Bad 2200XL or Replace Batteries?

[Kenneth_apc]

I picked up used Smart-UPS 2200XLNET on the cheap thinking that I might need to replace the batteries. When I turn it on it beeps after a few seconds and lights up the replace battery indicator. Will replacing the batteries positively fix the problem or is it possible there could be something else wrong with the unit. I don't want to spend the money getting new batteries if that won't fix the unit.

Thanks,

Ken

[BillP]

On the replace battery indicator, is it solid or flashing? I'd probably measure the voltage on the batteries in thUPS and look for a date code on the batteries to see if you can tell how old they are just to get an idea.

Some of these older UPSs, if they have been turned off/discharged for a very long time will require good batteries to start up. It does sound like batteries will solve the issue but it is really tough to be 100% positive. That is why I suggest to measure the voltage on the batteries and see if you can find out how old they are to help make the decision a little easier. If these did seem to be "new" batteries then I'd be a little more skeptical.

If you were to try batteries, I'd validate the return policy on whereever you get them just in case there is a problem with the UPS that you won't be able to know before you get good batteries in there and try to start it up and find there to be another hardware fault or something.

[Kenneth_apc]

The replace battery indicator is solid red with a constant chirping. The date code wasn't punched on any of the batteries so I can't tell how old they are. The voltages I measured across the four batteries were 4.8v, 4.7v, 4.5v and 3.1v. The last battery was split open along one edge so that one is bad. It doesn't look like it leaked and there was no corrosion in the UPS case.

They looked like replacement batteries because the label said Universal Battery. The battery model was UB12180 and it was rated at 12v and 18Ah. According to the website, my model of APC UPS is a compatible product.

The model of the UPS is SU2200XLNET and the serial number is WS0052005295.

[BillP]

OK, so those should be 12V batteries. I believe in this UPS has them wired in series to create a 48VDC battery system (which floats at 55VDC).

I recommend you look into replacing the batteries and it is a logical next step based on the information you've shared so far. We won't know if there are other problems until the UPS starts up but I do think the discharged batteries are stopping the UPS from starting up.

[Kenneth_apc]

I have ordered new batteries. They should be arriving today. Is there anything special I need to do when replacing them? I have seen a few message threads where some people have had problems when doing this.

[BillP]

What type of problems? To replace batteries on a Smart-UPS, you can do it "hot." You'll just remove any bezel or plate in the way, disconnect the old batteries, (the UPS will technically no have battery back up for this short period of time), you'll see a flashing replace battery LED to indicate there are no batteries, you connect the new ones, let them charge up for at least a few hours in the UPS while the UPS is connected to AC power and turned off (which they should charge like that), then give it a whirl and turn them on. 

The only issues I've seen would be if the old batteries are stuck and had swollen/vented but that is the minority of cases.

[Kenneth_apc]

I've heard of the run time on battery power not being as long as before the battery replacement or run time dropping fairly quickly. I thought there might be some type of configuration that may need to be done.

Since I just acquired the UPS and have nothing connected to it, I figured I would just install the new batteries and plug it in overnight before I try connecting anything to it.

[Terry_Kennedy_apc · Accepted solution]

If you ordered a genuine APC RBC pack, it should be plug-and-go. If you ordered generic batteries, before you remove the cables from the old batteries, take pictures of where all the cables go and how the batteries are laid out, and duplicate that when attaching the cables to the replacement batteries. There are consequences to doing it wrong, ranging from not being able to fit the batteries back into the UPS, to the UPS not detecting the batteries, to ka-bloom (another poster here had that happen when they hooked the batteries up backwards). Also, don't wiggle the F2 connectors on the battery cables too much when removing them, or you can end up with poor connections which cause problems. If they are loose on the new battery terminals, you can carefully squeeze the curled-over part of the connector to tighten its grip. Of course, this is not supported or recommended by APC - that's one of the reasons they sell complete RBCs. One last hint is that sometimes the batteries that make up a set are stuck together with double-sided sticky foam tape. That helps you not need an extra set of hands when trying to slide the whole mess back into the UPS. Your local office megastore should have this if you want to stick the new batteries together.