APC UPS replacement batteries

Berserker · 8 Dec 2009 at 14:53

Figured this would be a good place to ask as server users will be much more likely to use a UPS than the unruly masses of GH.

I got a battery failure warning from my APC Smart-UPS yesterday. Though a re-test sent it away I consider it fair warning that the battery will need replacing soon (it's well past due).

However, an official replacement RBC7 pack is £120 + shipping. Ugh. There seem to be a few sellers about offering 'compatible' batteries (usually claiming to use the same battery packs that APC themselves use). There's one seller on an auction site with 100% feedback offering these for £80-ish.

So, my question. Does anyone have any experience with replacing the batteries in APC UPSes (specifically the SUA1500I in my case), and did you use original or compatible batteries?

I know UPS draw a lot of amps and I've seen the odd exploding UPS battery horror story, so should I just man up and pay the premium?

PS - it's an @home server, so not mission critical in any way, but I really don't need battery acid everywhere.

PPS - any information about disposing of the old battery would also be helpful.

Sp00n · 8 Dec 2009 at 14:57

Literally a 1 minute job, click the front off, unscrew the 2 screws, pull the cover down and pull the battery out/disconnect cable. Reverse to install

I had a client who decided to get a third party battery from ebay and I havent heard any complaints from them so it seems it works fine.

I usually have a dilemma when it comes to replacing batteries because you have to take in to account the age of the unit as well, I generally say if its over 3 years then get a new unit.

As a rule we only supply APC batteries.

/edit at one point APC were offering a small discount if you sent them your old battery as well, don't know if thats still around.

Yamahahahahaha · 8 Dec 2009 at 15:01

There is a disposal contact address for APC batteries on their website.

It means packing it up and sending it by an 'Hazardous Waste' authorised courier. I think Parcel Force / City Link etc. are fine, do check though.

You can reuse the packaging from the replacement battery to do this.

Berserker · 8 Dec 2009 at 15:05

Thanks, so far.

The UPS is nearly six years old (purchased 02/2004), same as the battery. In a mission critical situation UPS replacement makes sense, but this isn't, so I'm inclined to just swap the battery and hope the UPS itself gives me another five years. If that's unlikely, then obviously I'll have to reconsider. In truth I don't need a UPS at all - I just like having one for peace of mind.

Sp00n · 8 Dec 2009 at 15:10

Lol... well you may as well get hold of a battery but if your not that bothered then just get a surge protector thingy

Berserker · 8 Dec 2009 at 15:20

I have those as well. Most of my toys are behind surge protection, but my file/download server, main router, and a Drobo live on the UPS. There's a few SUA1500I units around my workplace too of a similar age, so I know they can last.

Anyone else got any experience with UPS longevity?

Little_Crow · 8 Dec 2009 at 15:46

We have had some batteries past their recommended replacement dates. The batteries had actually bulged, so it was impossible to replace them, meaning a new UPS was required.

The units themselves tend not to go wrong, but the batteries should be replaced as they expire.

malman · 8 Dec 2009 at 16:13

open it up and look at the batteries you will probably find they are standard kit. You can either source these and harness them up yourself or you could try these

http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/shop/pr...DepartmentName=UPS+Batteries&DepartmentID=178

I have used matching yuasa batteries in other models without issue which you can get from farnells three letter place or here

http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/departm...entID=121,122&DepartmentName2=Yuasa+Batteries

don't think overclockers sell ups batteries but I'll remove the links if they do

Berserker · 8 Dec 2009 at 17:13

I've already found the instructions for moving the existing harness to new batteries, but I'm not sure I want to go there. I'm fine with inserting plugs in sockets and so forth (which at least means I can build my own PCs), but tend to shy away from anything more complicated/risky.

Good point on replacing the batteries. I'll make sure I can actually remove the old ones before I order new.

taliesyn · 8 Dec 2009 at 17:18

I replaced a battery in one of our UPS a couple of weeks ago. I got the replacement 12v 7.2AH battery from an electronics company based in the north (not the one with retail shops), and I think it was around £15 + VAT.

Mine was a bog standard sealed lead-acid battery, however check if the UPS you have uses proprietary cells

Just found you a link http://www.wikihow.com/Assemble-an-APC-RBC7-Smart-UPS-Battery

Berserker · 8 Dec 2009 at 17:53

Thanks! That's the link I found already. It doesn't say what batteries are actually needed (I don't want to go the Heath Robinson route, so it would have to be the right ones), and I don't think I'd be confident doing that anyway.

JackNeedsATooth · 9 Dec 2009 at 23:41

Berserker said:
I have those as well. Most of my toys are behind surge protection, but my file/download server, main router, and a Drobo live on the UPS. There's a few SUA1500I units around my workplace too of a similar age, so I know they can last.

Anyone else got any experience with UPS longevity?

Under normal circumstances, UPS batteries should be lasting about 3-5 years. The more abuse you give them, the shorter their life gets. However, if you buy really cheap batteries, bottom of the barrel crap, you get 6-12 months out of them.

