Does APC _really_ sell UPSes?

I have wasted many hours (as well as phone calls to Addis Ababa) in attempts to BUY a BX500CI configured for 240VAC at 50Hz for use in Addis Ababa.

Such a beast is not available in the USA, as all (home use) units available here are 120v 60Hz, and APC refuses to even consider rewiring / reconfiguring a US model.

They seem to be available in Egypt and Ethiopia, and perhaps in Addis Ababa - making this request potentially simple and easy.

Then again, APC UPSes seem to be available here.

I am beginning to wonder if APC _makes_ them, as responses to e-mail queries are not exactly responsive, to say the least.

Does anyone in this NG have a contact (in US or Ethiopia) that knows how to (a) read, AND (b) respond in a positive manner?

Reply to
Robert Baer
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Den mandag den 14. juli 2014 21.04.11 UTC+2 skrev Robert Baer:

a quick google finds dozens of places online that stock BX500CI here in Euroland though spec'ed 230V/50Hz

-Lasse

Reply to
Lasse Langwadt Christensen

Order it from Europe?

formatting link

Just FYI, the voltage in Ethiopia is not 240V. AFAIK it is 220V.

--
Regards, Joerg 

http://www.analogconsultants.com/
Reply to
Joerg

Probably not. However, if you search for countries that have power mains similar to Ethiopia 220v/50Hz power: you'll probably find a country where the correct voltage and frequency UPS can be purchased. For example, it looks like United Kingdom will work.

--
Jeff Liebermann     jeffl@cruzio.com 
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com 
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com 
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558
Reply to
Jeff Liebermann

What exactly is your problem ?

UPS devices for the European market should be capable using of both

220, 230 and 240 V nominal mains voltages.
Reply to
upsidedown

In addition, in developing countries or recently industrialized countries or what ever the current politically correct term is, at least the rural network is often quite weak, so one should not be too surprised of getting something between 150 and 260 V from a nominally

220 V socket, so hopefully the UPS has at least that wide input voltage range.
Reply to
upsidedown

This is a good idea. When traveling, I've sometimes ordered stuff with local voltages to wait for me at the hotel of the destination. It's always a good idea to warn the local recipient to expect your package, as I've learned.

--
Mikko OH2HVJ
Reply to
Mikko OH2HVJ

Den mandag den 14. juli 2014 21.51.13 UTC+2 skrev snipped-for-privacy@downunder.com:

the spec on the APC-BX500CI says 160-280V 45-65Hz

-Lasse

Reply to
Lasse Langwadt Christensen

Names, please?

Reply to
Robert Baer

Yes, just like US voltage is quoted as 110V but in reality is 120V to

124V. Am working on reality, not ignorant "specs".
Reply to
Robert Baer

Thanks.

Reply to
Robert Baer

Yes, yes, i know. Who sells them in Ethiopia? Net cost UPS+shipping should be lower there than buying in (say) the UK and shipping to Addis Ababa.

Reply to
Robert Baer

Yes; Specs of the BX500CI seems to cover that.

Reply to
Robert Baer

Rather wise.

Reply to
Robert Baer

Yup! that high end eXplicity is a necessary characteristic; there is a LOT of Urban renewal going on in Addis Ababa (including stealing..err "confiscate" wares) being sold by sidewalk vendors - thieves are "officials" trying to "improve" the economy. Said urban renewal includes transportation which makes for nasty power spikes that destroys computers, their power supplies, and MBs.

This UPS is to be used to give some protection (none used before).

Reply to
Robert Baer

On Mon, 14 Jul 2014 22:55:28 +0300, Mikko OH2HVJ Gave us:

That's what she said!...

Reply to
DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno

I gave a link.

--
Regards, Joerg 

http://www.analogconsultants.com/
Reply to
Joerg

I don't know about Ethiopia in particular, but when dealing with developing countries in general, they usually have quite strict import licensing and taxes. In addition to a lot paper work, quite often some briberies needs to be paid.

If there are some "official importer", the state officials will in practice block any independent import attempts, unless you pay something to the "right" people.

To your question

the right answer is to contact the manufacturer of the product of interest and ask if they have an "official representative" in Ethiopia.

Of course, be prepared to pay multiple times to the official representative compared what you would be paying on the Western market:-).

Reply to
upsidedown

UPSes are used almost all over the Third World, because of poor utility power characteristics -- voltage fluctuations etc., In India e;g., one cannot run a computer without an UPS, and APC is the top-selling UPS brand. A little pricey compared to Chinese junk, but very reliable device.

Reply to
dakupoto

I finally was able to talk to Tagel Molla of IP Com Technologies in Addis Ababa.

I ordered the APC BX800CI rated at 220V 50Hz for my friend there.

** This experience has shown that there is an unreasonable percentage of people that simply do not READ their e-mail. And the result is that some of those "encounters of the zombie kind" cease to exist, because they simply do not respond. ** It is amazing that some international calling cards have rates comparable (and sometimes better) than that of local calls using cell phones.
Reply to
Robert Baer

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