Apc Back-ups Es 650 Powerchute Battery Replacement Date
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We have all servers and network gear protected with a High-End double conversion Online UPS.
Computers (Dell Optiplex) are protected by APC or Tripplite UPS (750VA). UPSs has been running with the same battery for the last 4-5 years and apparently still are in good condition but I'm wondering if due to time we need to replace all batteries.
We had some power glitches this week and notice a couple of UPS drop the load (PC and Monitors powered off). Fortunately, users don't loss any work. We don't see any battery alert indication on the UPS.
Do we need to replace the batteries only on the UPS who drop the load? Or we need to replace the batteries in all the UPS devices?
- Do you change the batteries after certain amount of time or just wait for the "replace battery led to lit"?
- How I can "test" if the batteries are good or need replacement if the battery replacement led or indicator in the UPS don't report any issue?
- Do you use a battery tester or any other device? How I can be sure the battery I removed is really bad and need replacement?
I'm mostly going to be echoing the others here because they're spot on. Lead-acid batteries, even when in use, generally have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. As they get old, they sulfate which means sulfur crystals build up on the plates inside of them. As more of the plates are covered, they can no longer hold a charge. This can cause batteries to heat up, deform, etc.
If your batteries are at a point where you feel there's a good chance they will fail if you test them then I would second what LarryG said with a small change. Power everything down that's connected to the UPS and instead of booting one PC/server to a USB stick/CD just plug something else into the UPS. Doesn't need to be all that big, even something like a portable stereo. With that plugged in, unplug the UPS from the wall. If the batteries are really bad, the UPS will probably fail outright and power off. If they're just pretty bad it might run the radio for a few minutes. In that case, you'll have to judge the battery health by seeing how quickly it takes the batteries to drain (easier if your UPS units have an LCD screen that displays estimated runtime).
In the event you were testing batteries in a UPS that wasn't all that old then i would also recommend using the battery test feature in the software from whichever company you have a UPS from. As Da_Schmoo said, APC and TrippLite both have that feature in their software, as does Cyberpower.
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17 Replies
APC usually installs a card onto their units that allows you to log into a web GUI to run diagnostics and check the device out. This is only possible though if this card was included and you have network running to it. If you do, just find out its IP by running a scanner and log into it.
If not, APC units have a series of lights on them. If a caution light is on, it's probably time to replace.
I'd double check the software for the UPS is up to date and let it self diagnose (plan for maintenance time frame for this...), if there is nothing maybe call the vendor up if you have warranty / support.
3 years ish seems like an average time to change the battery. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
All of the suggested battery life lengths I've seen are 3-5 years. I had 8 ups units that I inherited when I started here, and they hadnt been replaced or had a draw down test done on them.... ever. These batteries were upwards of 10 years old and were starting to do things like warp and melt and explode.... I would recommend following your manufacturers suggestions, but lead acid storage batteries don't last forever.
Usually a test can be done on the batteries, via a web panel, or manually (dont do this on production servers) where it will simulate a power failure, and it recalibrates itself based on the length of time the batteries put out a usable voltage.
There isnt any way to really tell if the battery might still have some life left in it. I had batteries that were missing part of the casing that still showed 12v.
TLDR; If your batteries are 5 years old, get new ones. Its easy to convince management when you say "if the power goes out for 30 seconds all of our servers and the entire network *might* just shut down.
After that long I'd be seriously thinking about replacing all of them.
You can always go old school here. Boot the connected PC with a CD or USB drive so you aren't messing with the installed OS. Push the test button on the UPS and see what happens. If there isn't a test button you can always do what the manufacturers tell you not to do and just unplug the UPS.caballo2000 wrote:
- How I can "test" if the batteries are good or need replacement if the battery replacement led or indicator in the UPS don't report any issue?
There is no network cards on the UPS. We have network management only on the big high end unit who protect our network gear and servers.Jackal Lear wrote:
APC usually installs a card onto their units that allows you to log into a web GUI to run diagnostics and check the device out. This is only possible though if this card was included and you have network running to it. If you do, just find out its IP by running a scanner and log into it.
