Folding Forum

Joe_H wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 4:16 am As long as you use an USB connected UPS that follows the USB standards for HID devices connected to the system you will know whether or not the power is "out".

You may not want to use the provided software for Windows. That has sometimes been reported to interfere with the battery vs. wall power status being available to the F@h client to handle pausing or shutdown. Windows already has the basic settings to start a shutdown if a UPS status is that it is operating off battery instead AC.

Asking sellers, one said (translated):
"Good morning, the advanced HID interface allows you to connect it to the PC via the PowerMaster Plus Local software.
In the (Advanced->Setting) section, you can create scripts that the software will launch when the condition occurs. The scripts must be saved in the extcmd folder where Power Master + Local is installed. Once the script is created, it will be displayed in the Command combo box.
The script can be associated with a specific event (shown in the attached image) out of the 12 supported ones."
Attaching this image:

Joe_H wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 4:16 am P.S. Don't undersize the UPS. Runtime and battery life is very short if you are operating one at over 50% of its VA capacity. That is not the same as watts, typically they are allowing for a power factor in the 0.7 range. Personally I only buy in the 1200-1500 VA range for my systems, smaller units are used for things like my cable modem and router.

As for this, I'll probably take the advice. It'll be more expensive, but will serve me for longer, spreading the cost over the years. Also given the fact that backup time seems to be exponential rather than linear (one model will give me 30" at 360watts, the other double the battery capacity will give me 5 mins - according to specs from same manufacturer). Counterintuitive to me, but that's the specs.

Now I'll just look for one properly sized that isn't noisy, maybe with smart fan. I wouldn't want to spend a lot, tho.

Also, my concern remains how to know if it works with Folding and BOINC. Some say not all HIDs will work with Folding, some say it should be okay. If I'm wrong I'll need to send it back, covering the expenses (it'll be my fault).

Some vendor said that the UPS has a battery icon on Windows, which will be substituted if I install the software. Does that mean it works as I need? Is it sufficient or should I check more?

Tropical Snowman wrote: ↑Thu Nov 27, 2025 1:01 pm Some vendor said that the UPS has a battery icon on Windows, which will be substituted if I install the software. Does that mean it works as I need? Is it sufficient or should I check more?

That should be sufficient. First try and see if the battery status shows up in the client by testing to see if it pauses if you disconnect the AC. Try it another time if you do install and run their software. It may or may not intercept the battery status detected by the OS and keep it from being passed on directly to the folding client.

Otherwise, unless you really splurge for an UPS with LiFEPO4 batteries, plan on needing to replace the lead-acid batteries every 3-5 years. They usually are standard gel batteries, you can often get replacements cheaper from 3rd party suppliers than from the UPS maker.