Connect to SmartUPS 3000

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I have been trying to connect to the SmartUPS 3000 we have in our office via serial cable to no avail.

I've tried connecting to the UPS with the powerchute software using this cable as well as the other rj to serial cable, but neither one seems to let me communicate with the UPS.

[BillP]

Hello,

To begin with, this appears to be a DLA3000RM2U - is that correct? (I was trying to zoom in on your last picture).

Secondly, what port settings are you using? And are you trying to use hyperterminal or similar to test and then PCBE long term? I just want to understand what you're trying to do so I can guide you.

I am thinking we may need to reset the UPS if you've been toggling between USB and serial? Once you touch the serial port or plug the cable in, it kills the serial communications and the UPS needs to be braindead to regain access to serial communications. This involves turning off any attached load and turning off the UPS and then "braindeading" it by removing it/unplugging from AC power and holding down the off (o) button on the front panel until the LEDs flash and you hear a click.

I also would like to know if you prefer USB or serial in the long term so we can decide how to proceed. If it is serial, we definitely will want to braindead the UPS at a convenient time and then we'll confirm the port settings and go from there.

[Anonymous user]

Thank you for the reply!

Good eye, it is indeed the DLA3000RM2U. I tried to connect with putty using settings 2400-8-None-1-XOn/XOff that I got from some of these threads.

The UPS alarm goes of every now and then and I was supposed to find out why. I thought that by logging onto it somehow I would be able to troubleshoot it better.

I think that we should use serial just because they probably want the USB ports on the server that the APC is attached to available for other things. 

[BillP]

Ok, those port settings are correct besides I'd want to use None for flow control.

Once you set that, try sending Shift [key] + Y and see if you get anything returned. It should say SM>. If not, we should follow that braindeading procedure when you can and start over with serial and re-try the Shift + Y. Once we get this part working through Putty, Hyperterminal, or similar, we could set up the PowerChute Business Edition Agent software to begin actively monitoring the UPS to see if the UPS has a periodic issue that should be addressed.

[voidstar_apc]

I'm curious if that's the APC serial cable that came with the UPS or a generic one.

[Anonymous user]

PuTTY is giving me an error that it is no longer able to open the serial port... I think braindeading the UPS is probably a good idea at this point.

voidstar, I am pretty sure it is indeed a APC cable. The wrong cable would shut the UPS down, right?

[BillP]

It may or may not. Not a bad idea to check the cable - check both of the DB-9 connector ends and it should say 940-0024 or 940-1524 on one of the ends for the part number. It also may say APC some place. Let's check that before braindeading.

Then, just make sure you didn't have multiple instances of PuTTy going or something else trying to access the serial port and we could proceed assuming this is the APC cable. Thanks for bringing that up voidstar.

[Anonymous user]

You guys are making me get on my hands and knees:P

It's a little difficult to see, but I believe it says 940 0024E.

[BillP]

Oopsy!

Ok, so you're fine. I suggest proceeding with braindeading. Let me know if any questions or you want me to help you with it offline. As I noted, it will require a full power down (unfortunately) and removal of the AC power and also the serial cable (which I didn't mention the serial cable previously but we should disconnect it too).

Here is what I said previously for reference on how to braindead:

I am thinking we may need to reset the UPS if you've been toggling between USB and serial? Once you touch the USB port or plug the cable in, it kills the serial communications and the UPS needs to be braindead to regain access to serial communications. This involves turning off any attached load and turning off the UPS and then "braindeading" it by removing it/unplugging from AC power and holding down the off (o) button on the front panel until the LEDs flash and you hear a click.

[Anonymous user]

Okay, that's what I'll do as soon as the boss gives me the go ahead.

I will remove the serial cable before beginning the braindeading process.

Is there a "best" cable for this? Finding more of them in the office... one says 940-0024C the other 940-1524C... One just says "UPS" in big letters, going to stay away from that one...

[BillP]

Nope - any revision of 940-1524 of 940-0024 will work - the 940-1524 is just 15 feet long instead of 6 feet and the letter revisions just indicate minor revisions to the cable but they all do the same thing. And yes, I agree, stay away from that other one that says UPS, lol.

[BillP]

Ok, so we know the UPS communication is working. That means if you start installing PowerChute Business Edition (you just need the "Agent" component), I'd suspect it will work fine or at a minimum, you can specify during installation to look at COM1 and we know it should work.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Okay, finally got a chance to do this. "Braindeaded" the UPS reconnected the serial cable, opened a terminal, hit Shift+Y and got this...

Alright! What's the next step:)