# Keeping the internet running when the electricity goes off.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 20, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776 "2013-05-20T00:50:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/1 "2013-05-20T00:50:20Z")
I have a wireless DSL modem/router connected to my APC UPS. Last night, during a thunderstorm, the electricity went off as it often does and I lost all access to the outside world (our cellular reception is awful). I immediately powered off my PC to save my UPS. I was surprised that my modem only lasted for an hour. Also, it made an annoying beep every minute or two. I’d like to come up with a longer lasting solution as my power was off for over 4 hours.
I was thinking about getting a spare car battery, putting in on a trickle charger and hooking my inverter up to it as necessary. The modem looks like it draws a maximum of 8 watts. I assume that my 400 watt inverter will waste a lot more power than the modem actually draws.
I _think_ that this should more than meet my needs but I’m also sure that there are better solutions available. I just don’t know what they are. Since batteries are 12VDC and my modem takes DC input, there should be a way to go directly to the modem without the use of the inverter and its associated waste.
Any advice would be appreciated.
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### Author:  [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/2 "2013-05-20T01:17:46Z")
Sounds like all you need is a cable with the right connector for the modem hooked to the battery. After the battery is fully charged, you want to hook it to a battery maintainer rather than a full fledged charger. You’ll also want a sealed or gel cell battery so there’s no possibility of an acid spill.
Here’s a link to a unit similar to the one I use on my tractor in the winter.
[http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CITK8S/ref=mp\_s\_a\_1\_1?qid=1369012553&sr=8-1&pi=SL75](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CITK8S/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1369012553&sr=8-1&pi=SL75)
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### Author:  [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/3 "2013-05-20T01:32:55Z")
a DC to DC converter would likely waste less power though you would need one with the specifications needed for the modem (if modem not 12V).
for sake of convenience the inverter works. it would likely power the modem for as long as your computer would run on batteries.
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### Author:  [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/4 "2013-05-20T01:34:02Z")
You want a deep cycle battery instead of a regular car battery.
> **[What is the difference between a normal lead-acid car battery and a deep...](https://auto.howstuffworks.com/question219.htm)**
>
> What is the difference between a normal lead-acid car battery and a "deep cycle" battery? I have a trolling motor on my boat and I don't see why I can't use my car's battery with it rather than spending another $80 on a deep cycle battery.
> **[Deep-cycle battery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_cycle_battery)**
>
> A deep-cycle battery is a battery designed to be regularly deeply discharged using most of its capacity. The term is traditionally mainly used for lead–acid batteries in the same form factor as automotive batteries; and contrasted with starter or 'cranking' automotive batteries designed to deliver only a small part of their capacity in a short, high-current burst for cranking the engine.
> For lead-acid deep-cycle batteries there is an inverse correlation between the depth of discharge (DOD) of t...
You can get them at Walmart, etc.
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### Author:  [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/5 "2013-05-20T01:41:05Z")
> [@johnpost](#):
>
> a DC to DC converter would likely waste less power though you would need one with the specifications needed for the modem (if modem not 12V).
>
> for sake of convenience the inverter works. it would likely power the modem for as long as your computer would run on batteries.
I’m looking to run the modem for my phones, iPads etc. The UPS will only run the computer and monitor for about 15 minutes. I need a much longer lasting solution than the UPS.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/6 "2013-05-20T01:44:11Z")
For a couple hundred dollars you can get a little Honda Generator that will be way more then sufficient to run your modem, router, keep your laptop charged and probably still have enough juice leftover to keep your TV (and TiVo/Cablebox) up and running as well.
[Here’s](http://www.amazon.com/All-Power-America-APG3014-Generator/dp/B00265M9TM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1369014278&sr=8-7&keywords=honda+generator) one that’s 2000 Watts for $200. A really good UPS is going to cost that much. There was a 4000 Watt one for $300 as well.
Just keep a tank of gas, a couple of extension cords and some power strips on hand and you’ll be good to go.
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### Author:  [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/7 "2013-05-20T02:00:14Z")
Hamsters.
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### Author:  [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/8 "2013-05-20T02:28:31Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#):
>
> I have a wireless DSL modem/router connected to my APC UPS.
So you voids the warranty on the UPS, maybe, but how about
1. Put a switch on to mute the beeping
2. Put an external battery connector on, so when you want you can connect in your external huge battery… You are extending the time the little baby UPS can run, not its power …
Note you must do this in a way to make it safe in terms of electric shock, fire and chemical danger (Toxicity, acidity and explosion), and thats not an exhaustive list.
