Back UPS battery compatibility

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I don't know very much about APC UPS, so I was wondering if someone here could clarify something for me. My company has both an APC Back UPS 1400 Pro and an APC Smart UPS 1400, and they look almost identical aside from the front panel. They also seem to have more or less identical specs. Our problem is that the Back UPS Pro is completely dead, while we believe that the Smart UPS just needs a battery replacement. After checking a few videos on YouTube, it looks like the batteries are pretty much the same. Could we get away with swapping the batteries between these two units, or are we going to have to spend the money for whole new batteries?

[BillP]

Hi,

Both UPS use the same battery pack (RBC7) so you can swap battery packs.

To find the proper replacement battery / battery pack we offer a battery replacement web site where you can enter the UPS model number and find the proper replacement. 

http://www.apc.com/tools/upgrade_selector/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAwPCjBRDZp9LWno3p7rEBEiQAGj3KJuKbLWtPRriIuGc...

[Anonymous user]

Hi Bill,

Thanks, that's what I thought but wanted to be absolutely sure before proceeding with swapping. I didn't think to check for the actual name of the battery pack (RBC7). Thanks for the link and info. I believe you've answered my question.

[Anonymous user]

On 3/31/2016 9:29 AM, Intelect said:

Our problem is that the Back UPS Pro is completely dead, while we believe that the Smart UPS just needs a battery replacement.

You may find that all the Back UPS Pro needs is a battery replacement as well. It is almost a Smart UPS and just like them, will act completely dead if its battery has failed. (It also has a true sinewave output, contrary to what the back panel says.)

[Anonymous user]

We actually bought new batteries for the Back UPS Pro, but swapping the batteries did not resolve the beeping. That's when we wanted to switch to the Smart UPS, but now that one is also beeping, so we want to try the new batteries that we bought for the Back UPS Pro in the Smart UPS and see what happens.

I've noticed that all of the battery lights are lit up again, however. They had gone from four out of five lights being lit to two out of five, and now that the 'check battery' light is red, they are back up to all five lights being lit, even when the unit is beeping. Does this still indicate that the batteries need to be replaced?

[Anonymous user]

Sometimes these things need a bit of encouragement to get with the program. Generally, that's done by removing all power from the unit (batteries+AC) and holding down the power button to force any stored energy to be discharged.

I believe that I'm correct in saying that even if the unit fails a self test and indicates that the battery needs to be replaced, that it will still try to charge the battery (insofar as that's actually possible). The currently installed batteries are very likely to be worn out, and should be replaced.

When you do replace the battery, give it at least eight hours to charge. After that you have several options to make the unit realize that it has new batteries:

1. Reset the battery constant value with a tool like the third party (not affiliated with, endorsed or approved by APC/Schneider Electric) APCFIX tool or ask APC support to send you a battery constant reset device. I believe they still offer these upon request. I have found this to be the single most effective way to get these units' attention and make them realize that they have a new battery.

2. Perform a runtime calibration with at least a 30% load on the UPS. There are two ways to do this: The first is under software control, using any of Powerchute Plus, apcupsd or even communicating directly with the UPS through a terminal emulator using APC Smart Protocol (UPSlink). The UPS will need to be loaded to about 30% or slightly more of its capacity rating.

The other way to do a runtime calibration does not require any software. You'll need a plain outlet strip with a switch and a load running to 30% or a bit more of the UPS's rated capacity that won't mind being dropped when the batteries run out. A bunch of light bulbs work well for this purpose. Safely shut down the load presently attached to the UPS and turn the UPS off. Connect the UPS to the test load, and plug it in to the outlet strip. Plug the outlet strip into a wall outlet. Turn the outlet strip on and start the UPS. Make sure the test load is on. Then turn off the outlet strip using its switch and let the unit run until its batteries are exhausted. When that's done, reconnect the unit as it was originally and the calibration will be complete.

Even if you use the APCFIX tool or a battery constant reset device, you may want to perform a runtime calibration immediately afterwards just to be sure the unit has the "right" idea about the condition of its batteries and doesn't "oversell" their capabilities, potentially resulted in an unexpected dropping of an important load.

The battery must be fully charged in order for the runtime calibration to be meaningful. Batteries should charge for at least eight hours.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

William,

Thanks, I'll just put the new batteries into the Smart UPS and power everything down like you suggested. I will check into the calibration stuff if there continue to be issues after the swap.