If not, APC units have a series of lights on them. If a caution light is on, it's probably time to replace.
Well, it's up to you, but it might be worth while to get one if that model is compatible and doesn't appear to have any issues. Even then, those cards are interchangeable with a lot of models of the same type.
Do you not see any caution lights on? They're usually an amber color. Is there a self-test button on it somewhere?
UPS have only one year of warranty. And they has been running for 4 years now, so warranty is out of the equation here. 3 years seems like the good spot for battery replacements, but some good batteries last 6 years or more. I'm witness of that fact. I just want to identify when the battery needs replacement because I don't want to replace a battery at year 3 when still I can use it for 3 more years.Neally wrote:
I'd double check the software for the UPS is up to date and let it self diagnose (plan for maintenance time frame for this...), if there is nothing maybe call the vendor up if you have warranty / support.
3 years ish seems like an average time to change the battery. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But perhaps I will start replacing all batts at once.
While they could 'last' as long , how much is uptime worth to your company?
I've seen some fail after a week, and other last 10 years+, but those are oddities and out of the norm.
If you can not test if the battery is good, it's a gamble...
If the downtime costs more than a battery... well, I'd rather swap it too often than too little.
caballo2000 wrote:
Jackal Lear wrote:
APC usually installs a card onto their units that allows you to log into a web GUI to run diagnostics and check the device out. This is only possible though if this card was included and you have network running to it. If you do, just find out its IP by running a scanner and log into it. If not, APC units have a series of lights on them. If a caution light is on, it's probably time to replace.
There is no network cards on the UPS. We have network management only on the big high end unit who protect our network gear and servers.
Are there USB ports? If so, there should be a software that you can install on a laptop and use that to run a self test.
Check APC's website for the software for your models.
Both APC and TrippLite has management software assuming the models have management ports which will be USB or Serial depending on the age. The software should allow you to see the health, run a self test and at least on most APC models, let you run a calibration test to estimate run time with the existing batteries.
I'm mostly going to be echoing the others here because they're spot on. Lead-acid batteries, even when in use, generally have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. As they get old, they sulfate which means sulfur crystals build up on the plates inside of them. As more of the plates are covered, they can no longer hold a charge. This can cause batteries to heat up, deform, etc.
If your batteries are at a point where you feel there's a good chance they will fail if you test them then I would second what LarryG said with a small change. Power everything down that's connected to the UPS and instead of booting one PC/server to a USB stick/CD just plug something else into the UPS. Doesn't need to be all that big, even something like a portable stereo. With that plugged in, unplug the UPS from the wall. If the batteries are really bad, the UPS will probably fail outright and power off. If they're just pretty bad it might run the radio for a few minutes. In that case, you'll have to judge the battery health by seeing how quickly it takes the batteries to drain (easier if your UPS units have an LCD screen that displays estimated runtime).
In the event you were testing batteries in a UPS that wasn't all that old then i would also recommend using the battery test feature in the software from whichever company you have a UPS from. As Da_Schmoo said, APC and TrippLite both have that feature in their software, as does Cyberpower.
Brand Representative for CyberPower USA & Canada
I'll add one more thing to Cal's note.
Remember that the UPS battery is only as good as the runtime you need it for. If your minimum runtime is 8 minutes then it's time to replace the batteries when the UPS goes below that threshold. The majority of UPS systems will have two types of battery diagnostics:
1. Battery test: Switch UPS to battery power for around 10 seconds to check battery voltage is within spec
2. Runtime calibration: Switch UPS to battery power and run for as long as possible before draining all battery power. This validates that the runtime estimated matches reality and therefore calibrates. Because this operation drains the battery it's only recommended to do 1 or 2 times a year.
In short, if the UPS doesn't have the juice to power your equipment for the amount of time you need it to, then it's time to look at replacing batteries. Just like engine oil.
