Ups Recommendations
This article covers the power requirements of the Vision Miner 22 IDEX V4 and provides guidelines for choosing an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect your printer and prints during power outages.
We do not recommend specific UPS brands or models. Instead, this guide gives you the electrical specifications you need to select a UPS that matches your use case.
Why Use a UPS?
A sudden power loss during a print can cause:
- Failed prints � the part may detach from the bed, warp, or delaminate when heaters shut off mid-print.
- Filament jams � molten filament solidifies inside the hotend or heatbreak, requiring manual clearing.
- Lost print time � long prints (8+ hours) may need to be restarted entirely.
- Potential damage � repeated uncontrolled shutdowns can stress electronic components over time.
A UPS provides battery backup that keeps the printer running through short outages and gives you time to pause or stop a print gracefully during longer ones.
22 IDEX V4 Power Consumption
The table below summarizes the electrical requirements of the 22 IDEX V4 at different stages of operation.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Peak current draw | Up to 20 A |
| Typical operating current | 5�15 A (average ~10 A) |
| Typical power consumption | 700�1500 W per hour of printing |
| High-temperature printing (PEEK, PEKK, PEI) | ~1100�1200 W sustained |
- Peak draw (20 A) occurs during initial heatup � when the bed heater, chamber heater, and both hotends are all heating simultaneously to reach target temperatures.
- Steady-state draw (5�15 A) is the normal range during active printing, once all heaters have reached temperature and are cycling to maintain setpoints.
- High-temperature materials like PEEK, PEKK, PEI (ULTEM), and PPSU require the highest sustained power because the bed, chamber, and nozzle temperatures are all elevated throughout the entire print.
Minimum UPS Specifications
Use the following specifications as a baseline when selecting a UPS for the 22 IDEX V4.
| Requirement | Minimum value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rated current capacity | 20 A | Must handle the peak draw during heatup |
| Continuous power output | 1500 W | Supports at least 1 hour of printing |
| Output waveform | Pure sine wave | Required for the printer's power supplies to operate correctly |
| Output voltage | Match your local mains voltage (110 V / 220 V) | Ensure the UPS output matches the printer's input rating |
Warning: IMPORTANT: Do not use a UPS with a simulated (stepped) sine wave output. The printer's power supplies require a clean sine wave. A stepped waveform can cause overheating, audible buzzing, or failure of the internal PSUs.
Choosing Battery Capacity
The minimum 1500 W rating ensures the UPS can deliver enough power at any given moment � but how long it can do so depends on the battery capacity (measured in Wh or Ah).
Use this table to estimate the battery capacity you need based on your desired backup runtime:
| Desired backup time | Estimated energy needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | ~250�375 Wh | Enough to pause and stop a print gracefully |
| 30 minutes | ~500�750 Wh | Covers most short outages |
| 1 hour | ~1000�1500 Wh | Enough to continue printing through a moderate outage |
| 2+ hours | 2000+ Wh | For extended backup; larger and more expensive units |
Info: IMPORTANT: These are estimates. Actual runtime depends on what material you are printing (higher chamber and nozzle temperatures = higher power draw), whether the printer is actively heating or holding temperature, and the UPS efficiency (typically 85�90%).
How to Calculate
To estimate the required battery capacity for your specific situation:
- Determine your average power draw. For most prints this is 700�1200 W. For high-temperature materials (PEEK, PEKK, PEI), use 1100�1500 W.
- Decide how long you need backup. Common targets: 15 minutes (graceful shutdown), 30�60 minutes (ride through short outages), or 2+ hours (full outage protection).
- Calculate: Battery capacity (Wh) = Power draw (W) � Time (hours) � UPS efficiency (0.85�0.90).
Example: You print PEEK at ~1200 W and want 1 hour of backup with a UPS that is 87% efficient:
1200 W � 1 hour / 0.87 efficiency = approximately 1380 Wh
You would need a UPS with at least 1380 Wh of usable battery capacity.
What to Look For When Shopping
- Online (pure sine wave) UPS � not standby or line-interactive with simulated sine wave. Some line-interactive models do produce pure sine wave; check the datasheet.
- Rated output power = 1500 W (sometimes listed as VA � make sure to check the watt rating, not just VA).
- 20 A output capability at your mains voltage.
- Battery capacity matched to your desired runtime (see table above).
- Standard outlet type compatible with the printer's power cable.
Info: IMPORTANT: VA (Volt-Amperes) and W (Watts) are not the same. A UPS rated at 2000 VA may only deliver 1200�1600 W depending on its power factor. Always check the watt rating in the product specifications.
Summary
| What you need to know | Value |
|---|---|
| Peak current draw | 20 A |
| Typical power draw during printing | 700�1500 W |
| Minimum UPS power rating | 1500 W continuous |
| Required output waveform | Pure sine wave |
| Battery capacity | Depends on your desired backup runtime |
We do not endorse or recommend specific UPS brands or models. Choose a unit that meets the specifications above and fits your budget and runtime requirements.