[TriLUG] OT: Diagnosing APC Back-UPS Misbehavior

[David Both]

As far as the discount, APC has frequently offered discounts on new units if you 
return an old one of any brand or age. I have taken advantage of that in the 
past. So what they are offering you is not special, just business as usual. 
Perhaps they are offering you a deeper discount or something, though. I don't 
remember the discount I got.




On 03/19/2013 07:57 AM, Scott Chilcote wrote:
> Hi LUGgers,
>
> For those who are curious, I've performed more tests and swapped emails
> with APC tech support on this problem.  Just as a reminder, these units
> are not reporting that the new batteries are bad.  They are instead
> reporting that the AC power is bad.  When they power up they switch to
> the "On Battery" state and start beeping x4, which is what they do when
> the power goes out.  There is no problem with the house power.  I
> measured it, and four other UPSes agree that it's up to snuff.
>
> Another data point.  I used a class 2 SLA charger to charge up the two
> new batteries.  They were nearly fully charged already, after sitting in
> the UPS(es) for several hours.  The charge light went green after a few
> minutes on both of them.  I don't have the equipment to rigorously load
> test these batteries, but there isn't enough evidence to demonstrate
> that they aren't good.  If someone has a way to do that, I'll give it a try.
>
> APC is being highly nuanced in their responses.  They aren't outright
> saying that the two UPSes are bad, but they did say that they do not
> recommend returning the batteries.  They are instead offering a discount
> program on replacement UPSes.  This seems generous for UPSes that are as
> old as these, and it makes me wonder if there might be something afoot
> with these UPSes.
>
> Another TriLUGger emailed me to say that he had had the same problem
> with a pair of the same model, so we're up to four BackUps XS 800s
> (bx800s) that are doing this.  My google searching did not turn up a
> huge number of similar complaints on this model, but we could be leading
> the wave.
>
> Thanks for all of the good advice.
>
>      Scott C.
>
>
> On 03/06/2013 03:49 PM, Scott Chilcote wrote:
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>> Sorry to wander OT, but I've seen good advice on this list related
>> to UPS problems and I'm hoping someone has some insight.
>>
>> I have two APC Back-UPS XS 800 units that I took offline last year when
>> they showed the "Replace Battery" light.  I ordered new batteries last
>> week, and put them in one of the units.  It did not come back to life as
>> expected.  It showed the "On Battery" light instead, and started beeping
>> four times.  This is what they do when the power goes off.
>>
>> I tried resetting the unit (disconnecting the battery and the AC plug,
>> holding down the "On" switch for 60 seconds).  No change.
>>
>> Then I tried setting the unit's sensitivity to the lowest setting.  This
>> caused it to power up normally (green light).  However, it soon started
>> making a relay chattering sound, which is quite loud.  I shut it off.
>>
>> Since I had another Back-UPS XS 800 that needed batteries, I moved the
>> batteries over to that unit.  I even changed out the cable and spacer
>> for the battery pair.  When I plugged it in - lo and behold - I had the
>> identical misbehavior.  Same "On Battery" state.  Same relay chatter
>> with the sensitivity set to low.
>>
>> Next step: Read the manual.  It says to check the AC voltage level in
>> the house.  I tried the UPS on several different outlets around the
>> house, same problem.  I measured the AC voltage, and got 113VAC on my
>> meter.  We have four other UPSes of varying kinds, and they are working
>> fine at the default sensitivity level.  The manual also says to
>> check the circuit breaker on the back of the unit.  I did that
>> earlier and found that neither one had tripped.
>>
>> I checked the voltage on both of the new batteries (disconnected).  They
>> make the meter swing to at least 12 VDC.
>>
>> These UPSes were both made in late 2004 according to their serial
>> numbers.  Did they die at the same time, while unplugged?  Do they count
>> the number of battery replacements and self destruct (humor)?
>>
>> I spent some time looking at APC's forums, this does not appear to be a
>> frequent problem.  I tried their online support chat, but the trees
>> outside my window were visibly growing while I waited (both of their
>> level ones may be off this week).
>>
>> Thanks for any cluefulness!
>>
>>      Scott C.
>>
>
>
> -- 
>
>
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