If you have APCs or TrippLites they both are available to be monitored through software. APC can be monitored with Data Center Expert 7.3.1 (I check it everyday to see how my UPS are doing). If they are all networked, and they should be, the software will keep track of them. The software gets a little flaky with TrippLites, but they have their own software PowerAlert which monitors all of their UPS properly. Both will inform you if there are battery issues and if they need replacement. APC Smart UPS will automatically recover from a power outage when it happens and it kicks the battery on. APC will also monitor other UPS such as, Alpha Tech UPS.
Using the software was a great idea.
I installed powerchute personal edition and started testing the removed batteries with an UPS. I can check:
- If the UPS keeps the load UP during an outage by disconnecting it from the AC.
- If the battery can be charged 100%
- How the battery lost the charge during an outage with some load (2 laptops connected)
- Battery status according to Software Interface
I'm pretty sure with this I at least know if the batteries can be still used or go to the recycling company.
There is no test button but I tested by disconnecting the UPS from the ACJackal Lear wrote:
Well, it's up to you, but it might be worth while to get one if that model is compatible and doesn't appear to have any issues. Even then, those cards are interchangeable with a lot of models of the same type.
Do you not see any caution lights on? They're usually an amber color. Is there a self-test button on it somewhere?
There is a "replace batt" led, but I test it and lit when the battery you install have low voltage only. This led don't show you if the battery is still "good" but the battery last just two minutes instead of 15 minutes with full load.
Thanks for the good advice here.
I replace most batteries in the office.
Because I don't know if any of the removed batteries are in good condition, I will test it as recommended (will install the battery in an UPS, will charge it and test it with some load - i.e: 100 watts) to check if the battery still holds charge.
If not, I will recycle it.
Thanks!
update: I test 5 removed batteries:
3 are in good condition (tested in an UPS, the UPS worked 15 min with this batteries)
1 are bad (UPS don't power up, replace battery led is turned ON).
1 are OK (battery charge 100%, tested and works but charge last only 5 minutes instead of 15 min). I will recycle it.
I do it.calvin.cyberpower wrote:
I'm mostly going to be echoing the others here because they're spot on. Lead-acid batteries, even when in use, generally have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. As they get old, they sulfate which means sulfur crystals build up on the plates inside of them. As more of the plates are covered, they can no longer hold a charge. This can cause batteries to heat up, deform, etc.
If your batteries are at a point where you feel there's a good chance they will fail if you test them then I would second what LarryG said with a small change. Power everything down that's connected to the UPS and instead of booting one PC/server to a USB stick/CD just plug something else into the UPS. Doesn't need to be all that big, even something like a portable stereo. With that plugged in, unplug the UPS from the wall. If the batteries are really bad, the UPS will probably fail outright and power off. If they're just pretty bad it might run the radio for a few minutes. In that case, you'll have to judge the battery health by seeing how quickly it takes the batteries to drain (easier if your UPS units have an LCD screen that displays estimated runtime).
In the event you were testing batteries in a UPS that wasn't all that old then i would also recommend using the battery test feature in the software from whichever company you have a UPS from. As Da_Schmoo said, APC and TrippLite both have that feature in their software, as does Cyberpower.
Now with an stereo but with 2 laptops.
I get an APC UPS (550VA) and connected 2 laptops.
I installed the battery to be tested and install APC software in my computer.
I charged the battery until reached 100%.
I then disconnected the APC from AC and check Powerchute Personal Edition.
Battery good: charge in battery was draining... 99%, 97%, etc. The estimated running time with battery (initial) was 30 minutes. After 15 minutes I still have 71% battery. Result: Battery good.
Battery "acceptable condition": charge in battery drop from 100% to 70% in 3 seconds. The estimated running time with battery (initial) was 30 minutes. After 3 minutes, battery remaining 50% and only 10 minutes of estimated run time. Result: Battery: can be used, but no really good.
Battery Bad: APC software indicates battery not detected. Battery replacement turned ON and flashing. I leave the battery connected to see if take some charge but after couple of hours, same issue (no charge, not detected, replace battery led flashing).
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Apc Back-ups Es 650 Powerchute Battery Replacement Date
Source: https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/1764784-how-i-know-if-the-ups-battery-needs-replacement
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