---
title: Notes on PowerWalker VI 500 R1U UPS
date: 2023-09-30T07:33:34+00:00
modified: 2024-01-21T08:46:53+00:00
image:: https://kaspars.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/powerwalker-vi-500-r1u-ups-scaled.jpeg
permalink: https://kaspars.net/blog/powerwalker-vi-500-r1u
post_type: post
author:
  name: Kaspars
  avatar: https://reverse.kaspars.net/gravatar/avatar/92bfcd3a8c3a21a033a6484d32c25a40b113ec6891f674336081513d5c98ef76?s=96&d=mm&r=g
category:
  - Electronics
  - Home Automation
---

# Notes on PowerWalker VI 500 R1U UPS

I’ve always wanted a rack mount UPS for all of our homelab gear, and [PowerWalker VI 500](https://powerwalker.com/product/10121047/) was pretty much the cheapest option at EUR 192 at the time. Here are my notes and observations after having used it for more than a year to power a [QNAP TS-435XeU](https://www.qnap.com/en/product/ts-435xeu) server.

![PowerWalker VI 500 R1U UPS](https://kaspars.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/powerwalker-vi-500-r1u-ups-scaled.jpeg?strip=all&quality=90&resize=2560,1440)- Has only USB type B connection for management.
- Is recognized by macOS and QNAP operating systems as UPS when connected over USB.
- Relies on [PowerMaster+ management software](https://www.powermonitor.software/) for configuration.
- Has four IEC C13 output sockets.
- Uses two 6V/7Ah batteries which gives it a theoretical maximum capacity of 84Wh.
- Has audible transformer hissing when not loaded but is completely fan-less.

## Power Consumption

![](https://kaspars.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/powerwalker-vi-500-power-consumption.png?strip=all&quality=90&resize=2356,1050)PowerWalker VI 500 R1U drawing 15W unloaded (during 6-8PM) and practically the same when powering a 30W server (during 10-11PM) when fully charged.The unit draws an additional 15W when powering a 30W NAS (and connected to the mains) which explains why it gets pretty warm (still comfortable to touch). This is a pretty significant overhead for DC-based systems like routers and mini PC servers.

The specification mentions 95% efficiency under full load when connected to the mains and 78% efficiency when powered from the battery (also under full load) with a 0.60 power factor. The official full-load (300W) backup time is 0.8 minutes or 10.3 minutes for the half-load (150W).

After almost exactly a year of this kind of usage, the batteries were completely depleted and wouldn’t last even a few seconds during a blackout — dropping to 10V as soon as the mains power supply was removed.