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) like the CyberPower CP1500 will keep power flowing to your printer via high-capacity batteries and magic (OK, maybe not real magic), so you should never have to worry. If you're looking to get started in 3D printing, then a UPS is an important first step. Here are the best UPS for 3D printers.

CyberPower CP1500 Intelligent LCD UPS System

The one I use

This was the first UPS I used on my 3D printers, and it works wonderfully. Using a system called Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), the CyperPower regulates all the power going into your printer so you have a consistent feed of electricity at all times, even when the power goes out. The 1500va and 900w battery backup is enough to get you through about 15 minutes of a power outage.

APC BackUPS Pro

Hot swappable batteries

Like most of the UPS on this list, the APC BackUPS has AVR and the added bonus of hot-swappable batteries. This gives you the option of changing batteries out with replacement batteries to keep your UPS running for longer. Anything you can do to keep your printer running until the power comes back is a good thing.

CyberPower Sinewave UPS System

Powerhouse

This one is for those of you with multiple printers you want to attach to the same UPS. With eight battery backup sockets and a whopping 1540w of power, the Sinewave is a powerhouse and will keep your printers going for much longer than the standard UPS. It also comes with a three-year warranty covering you for $300,000 of connected equipment damage to rest easy.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000

The overkill you need

The Jackery 1000 with solar panels is a little different from the rest of the UPS options in this list. The solar panels allow it to generate power while in use, and in my Jackery 1000 review, I used it to power a 3D printer for almost 11 hours. If you know you are likely to have a long power cut for the day, then a Jackery might save you from printing delays.

CyberPower Compact UPS System

Budget power

While this is a perfectly good UPS for keeping a server or router going for an hour or two, it isn't going to give you more than five or six minutes of printing time. However, if you live in an area with a fairly good track record of tiny outages, then this could work for you. Sometimes you only need it to last 10 seconds anyway, so why spend a fortune?

Goal Zero Yeti

Good for travel

The Yeti is slightly different from the other UPS in this collection. It's designed for charging multiple devices while traveling or in an emergency rather than being attached all the time. Because of that, however, it's a great purchase if all you want is a UPS for planned outages at your home as well as using it for its original purpose: travel.

Forza - UPS 1000VA

Small and cheap

This is another budget offering, this time by Forza. The smaller UPS work great if you aren't using a heated bed since the stepper motors use such a small amount of power. So if you're using a printer without a heated bed or don't use it when you are printing PLA, something like the Forza may be just enough to keep you going in a short power outage.

CyberPower PR3000

Small business protection

This is overkill for a hobbyist with one or two printers, but if you're a small business owner using 3D Printers, this one UPS could power them for as long as you needed to get a backup generator running. Its 3000va 2700w batteries will keep a rack of printers running for at least an hour, and the three-year warranty covers $375,000 of equipment.

Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

These UPS will give your 3D printing a fighting chance when it comes to power outages, and really, the bigger, the better when it comes to power. If you're lucky and live with constant power but still want a UPS as added security, remember to use your UPS occasionally anyway. The batteries need to be used, so they don't fail when you need them most.

Most 3D printing people choose the APC BackupPro for their UPS needs from the research I have done, but I am partial to the Jackery 1000 as it has many other applications, not just as a battery backup. I've used the Jackery to power a printer at a talk I gave on 3D printing, and it worked so well I forgot it wasn't on mains power at all.

Get the best of Windows Central in in your inbox, every day!

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

James built his first PC when he was 13 and has never looked back. He can be found on Windows Central, usually in the corner where all the 3D printers are, or huddled around the Xbox playing the latest games.

How To Choose UPS Battery Backup For 3D Printer? – DIY Appliance Repairs, Home Repair Tips and Tricks

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission at no additional cost to you

3D printers can print virtually anything that you design on a computer. However, the printing process must run uninterrupted for extended periods to succeed. A UPS battery backup is vital for 3D printers, as even a brief power outage could cause a failed print job.

Choosing a UPS battery backup for your 3D printer begins with identifying which critical devices you need to keep the 3D printer running. Then, consider the power supply risks in your area. Next, calculate your backup power needs and shortlist UPS models that can provide the necessary power. Lastly, choose the UPS with value-added features that support your 3D printer’s operations.

This guide will walk you through a step-by-step process of choosing a UPS battery backup for your 3D printer.

How Do I Choose A UPS Backup Battery For A 3D Printer?

3D printers have unique backup power needs. You’ll have to understand those needs and match them with your UPS options to find the best model for your needs.

Here are the steps you can follow to find the best UPS backup battery for your 3D printer:

Step 1: Identify Critical Devices

The first step to choosing the best UPS battery backup is to decide which devices are the most critical and require UPS protection.

Never forget that all UPS models have limited resources, regardless of their brand or how much you pay for them.

Those resources are their backup battery capacities and the number of power outlets (i.e. the number of devices you can connect to it at one time).

Of course, your 3D printer is the most critical device you want to protect with the UPS. But are there others as well?

