APC 2200XL RM Photo?

[BillP]

We had a fan go bad in our Smart-UPS 2200XL rack-mount UPS (part number SUA2200RMXL3U). We have the network card and extended battery pack, so we wanted to get it working again, because none of those products work with any currently-supported UPS; we would have purchased a new model if it still worked with our accessories.

I apologize for the crappy description of my problem below, I am not an electrical engineer.

The new fan arrived without the plug. We attached the plug and connected all of the cables inside the unit (we had to undo the fan connections and two other wires to get the old fan out and the new one in). When the unit is plugged in, the fan plugged into J11 works, but not the other one plugged into J14. In addition, after reconnecting the two cables, the UPS starts up, enter self-test, and after a few seconds errors with all of the Battery Charge lights blinking along with Overload, On Battery, and Replace Battery. I checked the manual, but this configuration of blinking lights is not listed. The batteries were replaced a few years ago and seemed to be working fine before the fan replacement.

I'm trying to find a photo of the inside of a SUA2200RMXL3U to check the wire connections and see if I reconnected one of the wires wrong, but I'm having no luck. I tried calling the help desk, but the first tier support person I spoke to had no idea where to get any documentation for the unit beyond the general manual available on the webpage. I think I found the schematics (Part number 640-0734K?) but I'm not sure if they're for the 2200 XL RM 3U or one of the other 2200 models, and I'm not an electrical engineer so I'm finding it hard to relate them to the product.

Does anyone have any photos of the inside of the unit they'd be willing to share? I'd be much obliged. Alternatively, if someone has seen that configuration of error lights, I'd appreciate any feedback.

[BillP]

Hi Roland,

These units are not designed to be user serviceable beyond the battery for safety/liability issues as you can imagine. What you're doing and looking for can't be provided by tech support and even so, the lower level teams would not have access to it. Anything you do will be at your own risk and if folks want to share any information here and you're comfortable with proceeding, that's fine but APC/Schneider can't do that.

On the LEDs, on my chart I see that as "all right side LEDS flashing in unison" and it says output overvoltage as the error. I don't have any notes as to what to look at but does it output any voltage in this state?

[BillP]

I am aware that if voids the warranty. The device is several years old, and if APC offered a replacement we could buy where we could still plug in our battery pack and network card, we would have avoided all of this. But I was informed that there is no direct replacement.

We will check the output voltage and get back to you! Thanks!

[BillP]

You're welcome - no problem! Another option is our certified repair center if you get stuck and don't find anything you can fix. CoastTec is the repair center (https://coasttec.com/). Not sure if they can give you a quote or anything to see if it is worth having them check it out if you can't repair it with your know how and anyone else who wants to share here. They may also be a good, trusted channel for certified used products, including the older generation like you have versus something like eBay.

[BillP]

I'm curious, though, is there no photo anywhere in the APC systems for the interior of the product? I checked online and found absolutely nothing for my product.

[BillP]

I am sure an APC engineer somewhere has one. I don't have one personally and they won't share pictures of the interior since the users shouldn't be in there or need them anyway.

[Terry_Kennedy_apc]

You say you purchased a replacement fan from somewhere? Did they say it was for your APC unit? It seems to me that they would be the first people to ask. As Angela pointed out, APC does not consider the fans in your unit (or most models) to be customer-replaceable parts.

If that doesn't help, take a look at the old fan and the new fan and carefully compare the part numbers on the labels (if they are the same brand). Fans with more than 2 wires do not all have the same function on the 3rd (and additional, if present) wire. Sometimes the third wire is a simple "fan speed is OK" signal, sometimes it provides a pulse (at different voltages and frequencies) which indicates the actual fan speed. If the replacement fan provides a different type of signal, then the alarm you are seeing may be some form of complaint about the fan speed being out of spec.

If that doesn't explain the fault, carefully check to make sure that the other cables you disconnected are plugged back in to the correct places. Some connectors can be installed "off by one" pin position, which can cause hard-to-diagnose problems (and sometimes let the magic smoke out).

You might also check on eBay or similar sites to find another SUA2200RMXL3U and either get the fans from it or just use it as a complete replacement. There seen to be several in the $150-$200 Buy-it-now range, as well as one that is an auction (ending in 15 hours) with 0 bids and an opening price of $99.

Another possibility would be the APC Trade-UPS program, which would offer trade-in credit on your existing equipment toward the purchase of newer units. Even if you don't pursue that option at this time, you may want to consider it the next time you replace the batteries - rather than investing more in units that are aging and starting to have problems, you'd get a new model with warranty.

[BillP]

On 7/8/2015 2:52 AM, Terry said:

You say you purchased a replacement fan from somewhere?

From the fan manufacturer. It is exactly the same model fan.

On 7/8/2015 2:52 AM, Terry said:

Fans with more than 2 wires do not all have the same function on the 3rd (and additional, if present) wire.

It only has two wires. They were properly attached to the connector.

On 7/8/2015 2:52 AM, Terry said:

If that doesn't explain the fault, carefully check to make sure that the other cables you disconnected are plugged back in to the correct places. Some connectors can be installed "off by one" pin position, which can cause hard-to-diagnose problems (and sometimes let the magic smoke out).

This is the current idea. What we would need to do this would be a photo of the inside of the device, so we could compare the wire positions. This is why I'm asking if anyone has a photo of the inside.

On 7/8/2015 2:52 AM, Terry said:

Another possibility would be the APC Trade-UPS program, which would offer trade-in credit on your existing equipment toward the purchase of newer units.

This was the first thing we pursued, but we would need to get rid of all of our accessories, as I said. We have the extended battery pack and the network card, which won't work with any currently available unit.

[Terry_Kennedy_apc · Accepted solution]

I would have thought that APC could offer you a Trade-UPS quote which included the XR packs and the NMC. But if they said they don't, then I guess they don't.