Some inverter and UPS related questions

Factual Questions
1

I have a mains AC device that is connected to a typical computer UPS as a power backup. The AC device is turned on for about 4 minutes per day via a relay controlled by another device.

Normally the UPS battery capacity should be enough to last weeks, since the AC device works so infrequently. The problem is that the UPS, even in standby mode draws something in the range of 1.5A@12V. This will run the battery dry in a matter of hours.

I’ve thought of adding a relay that uses the same signal that turns on the AC device to turn on the UPS on-demand but have some questions:

  1. Is the inverter (or AC device) going to be damaged if they are both turned on at the same time?

  2. The UPS has a soft-touch power button, ie a button that has to be kept pressed for 1-2 seconds to bring the device on. How can I wire a relay to turn the UPS on?

2

You’d need some logic to initiate a “dry” switch closure for two seconds, then count down 15 seconds or however long it takes for the UPS to come online and be stable, then activate the AC device.

This assumes the UPS can even be started without any mains power. I have seen some that use incoming AC power to operate those “soft-touch” start-up curcuits, and there’s no way to fire them up if the power is already out.