The SUA1500I are solid units, industrial and heavy duty. The battery on those units should definitely last a few years

JackNeedsATooth · 9 Dec 2009 at 23:42

Berserker said:
I've already found the instructions for moving the existing harness to new batteries, but I'm not sure I want to go there. I'm fine with inserting plugs in sockets and so forth (which at least means I can build my own PCs), but tend to shy away from anything more complicated/risky.

Good point on replacing the batteries. I'll make sure I can actually remove the old ones before I order new.

Don't be worried about moving the harnesses over, it's a piece of cake. Going this route can save you a significant premium over buying from APC themselves.

sportq · 10 Dec 2009 at 09:04

JackNeedsATooth said:
Don't be worried about moving the harnesses over, it's a piece of cake. Going this route can save you a significant premium over buying from APC themselves.

Yes, it's not technically difficult but watch out for sparks when the leads initially touch the battery terminals

I think the APC manuals warn of this and say it's normal.

Some of the medium size models (SU750-SU1400) have two batteries in series. These have a jumper lead that goes from the +ve on one battery to the -ve on the other. Sometimes APC use a double sided pad to stick the batteries together as well.

I've replaced a few in my time. The original APC batteries are usually CSB brand which you can buy from a number of places. Yuasa are another good brand that could substitute for the originals.

Peter

JackNeedsATooth · 10 Dec 2009 at 16:54

sportq said:
Yes, it's not technically difficult but watch out for sparks when the leads initially touch the battery terminals I think the APC manuals warn of this and say it's normal.

Some of the medium size models (SU750-SU1400) have two batteries in series. These have a jumper lead that goes from the +ve on one battery to the -ve on the other. Sometimes APC use a double sided pad to stick the batteries together as well.

I've replaced a few in my time. The original APC batteries are usually CSB brand which you can buy from a number of places. Yuasa are another good brand that could substitute for the originals.

Peter

The spark comes only when you attach the grey interlock inside the unit to the battery. It's a quick and pleasant sparks, wakes you up!

APC uses many brands of batteries, CSB used to be their main one for along time but they have also started using other brands that fit their price and specification criteria.

Don't buy cheap crappy batteries in you'll be safe!

JackNeedsATooth · 11 Dec 2009 at 13:33

Berserker said:
I have those as well. Most of my toys are behind surge protection, but my file/download server, main router, and a Drobo live on the UPS. There's a few SUA1500I units around my workplace too of a similar age, so I know they can last.

Anyone else got any experience with UPS longevity?

Whether or not it's a mission critical application or not, replacing the battery on a UPS will bring the UPS back to life. The SUA1500 is one of the best UPSs APC has ever made. If the unit is treated well and doesn't get put through too much abuse, there's no reason not to get several life cycles out of the unit. The components and the circuitry are very good. We have an APC UPS in service that's 13yrs old. We keep replacing the batteries and it keeps going. Some larger firms and firms with a big budget completely replace their UPSs every 3-4 years, while probably reducing their chance of failure they're probably not getting the maximum value for the money. Because you don't have a mission critical application, you should definitely replace the battery instead of buying a new unit.

You can save money on the battery pack and still get good batteries that will provide you a solid run time. For the RBC7, all you need to do is buy two high quality 12v 18ah batteries. APC doesn't manufacture their own batteries, they use all sorts of brands. If you get a high quality brand, you can even get more runtime than with the original battery.

Take apart your old battery pack, remove the covers, harness and fuse and reassemble it with the new batteries. Someone else in the thread had a link to the wiki assembly guide. You can follow those instructions or do it by eye. Reattach the fuse, reattach the harness and use double sided tape to glue back to the top covers. Once done, you're good to go.

With good batteries, your UPS will serve you for a very long time!

westom · 12 Dec 2009 at 00:14

JackNeedsATooth said:
Under normal circumstances, UPS batteries should be lasting about 3-5 years. The more abuse you give them, the shorter their life gets.

Because recharge circuits are better designed (and other factors), normal is for a UPS battery to last almost 20 years. But APCs are made a cheap as possible. Its electronics are so cheap that most of that UPS cost is its battery. UPS being so cheaply made, its batteries that do almost nothing expire in or after three years.

Even my car battery that operates in harshest environments and that are used every day (much more than an APC battery) last seven and nine years. But then even cars have better voltage regulation. A common problem when premature battery failure occurs in three years.

sportq · 13 Dec 2009 at 12:19

Something I just remembered about this. I used to mange my APC UPS with their PowerChute software which by default does a self-test/calibration every two weeks. I found that the deep discharge cycle this does kills the batteries real fast as lead-acid batteries don't like this kind of abuse.

For other reasons, switched to the open-source apcupsd and found that the batteries lasted much longer. The only difference being apcupsd doesn't automatically test or calibrate the unit.

You could have course switch of the automatic testing in PowerChute but I found apcupsd much more flexible.

Peter