Help Pls!! UPS DL1400RM UPS No longer compensating for a high input voltage

[Anonymous user]

Hi All;

I have (or better had) an UPS DL1400 rack mounted with 2 AP9617 NMCs, which was working all fine until yesterday. The unit is configured to send emails to em in case of any problems, these are the emails i have received yesterdaym, before the unit stopped working:

UPS: Started a self-test.
UPS: The battery power is too low to continue to support the load; the UPS w...
UPS: Compensating for a high input voltage.
UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the U...
UPS: A low battery condition no longer exists.
UPS: Passed a self-test.
UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
UPS: Compensating for a high input voltage.
Many repeated like the above
UPS: The battery power is too low
UPS: On battery power in response to an input power problem. to continue to support the load; the UPS w...

And now the UPS does not power on, and when it powers on by the use of a cold start, it reports that the UPS is not connected to the mains, which is.

I have checked the fuses, the breaker, the power lead, the socket, all in fact - all fine. The batteris seems to be fine.

Can you share any information that might help me to re-vive this unit.

I can login to the NMC , but it does not give an option for the UPS, just for the NMC only.

Many thanks

Lucio

Message was edited by: luciogodoy

Message was edited by: luciogodoy

[Anonymous user]

Hi buzz;

I had 2 NMC's 9617 connected to it because the UPS used to sit between 2 networks: DMZ and Inside, I had one NMC configured for the 172.0.0.0 range and another for the 192.0.0.0 range. This was just a network design.

I enclose a picture of the NMC web page (ups_web.gif), it does not offer an option to login and change options on the UPS, you will notice that there is a tab missing.

In relation to the log files, the file enclosed (ups_log.txt) is the only surving log i have from the UPS, i did not have the ups connected to a log server.

I have tried to connect to the UPS via terminal (2400 Baud, 8 data bits, 1 Stop bit, no parity, Protocol is Xon/Xoff ) and i got this screen after login in (Serial_UPS_Screen.txt) and if i connect again and press SHIFT + Y I get back “ SM ”, and if i keep on pressing keys on the keyboard i get answers from the UPS, but unfortunatelly nothing that i can undertand.

I hope this can help further. Do you know if it is possible to buy an electrical schematic from this unit from APC, pls?

thanks

Lucio

Message was edited by: luciogodoy

[BillP]

Nope, APC doesn't sell any schematics on the units...

I'm guessing you're using some sort of card expander in order to be using 2 cards at once. Is this currently still the configuration? Where is the card that you're trying to access installed?

I would imagine the cards are still fine, though you could always try to pull them both (and any other accessories) out of the config to see if it makes a difference.

If that doesn't work, it sounds like the UPS is toast. Maybe it took a surge and can't detect input voltage anymore. Something's definitely not quite right, since even the cards can't communicate with it anymore.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Buzz;

I have already stripped the unit of any extras, tried acessing via the serial port only, installed only one NMC, and all remains the same.

The funny thing about all this, i have removed the PCB from the metal case for a quick inspection, and there are no visible signs of components being "toasted", it looks brand new!

I beilieve it might the time to give-up and pull the plug!!

Thanks

Lucio

[Anonymous user]

Why are you having a constant high input voltage problem?

first send "z" after "SM" response. This returns UPS to factory default, then adjust sensitivity.

Read the manual for instructions. If you don't use APC software and it doesn't have a hardware button for switching sensitivity, do it with HyperTerminal.

APC off-line UPSs like the one you have is quite picky about frequency drift and excessive THDs.
Even if the voltage is fine, if these parameters deviate excessively, there is nothing you can do to prevent the UPS to stop from switching over to battery. It's a common problem if you're running on generator power.

I don't feel like explaining the protocol, but you can find it by searching the web. Set the sensitivity to low and transfer max/min to highest/lowest. These steps can resolve nuisance switch over caused by devices like laser printers.

[Anonymous user]

Hi KVAr;

I have moved forward with your help.

The UPS is switching on, but still compensating for over power. I am connected directly to the mains (UK 240VAC) and the voltage is there about.

I have logged in via the serial cable and i am able to connect to the device, where b4 i couldn't.

