Hardware module to turn every UPS NUT compatible

Dev Zone Devember
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AI Disclosure:
I am not planning on using AI in this project. I may give in and ask it to help me navigate NUT documentation etc.

The need:
Many of us either started on, or chose to stay on low power homelabs and no lab should be deemed complete without an UPS. Unfortunately smaller and/or cheaper models either do not support external monitoring tools or use proprietary software.

The proposed solution:
I plan to create and release a small embedded module that the user could use to modify their UPS - making it NUT compatible.

For the sake of development speed (and part availability for the community) the hardware will be based on Raspberry Pi Pico. Time permitting, the design will be done using KiCad, but if time becomes an issue - I’ll push through the finish line with Altium.

Firmware will likely use a library for handling USB. The remainder of the firmware will be custom.

Planned deliverables:

  • PCB files (full manufacturing pack)
  • Schematics
  • Project files (if completed in KiCad on time, if not, I’ll re-draw in KiCad after Devember)
  • Firmware for the rp2040
  • A guide how to install the module
5 Likes
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Jeff Geerling made some video’s on NUT, if you haven’t seen those, look them up. No need to reinvent the wheel, right? :light_bulb:

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Been thinking about repurposing old backups with more batteries.

RPi Pico sound like overkill, but inexpensive and easy to code for so I get it.

I too tinker in KiCAD and would happy to review files if you like. Most of my work has been on full custom 3D Printer ARM boards and firmware, some with Allwinner H6 series.

1 Like
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I like Jeff, and watch a lot of his videos, but missed this, and also have a UPS I would like to monitor with NUT

I from a quack, I see this, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yFnItLSRpLI

Instructions on his blog to use ansible, to monitor the UPS and then shutdown named servers, complete with SSH secrets etc on here:

And a github project

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Does Jeff cover UPS monitoring when said UPS doesn’t have USB or the UPS doesn’t support UPS monitoring over USB? Other than the OpenNMC video. That’s specific to the APC SmartSlot interface.