Replace battery or the whole UPS?

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kiwifidget

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Topic # 185830 7-Dec-2015 12:43

I have an elderly APC Smart-UPS 1500, which has a red light showing meaning the battery needs to be replaced.
This will be the second time.
I havent yet rung anyone to find out the cost of replacement batteries.
Because.....
I'm wondering if I should buy a newer one?
The APC does not turn the PC back on when power is restored. Would this be a function (or non-function) of the UPS or the PC?
The PC is a Franken-server, running WHS2011.

I probably dont need 1500Va anymore as the PC is the only thing on it now.
Though one day maybe next year it may also have an ONT and stuff.

Life is too short to remove USB safely.

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Reply # 1441965 7-Dec-2015 12:50

Replacement battery is probably a lot cheaper. Can you open it up and find the physical size / capacity of the battery? Somewhere like natbat.co.nz (who I randomly found online and have ordered from once) can probably do a replacement battery cheaper than Dynamix can. Be careful, high voltages in a UPS.

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robjg63

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Reply # 1441979 7-Dec-2015 13:18

Cheaper to get the batteries replaced than buy a new APC 1500 - they are quite durable and good quality UPS devices.
That said there are cheaper UPS devices around - have a couple of UPS at work and the APC ones are the best.

The PC would have to have something like "Power Loss restart" or "Auto power on" in the BIOS settings in order for it to start up after a power shutdown.

This link has some 'typical' info on BIOS settings:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bios-beginners,1126-8.html

EDIT: Hmm - found the costs we were quoted to get the batteries replace almost exactly a year ago.
Battery: $298 (+gst)

Depending on the age maybe you should get it tested in which case add an extra couple of hundred.

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1101

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Reply # 1442047 7-Dec-2015 14:23

Be aware , that there is allways the chance the UPS has a fault & may cook the new batts in no time at all , Ive had that happen
with some UPS's over the years, or that it simply wont charge the batts . So now I just replace the UPS instead . Your one may be worth
putting some effort into though.
You also need to get the correct batts , not just some off the shelf batt from Jaycar that happens to fit.

You can get it tested, but thats not a cheap service (from memory)

Jase2985

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Reply # 1442069 7-Dec-2015 14:55

is it one of these? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy-Y4TqHJoM

http://www.recell.co.nz/ups/rbc7.html

can probably get them a little cheaper if you show around

They are just 2x 12v 17ah batteries

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Reply # 1442085 7-Dec-2015 15:09

These units are built to last.

I have just replaced my battery pack for the second time, after 10 trouble-free years.

Smart-UPS® 1500 230V model SUA1500I

APC Replacement Battery Cartridge #7 RBC7

Ascent charge $255 incl GST & delivery

Estimated battery life: 3 to 5 years

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kiwifidget

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Reply # 1442124 7-Dec-2015 15:45

Sideface: These units are built to last.

I have just replaced my battery pack for the second time, after 10 trouble-free years.

Smart-UPS® 1500 230V model SUA1500I

APC Replacement Battery Cartridge #7 RBC7

Ascent charge $255 incl GST & delivery

Estimated battery life: 3 to 5 years

Hmmm... ITPower just quoted $298+GST for their compatible battery. Thats a bit dear.
Is it easy enough to replace them yourself?

Life is too short to remove USB safely.

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Reply # 1442162 7-Dec-2015 16:01

kiwifidget:
Sideface: These units are built to last.

I have just replaced my battery pack for the second time, after 10 trouble-free years.

Smart-UPS® 1500 230V model SUA1500I

APC Replacement Battery Cartridge #7 RBC7

Ascent charge $255 incl GST & delivery

Estimated battery life: 3 to 5 years

Hmmm... ITPower just quoted $298+GST for their compatible battery. Thats a bit dear.
Is it easy enough to replace them yourself?

A 2-minute job with a screwdriver.

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kiwifidget

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Reply # 1442169 7-Dec-2015 16:14

ITPower also offered a service of the UPS for $120+GST where they do all sorts of servicey things.
Is that worth doing or just get a battery and bung it in, in which case Ascent looks like a winner?

Life is too short to remove USB safely.

kiwifidget

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Reply # 1442175 7-Dec-2015 16:24

robjg63:
The PC would have to have something like "Power Loss restart" or "Auto power on" in the BIOS settings in order for it to start up after a power shutdown.

I found this in the motherboard manual:

AC Back Function
Determines the state of the system after the return of power from an AC power loss.
Soft-Off The system stays off upon the return of the AC power. (Default)
Full-On The system is turned on upon the return of the AC power.
Memory The system returns to its last known awake state upon the return of the AC
power.

So it seems I will be able to get the server to come back on after power is restored.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction for that.

Life is too short to remove USB safely.

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Reply # 1442236 7-Dec-2015 18:21

kiwifidget: ITPower also offered a service of the UPS for $120+GST where they do all sorts of servicey things.
Is that worth doing or just get a battery and bung it in, in which case Ascent looks like a winner?

servicey things? no need
batteries? yes - normal maintenance

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jeffnz

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Reply # 1442273 7-Dec-2015 18:53

PM me as I can get the batteries properly tested for you and give you a competitive GZ price

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MadEngineer

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Reply # 1442330 7-Dec-2015 20:24

Replace batteries once then replace the whole unit.

Jax

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Reply # 1442338 7-Dec-2015 20:52

kiwifidget: I have an elderly APC Smart-UPS 1500, which has a red light showing meaning the battery needs to be replaced.
This will be the second time.
I havent yet rung anyone to find out the cost of replacement batteries.
Because.....
I'm wondering if I should buy a newer one?
The APC does not turn the PC back on when power is restored. Would this be a function (or non-function) of the UPS or the PC?
The PC is a Franken-server, running WHS2011.

I probably dont need 1500Va anymore as the PC is the only thing on it now.
Though one day maybe next year it may also have an ONT and stuff.

I have a cheap Dynamix 650 unit going cheap, near new. PM if interested (Auckland)

Jase2985

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Reply # 1442341 7-Dec-2015 20:56

MadEngineer: Replace batteries once then replace the whole unit.

@MadEngineer could you explain why please

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Reply # 1442346 7-Dec-2015 21:20

MadEngineer: Replace batteries once then replace the whole unit.

That approach may make sense with a cheap domestic "disposable" UPS. They are not built to last.

It makes less sense with a business-grade device, with better build quality, and costing well over $1,000.

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