Depending on your 3D printer setup, you might also want to provide backup power for things like:

The computer that your 3D printer is connected to.
The WiFi router that your 3D printer connects to, primarily if the printer is controlled and monitored remotely.
Multiple 3D printers operate in the same place, like if you’re running a printing business.
Any other supporting devices you need for your 3D operator to function correctly.

At this step of the process, you’ll want to list down all the devices you use. Then, narrow down that list by identifying the critical ones that require a UPS battery backup.

Read: How To Choose UPS Battery Backup For Desktop PC? – Troubleshooting Guide

Step 2: Understand Your Risks

Next, you must understand the risks you face regarding the power supply in your area.

Is your area prone to blackouts or other power disruptions? And when they happen, do they typically occur for brief periods or several hours?

Understanding your risks is crucial to ensure you don’t under or over-invest in the UPS battery backup you purchase for your 3D printer.

Let’s look at two examples:

Example 1: Suppose your area is prone to frequent blackouts that only last a few seconds each time. In that case, you won’t need to buy a UPS with an excessive battery capacity to keep your 3D printer running.
Example 2: Suppose blackouts or voltage disruptions only rarely happen in your area. But when they do, they can last for an hour or more. In that case, you’ll want to consider investing in a UPS with a high battery capacity to keep your 3D printer running for longer.

Remember: you can buy a UPS with as high a battery capacity. However, the higher the battery capacity, the more expensive it’ll be. That’s why it’s best to find one with just enough battery capacity for your particular needs.

Read: Why UPS Not Working In AC Mode?

Step 3: Calculate Backup Energy Needs

Now comes one of the most crucial steps in this process. When choosing the best UPS battery backup for your 3D printer, you must calculate your backup energy needs.

These calculations are crucial for two reasons:

The UPS backup battery must store enough power to keep your 3D printer running during a blackout.
The battery capacity also affects how long the UPS can power your 3D printer, particularly during extended blackouts.

The battery capacities of different UPS models are typically measured in volt-amps (VA). The higher the VA, the more backup power the unit can provide.

Start by calculating the VA needs of your 3D printer and other devices. You can sometimes find this information in the user manual.

Alternatively, you can calculate it manually by multiplying the printer’s voltage and amperage (volts x amps).

Then, multiply that figure by x1.2 to add a 20% safety buffer. Doing that will give you a total that includes your VA needs and an additional 20% extra battery capacity.

Once you have that total figure, you can compare it with the VA ratings of the UPS models you’re considering.

Read: How Reset APC UPS After Battery Replacement?

Step 4: Shortlist Suitable UPS Units

Just because a UPS model has a sufficient battery capacity to cover your VA requirements doesn’t make it the best choice for your 3D printer.

That’s why it’s worth taking the time to shortlist a few suitable UPS units with sufficient VA requirements.

A shortlist allows you to compare different models based on price, battery capacity, and other value-added features.

Read: How To Choose UPS Battery Backup For Garage Or Attic? – Troubleshooting Guide

Step 5: Consider Value-Added Features

The final step in this process is to compare your shortlisted UPS battery backups based on their value-added features. That includes features like:

LCD screens and other indicators
UPS management and monitoring software
Different form factors (e.g. one that fits on your desktop or one that stands independently)
And more.

When providing backup power for 3D printers, an important feature is support for hot-swappable batteries.

Some UPS models allow you to switch out their batteries even when the device runs during a blackout. That will enable you to keep the UPS working for much longer because you can replace a drained UPS battery with a fully-charged one.

That ability to replace the battery without shutting down the UPS is called ‘hot-swappable’.

As you might imagine, a UPS that runs longer because of hot-swappable batteries can keep your 3D printer running indefinitely during a blackout as long as you have enough batteries.

That can be a lifesaver if you work on high-priority 3D printing jobs.

Read: How To Choose The Right Size UPS Battery Backup? – Troubleshooting Guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) that you’ll find helpful for understanding your 3D printer and its UPS needs:

What Happens If Power Goes Out While 3D Printing?

A power outage while 3D printing can cause a failed print. However, that depends on your 3D printer and whether or not it has power-loss recovery features. Still, having a UPS battery backup reduces the risk of a failed print during a blackout.

What Happens If You Leave A 3D Printer On Overnight?

Leaving a 3D printer running unsupervised overnight is dangerous. That’s because no one is around to monitor the printer and shut it down if problems like short-circuits occur. Connecting the 3D printer to a UPS can reduce the risk of electrical faults from voltage spikes, but the printer should always be supervised.

Can A Power Outage Damage A 3D Printer?

A power outage can cause temporary damage to a 3D printer. Disruptions in the power supply can cause the printer’s components to malfunction. As a result, digital files could become corrupted. A UPS battery backup would reduce the risk of damage.

Can You Stop A 3D Print And Resume It Later?

Yes, you can choose to stop a 3D print that’s in progress to continue later. However, you can’t stop it manually during a sudden power outage. A UPS battery backup would provide power for long enough that you can pause the print job safely to resume later.

Does A 3D Printer Require Internet?

No, a typical 3D printer is connected directly to a computer through a USB cable. Some 3D printer models might require the internet if they are controlled remotely. You should only connect the router to your 3D printer’s UPS battery backup if the printer is controlled or monitored remotely.

