APC Smart UPS SUA1500i - new batteries, battery lights keep flashing?

[Anonymous user]

I have an APC UPS SUA1500i about eight+ years old.

A few days ago I had to replace the old flat and dead batteries with new ones, and since then the battery lights on the unit keep flashing simultaneously. Batteries have been charging for more that 24 hours since changing. Have also set the date of newly installed batteries in Powerchute.

If power goes out, the UPS shuts down all connected equipment straight away. It seems that it reckons the batteries are drained.

Tried discharging the batteries and unplugged the UPS from the mains, discharging took about 30 minutes which indicates that the batteries are fully charged and working fine. Even after letting the unit fully recharge the batteries, the battery light indicators keep flashing.

Have tried calibrating with APC Power Chute Business Edition, but there is no difference.

Status in Power Chute is:

Device Status On Line, Battery Discharged (Software Update Available)
UPS Load 20.1%
Runtime Remaining 0 Minutes
Internal Temperature 23.4°C / 74.1°F
Load Power 20.10% VA
Load Current 9.1 Amps

- Power Status
Input Voltage 231.8 VAC
Output Voltage 231.8 VAC
Input Frequency 50.0 Hz
Output Frequency 50.0 Hz

- Battery Status
Battery Charge 53.0%
Battery Voltage 27.7 VDC

Battery Status
Battery Status Normal
Battery Charge 62.0%
Battery Voltage 27.7 VDC

Diagnostics
Self Test Status
Last Self Test Date 20 March 2020 07:57:39 CET
Last Self Test Status Refused

Runtime Calibration Status
Last Runtime Calibration Date 20 March 2020 07:57:48 CET
Last Runtime Calibration Status Passed

As you can see Last Self Test Status is Refused (every time I tried it, even after charging the batteries for more than 24 hours).

What can I do to make the flashing disappear and the UPS recognize the new batteries.

Thank you and wishing everyone all well.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

hello, the same thing happened to me with another model.
After searching a lot (and not finding anything in APC support) I found the solution.

A parameter of the UPS has to be reconfigured through the console.

https://jlapdeploy.blogspot.com/2011/10/apc-smart-ups-discharge-status-reset.html

I hope it works for you