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Google builds its servers with a Battery in the box so that they don't need a UPS. I'm wanting to do the same, but I'm wondering what all the gotchas might be for doing this, and where I'll find the components to put it all together.
I'm wanting to figure out how to eliminate the DC -> AC -> DC conversion (and all its losses) and just run the system off a DC power supply with a battery in place of the current ATX power supply.
I'm thinking a standard ATX power supply to give me the 12 volts for normal operation, then a kick over onto a gel cell battery when the power goes off, eliminating the UPS. I'm looking for ideas on how to do this economically using off the shelf parts and whatever amount of soldering needed to make it work.