UPS for PC and 3D printer

Personal diaries

Subscribe to the author

Don't want

Short-term (up to 5 minutes) interruptions occur almost every other day, and once a month there are interruptions for 30 minutes or more.

From the beginning, the IPPON SMART 1000 UPS worked with all this disgrace, but soon it could not stand it, taking with it two swollen and discharged batteries. There was a problem with swelling of the batteries before, the conditions are too "hard" for them in the "hot" UPS case. nine0003

I interrupted my long agony of choice on an interesting subset of UPSs, the so-called "UPS for boilers". assembly 12V) or an old car battery. It is distinguished by compact dimensions of 146x205x113 mm and a weight of 2.9 kg, the use of an external battery and "limitless" duration of work on it. My record is 4:12 an hour. (with a short break / shutdown to replace the battery). nine0003

That is, in normal mode, the UPS is located on a table shelf with a compact battery, and in case of long interruptions, it is transferred to a car battery on a checkable balcony and feeds the necessary consumers along a 20 m extension cord.

This was the plan of use, but life has made adjustments. The velo batteries turned out to be very tenacious at my max 80W load (4K-32 monitor, working PC G5420 + SSD and phone with a lamp), they last more than 2 hours, until the UPS considers them discharged. Car battery (5 years on the car), holds no more than 30 minutes. nine0003

CyberPower turned out to be a very thoughtful device:

1) very quiet in standby mode (mains operation), once a week it turns on (fan noise) test or just recharges the battery for a couple of minutes and that's it.

2) Yes, the 120mm fan is loud when charging or discharging, but this is the least of the problems when there is no light around.

3) Charges the battery with a current of 4A and since the fan blows quite strongly in charge / discharge mode, I put the battery behind the fan and it cools perfectly in critical operating modes. nine0003

4) Compact size, easy to store on a shelf or carry.

And of course, that in addition to a PC, I connected my mini 3D printer to this miracle device. It does not yet have a heated table, and it does not consume very much, and the UPS eliminates the time-consuming operations to restore printing after a power loss.

It's been exactly a year since Santa Claus brought this wonderful device, for those who choose a UPS for themselves, I recommend paying attention to this class of devices.

P.S. The PC and printer are fine with switching to battery operation, but the unnamed LED lamp begins to flicker noticeably, you need to look at its power supply, but for now I just turn it off.

UPS UPS

Subscribe author

Don't want

Best uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for 3D printers

Best Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for Windows Central 2020 3D Printers

Power outages are par for the course here in Southern California and in many places around the world. Even a stop of one second is enough to stop and destroy the 22-hour print. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) like the CyberPower CP1500 will provide power to the printer through high capacity batteries and magic (okay, maybe not real magic) so you never have to worry. Here are a few you should check out. nine0003

The one I use: CyberPower CP 1500
Hot Swap Batteries: APC BackUPS Pro
Power Plant: CyberPower Sinewave
Budget Power: CyberPower Compact
Good for traveling: Goal Zero Yeti
Small and cheap: Forza 1000va
Small Business Protection: CyberPower PR3000

This was the first UPS I used on my 3D printers and it works great. Using a system called AVR - Automatic Voltage Regulation - CyperPower regulates all the power going to your printer so you get a constant supply of power at all times, even when the power goes out. The 1500V and 900W backup battery is enough to last approximately 15 minutes of a power outage.

$145 on Amazon

Like most UPSs on this list, the APC BackUPS has an AVR, but with the added bonus of hot-swappable batteries. This gives you the option to replace the batteries with replacement ones to keep your UPS running longer. Anything you can do to keep your printer running until power returns is good.

$190 at Amazon

This is for those of you who have multiple printers that you want to connect to the same UPS. With eight outlets for battery backup and a whopping 1540W of power, Sinewave is a powerful source of power and will keep your printers running much longer than a standard UPS. It also comes with a three-year warranty that covers $300,000 for damage to connected equipment, so you can rest easy. nine0003

$500 at Amazon

While this is the perfect UPS to run a server or router for an hour or two, it won't give you more than five or six minutes of printing time. However, if you live in an area with a pretty good track record of tiny blackouts, then this might work for you. Sometimes you only need 10 seconds, so why spend a fortune?

$100 at Amazon

Yeti is a little different from the other UPSs in this collection. It is designed to charge multiple devices while traveling or in emergencies, rather than being plugged in all the time. Because of that, though, it's a good buy if all you want is a UPS for planned outages in your home, as well as using it for its original purpose: travel. nine0003

$200 on Amazon

Another budget offering, this time from Forza. A smaller UPS works great if you don't use a heated bed because stepper motors use such a small amount of power. So if you're using the printer without a heated bed, or if you're not using it when printing PLA, something like Forza might be enough to get you out of the short circuit.

$80 at Amazon

It's out of the question for a hobbyist with one or two printers, but if you're a small business owner using 3D printers, this UPS can power them for as long as it takes to run the backup generator. 3000va 2700W batteries will keep the printer running for at least an hour, and a three-year warranty covers $375,000 in hardware. nine0003

$950 at Amazon

These UPSs will give your 3D printing a fighting power outage, and the more the merrier when it comes to power.