Is this some mad thing I dreamed up just now ? Ran it for years , to provide protection ..it was cheap as the battery was not inside a big box,APC etc charge a fortune for the big box. ! 🙂
The UPS has circuits designed to switch in the inverter when required, so that you don’t run the inverter full time. If you run the inverter full time, then you constantly drain the battery… and its inefficient to run inverter all the time, and wears the inverter out.. Just add capacity to the UPS with external battery.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/9 "2013-05-20T02:56:09Z")
A generator is your best bet. It will also keep cell phone, laptop and UPS batteries charged.
A bottled propane generator is your best bet. No hassles with stale gas. The motor will require less maintenance. One bottle of propane will keep you going for quite a few days.
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### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/10 "2013-05-20T03:34:40Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#):
>
> For a couple hundred dollars you can get a little Honda Generator that will be way more then sufficient to run your modem, router, keep your laptop charged and probably still have enough juice leftover to keep your TV (and TiVo/Cablebox) up and running as well.
>
> [Here’s](http://www.amazon.com/All-Power-America-APG3014-Generator/dp/B00265M9TM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1369014278&sr=8-7&keywords=honda+generator) one that’s 2000 Watts for $200.
Read some of the reviews. There are many that suggest that this particular product and manufacturer are not to be trusted; the generator cannot deliver what is advertised, the product arrives in inoperable condition and the warranty is not honored. Way too many negative reviews for my taste.
If the OP wants a generator to tide him over, there must be better ones out there.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/11 "2013-05-20T03:47:40Z")
> [@Musicat](#):
>
> Read some of the reviews. There are many that suggest that this particular product and manufacturer are not to be trusted; the generator cannot deliver what is advertised, the product arrives in inoperable condition and the warranty is not honored. Way too many negative reviews for my taste.
>
> If the OP wants a generator to tide him over, there must be better ones out there.
I honestly just picked the first thing that came up when I typed in “Honda Generator”. If I were the OP and went with a generator, I’d do my own research, but I’m not, so I didn’t.
Having said that, I’ve never heard anything bad about Honda generators, so maybe it’s that particular model…Ha!, I just clicked on the link and I realize that even though I searched for a Honda generator I got some off brand I’ve never heard off.
Okay, well looking around on Amazon, a 2000W Honda is going to be closer to $1200 (I thought $200 sounded really cheap), but it looks like you can get a 2000W Honeywell for $600 or a 800W Generac for $300. Honeywell and Generac are both names that I would trust to start my search with, though I wouldn’t be surprised if the Honeywell one is something else that they rebadged.
But, like I said, if the OP goes down that road, he should do his own research, not count on mine.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/12 "2013-05-20T04:04:50Z")
$200 for a generator seems too cheap to me. I’d be concerned about one that cheap.
You can get them at Sams for about $500. Here’s a 3500 Watt propane one for $494 from Sams Club. Thats enough to run your fridge, tv, and computer/DSL in a power outage.
> **[Generators & Accessories - Sam's Club](https://www.samsclub.com/b/generators/2040)**
>
> Buy power generators at low Sam’s Club prices. Latest portable gas generators and electric generators are available online.
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### Author:  [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/13 "2013-05-20T05:18:53Z")
On some of these cheap generators you need to be careful of the quality of the electricity they put out.
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### Author:  [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/14 "2013-05-20T11:21:57Z")
> [@PastTense](#):
>
> On some of these cheap generators you need to be careful of the quality of the electricity they put out.
Dirty electricity, am I right?
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### Author:  [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/15 "2013-05-20T13:13:06Z")
My biggest issue with a generator (and believe me, I’ve considered it) is that if I get one, then I’d want it to power my well-house too. To accomplish that would require a transfer switch, an electrician and Og knows what else. If I were convinced that I’m going to be staying in this house long term, I’d do it. As it is, I’ll probably be moving within the next couple of years.
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### Author:  [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)
#### Post date: [May 20, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-the-internet-running-when-the-electricity-goes-off/658776/16 "2013-05-20T16:56:04Z")
[QUOTE=Maserschmidt]
Dirty electricity, am I right?
[/QUOTE]
Yes, cheap gennies make cheap power. They will attempt to maintain 120 volts under varying load, but the frequency will wander, and there will be “static” in the power from arcing/dirty slip rings.
If you want to run electronics with a portable generator, there’s Honda, then there’s everyone else. Not meaning to promote Honda, but their -i series generators produce DC internally to power an inverter, so the power stays clean and on frequency. There are other brands with inverters, but Honda has been the leader of this particular product category for quite a few years. Another plus is that Honda figured out “quiet” with these things. Your ears, and your neighbors will appreciate the near silence.
Just be sure to secure it. Thieves appreciate these little red generators just as much as their owners.