ANY APC UPS with RJ-45 Control Panel interface

[MarkC_apc]

I believe I know the answer to this one, but I'm going to ask anyway; (No and don't even try!).  I have a (useless?) SUA5000RM UPS that does not have the front control panel.  I purchased this for the NMC2 card - which does work.  Since I don't have the control panel, cannot even power up to test for the batteries and/or other parts working (or potentially charge the batteries after the "smart" test). So questions - any way to "fake" the start button - then use the NMC for all control?.  Any other models that use the RJ-45 interface that could be used to at least test the unit?

Obviously, I cannot ship this heavy-weight anywhere to test!

Mark

[BillP]

Hi Mark,

My understanding is that if the UPS is connected to AC power, it should at least be energized and the NMC would be on and allow you to turn the output on through there. This assumes the UPS is functioning properly though. Have you checked to see with the UPS plugged in and NMC inserted if there are any LEDs on the NMC?

Can you provide the exact SKU of this UPS from the rear of the UPS? SUA5000RMT5U perhaps? I was aware only of SUM1500 or SUM3000 that had an RJ-45 type front panel but I don't know if they are interchangable..

[MarkC_apc]

Angela - you are correct!  I installed an AP9630 card, powered it up and all panel controls and indicators appear to be available from the NMC software.  The NMC LEDs funtion normally.  The SKU is the SUA5000RMT5U.  The one function that I can think of that I will not have available is the "cold start" procedure?  Any others that you know of - that are not available without the front button controls?

As always, thanks

Mark

[BillP]

Hi Mark,

I agree, assuming the UPS has gone braindead (de-energized itself), you will not be able to cold start the UPS off of its batteries. The braindead will happen either by using the front panel (removing AC power and holding the "off (o)" button for a few seconds) or letting the UPS sit by itself for 8-10 minutes without AC power will cause it to automatically occur. If the UPS is not braindead and you have AC power removed but are before that 8-10 minute time period, I would suspect you can still log into the NMC and command the UPS to turn on and sort of coldstart it that way. I haven't tried it though - just an educated guess.

Beyond that, a manual self test is the only other thing I could think of.. which is done by holding the "test" button down for a few seconds. One other minor feature is that when the UPS is off, I think one of those buttons can be held down and the battery bar graph or load bar graph illuminates and represents a range of the AC input voltage.

[MarkC_apc]

Actually, I was concerned that the UPS would not even turn off (and eventually drain the batteries).  However after the 8-10 minutes, it did shutdown completely.  The only function that would not work during that interim 8-10 minutes was the "turn on the UPS".  Without the AC power, it ignored the command.  If I plugged the AC back in, then it would start.  I learn something new......  It is good to know that these style units can be used effectively (for me at least) without the "bezel".  Seems many of the UPSs have lost them or get broken when moved.

Mark

[roger_apc · Accepted solution]

Hi Mark,

I had a similar issue with a SURTD3000XLT unit.  I called APC tech support to get a part # and ordering proceedure, and they just sent me out a new one.  No credit card required, no charge as far as I can tell.

Then people wonder why I like APC so much!

Cheers,