Battery Question

[BillP]

This question was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 1/22/2016

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Hi,

To replace an SMT3000 I destroyed, I recently purchased an SMT2200 manufactured back in Feb of 2013.  The unit was new, in it's original packaging, etc.  I unwrapped the unit, installed an AP9630, connected the front-most battery and plugged it in.

Installation went well and the batteries indicated an initial charge level of about 95%.  In less than an hour, the battery level was up to 100% and the float voltage is +54.5 VDC.

I was quite surprised that the batteries appeared to have "survived" almost 3 years in storage.  My questions are 1) is this typical of the quality of battery that APC uses and 2) what do you think my prospects are for having the original set of batteries lasting through the expressed warranty period of, what is it, two years?

Your thoughts and experiences are most welcome!

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 1/22/2016

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Hi,

The battery may be new. Depending on where you purchases the unit from the battery may have been swapped before shipping. There should be a bar code sticker on the battery with a serial number that would list the date. You can check that. If not we expect the batteries to last 3 to 6 years so that would cover the warranty period.

Note: Unless you disable it the unit will run a self-test every 2 weeks so if the battery were to fail you will be alerted.  

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 1/22/2016

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Yep, thanks for the information Bill.  If I have the opportunity to remove the batteries for whatever reason I'll check for barcodes and dates.

Hope the winter storm doesn't tear you all up like it's supposed to do here in the DC area.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Gareth on APC forums on 1/22/2016

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Set the UPS to not turn off on power loss so it will run flat then unplug from the mains and let the UPS run down, put a load on to start with then disconnect the load for the last few% until it turns off, put the mains back in and let it charge, after it has sat at 100% overnight (the float voltage will give it a few more amps) put a minimum 30% load on it and perform the runtime calibration. This will give the batteries a workout and help give a true runtime, also if you have a duff battery in the pack this will show you now rather than later when you need it!

On 1/22/2016 12:00 PM, Joe said:

Yep, thanks for the information Bill.  If I have the opportunity to remove the batteries for whatever reason I'll check for barcodes and dates.

Hope the winter storm doesn't tear you all up like it's supposed to do here in the DC area.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 1/22/2016

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Sounds like a plan.  As we are on the front end of a very large storm here in the DC area I'll wait until it's blown itself out.

Thanks Gareth,

Joe

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 1/25/2016

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Hi Bill,

The batteries in my unit both have part # 911-0050A and the serial numbers are 7H1251F15550 and 7H1251F1551 respectively.  There are no other numbers that I can find on the packs.

Can you tell what the dates are these packs were put together?  Thanks in advance!

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 1/25/2016

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Hi,

The batteries were manufactured the 51 week of 2012 so they are close to the same age as the UPS. since they are performing properly you should monitor them for self-test failure and at that point replace them. 

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 1/25/2016

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I appreciate the response.  I am still amazed at the level of charge as the unit was in it's factory packaging including the plastic inner wrap and didn't seem to be molested one bit.  I guess the vendor could have charged them but I don't think so.

Thanks Bill!

Joe