Running Asus routers on battery

[chrisisbd]

I've tried asking Asus support but just got the "use our power supply or else" type response. All I asked was what are the **actual** power supply requirements for their routers. I.e. what are the maximum and minimum voltages for the router to operate.

I want to run from batteries if I can so need to know if it's safe up to 14.5 volts or so (nominal 12 volt) as batteries on charge can be up to this voltage. If not I can use a 'buck boost' converter that will keep the voltage at 12 volts but this would introduce some power loss which I would prefer to avoid.

 

[Viktor Jaep]

I've tried asking Asus support but just got the "use our power supply or else" type response. All I asked was what are the **actual** power supply requirements for their routers. I.e. what are the maximum and minimum voltages for the router to operate.

I want to run from batteries if I can so need to know if it's safe up to 14.5 volts or so (nominal 12 volt) as batteries on charge can be up to this voltage. If not I can use a 'buck boost' converter that will keep the voltage at 12 volts but this would introduce some power loss which I would prefer to avoid.

Why not just keep the AC adapter plugged into the router, and hook it up to an UPS? That way you're giving it the right amount of electricity through the adapter, and you're also running on batteries. Plus, this is the optimal way to go to prevent internet outages in the house if you experience a lot of outages or brownouts. Don't forget to also plug your modem into the UPS as well.

 

[Tech9]

Why not just keep the AC adapter plugged into the router, and hook it up to an UPS?

Indeed.

Reducing power consumption - possible to any extent?

I'm running asuswrt-merlin on an RT-BE92U and an RT-AC86U. I'm looking at providing power using a UPS as we do have the occasional power cut here. The RT-BE92U in particular is quite a power hungry beast. Are there any things (processes, unnecessary hardware, etc.) that one can turn off to...

www.snbforums.com

 

[Viktor Jaep]

Indeed.

Reducing power consumption - possible to any extent?

I'm running asuswrt-merlin on an RT-BE92U and an RT-AC86U. I'm looking at providing power using a UPS as we do have the occasional power cut here. The RT-BE92U in particular is quite a power hungry beast. Are there any things (processes, unnecessary hardware, etc.) that one can turn off to...

www.snbforums.com

I can't keep up with all your cross-posts, but I totally agree with you. lol

 

[Tech9]

I can't keep

No one is perfect.

 

[Justinh]

No one is perfect.

Well that busts my bubble! Viktor was my hero! (And you are my mentor, Tech9 )

 

[Tech9]

Viktor was my hero!

I like cats too.

 

[CaptnDanLKW]

A UPS inverter is horribly inefficient. A small AGM or SLA battery could run a router for a very long time over a UPS. A UPS is converting 12V DC into 120V AC, so the router power adapter can turn it back into 'xx'V DC. I remember my old AC routers were 19V DC but saw my new BE86U is 12V so that makes things easier.

All that said, I think the future could be USB-C PD. Sounds so simple - power your router off the USB-C port on your UPS.

 

[Viktor Jaep]

I like cats too.

I'm cold.

 

[degrub]

5555
That is one annoyed cat !
Great picture though !

Is that a "snowball" cat ?

 

[richardeid]

All that said, I think the future could be USB-C PD. Sounds so simple - power your router off the USB-C port on your UPS.

I bought my UPS in 1997. The interface to it is RS-232. Is there an adapter for RS-232 PD?

But being serious, are new UPSs coming with USB-C ports now or is this just you imagining nirvana?

 

[fisherman]

A UPS inverter is horribly inefficient. A small AGM or SLA battery could run a router for a very long time over a UPS. A UPS is converting 12V DC into 120V AC, so the router power adapter can turn it back into 'xx'V DC. I remember my old AC routers were 19V DC but saw my new BE86U is 12V so that makes things easier.

All that said, I think the future could be USB-C PD. Sounds so simple - power your router off the USB-C port on your UPS.

I got this CyberPower telecom UPS for <$30 bucks but have never used it. Maybe I should fire it up for grins. Or izzit underpowered--dunno as I'm not at my ASUS location atm:

Here's one:

 

[northumberland]

Running an AC88U (tomato firmware) and AX88U (Merlin) on battery here for the past couple of years. My office it's basically off-grid with lithium batteries charged via solar.
I use a step up buck converter (from AliExpress) to get the 19V - works flawlessly.

The BE88U and BE92U appear to use 12V so this might be even better - just not gotten around to putting one in the office yet.

Just make sure you work out the power draw in Watts, so you can choose a suitable battery (bank).

Or if it's just for the occasional, shorter power outage, as suggested, a UPS will work for you.