This is the output from the initial screen:

American Power Conversion Network Management Card AOS v3.6.1
(c) Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved Smart-UPS & Matrix-UPS APP v3.5.8
-----
Name : apc_data_centre Date : 02/05/2010
Contact : lucio Time : 15:32:35
Location : UK User : Administrator
Up Time : 0 Days 0 Hours 3 Minutes Stat : P+ N+ A+

Smart-UPS 1500 named nada : On Line, AVR Trim Enabled, No Alarms Present

-----
Control Console
-----
Please note that i have a Smart UPS 1400, at the back i have a sticker with the following: DL1400RMi S/N GS0326140801

I have issued the commands:
SHIFT+y ->SM
1 (wait 4 secs)
1 ->PROG
b -> 160.4.1 (firmware revision)
o -> 240
u -> 265
l -> 208
s -> L
*0 -> 87*
*6 -> FF*
*5 -> FF*
*4 -> FF*

I believe that the firmware that i am using, might not support this unit hence it is reporting smart UPS 1500. Another poit to consider, if you look at this report:

-----
Status of UPS : On Line, AVR Trim Enabled, No Alarms Present
Last Transfer : Due to software command or UPS's test control
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Input Voltage : 280.8 VAC Operating Frequency : 50.00 Hz
Output Voltage : 249.1 VAC Internal Temperature: 019.3 C
Load Power : 000.0 % Watts Battery Voltage : 27.67 VDC
Max Line Voltage : 280.8 VAC Battery Capacity : 013.0 %
Min Line Voltage : 000.0 VAC Runtime Remaining : 0035 min
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Self-Test Result : Passed Calibration Result : Not available
Self-Test Date : 02/05/2010 Calibration Date : 07/03/2008
-----
The input voltage is reporting 280.8 VAC, and the Max Line Voltage is 280.8 VAC, this is the reason i have the AVR Trim LED on. Maybe somewhere near to the input stage at the PCB board level a component fried, and is providing the wrong level of voltage to the CPU.

Do you have an UPS 1400RM to isuue and check the following commands pls?

SHIFT+y ->SM
1 (wait 4 secs)
1 ->PROG
b -> (firmware revision)
o ->
u ->
l ->
s ->
*0 -> *
*6 -> *
*5 -> *
*4 -> *

I have been using this site as a ref: [http://www.apcupsd.com/manual/manual.html#eeprom-values]
and this one also: [http://www.wsrcc.com/wolfgang/ups/]

Thanks a lot.

Lucio

[BillP]

This is the part where it lists your network card firmware:

American Power Conversion Network Management Card AOS v3.6.1
(c) Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved Smart-UPS & Matrix-UPS APP v3.5.8

You have the right firmware on the card, though you could always try to update it. I don't know too much about international units unfortunately.

http://www.apc.com/tools/download/ > Filter by software/firmware > Firmware Upgrades: Network Management Card (last option in the drop-down) > Submit > Download part # SFSUMX372 (2nd from the bottom)

However, the firmware that's inherent to the unit is not user-changeable, so I'd have a hard time understanding how it would magically not be compatible with your unit. That's the fw that ships on the board. You can't download new fw anywhere and just change it to whatever strikes your fancy, so I don't know how anyone would change it to an incompatible version. 😛

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Ok, this is reasonable. small L is lower transfer voltage. u is upper transfer voltage.

upper L (entered by pressing shift + L) reports current voltage. First, get a known good AC voltmeter and connect to power source. If this is pretty close to 280v as your UPS is reporting, you need to correct the problem.

If your UPS is reporting wrong values, you can try this at your risk:

go into PROG,

shift + L

"+" key on ten key, then the "-" key. Write the value down. This is your current settings.
Hit "-" a few times. This changes the input voltage detection calibration. Check every couple strokes.
Ideally, you should be able to adjust it until query result is close to what your external volt meter is reading.

luciogodoy wrote:
SHIFT+y ->SM
1 (wait 4 secs)
1 ->PROG
b -> 160.4.1 (firmware revision)
o -> 240
u -> 265
l -> 208

[Anonymous user]

Hi Buzz and KVAr;

Problem now fixed, i believe I had a power surge and the firmware settings got currupted and by accessing the firmware dicrectly using the SHIFT+Y method, with your help the UPS is back on.

I have done more digging around the option 'b' and managed to find a firmware revision number 162.4.I which displays the correct name for the device: Smart UPS 1400RM.

This was a good guide: [http://www.apcupsd.com/manual/manual.html#interpretation-of-the-new-firmware-revision]

As i was cycling through the 'b' options, i was checking the SHIFT+V to get the KWI combination:

This is a three character string XYZ

where X == Smart-UPS or Matrix-UPS ID Code.
range 0-9 and A-P
1 == unknown
0 == Matrix 3000
5 == Matrix 5000
the rest are Smart-UPS and Smart-UPS-XL
2 == 250 3 == 400 4 == 400
6 == 600 7 == 900 8 == 1250
9 == 2000 A == 1400 B == 1000
C == 650 D == 420 E == 280
F == 450 G == 700 H == 700XL
I == 1000 J == 1000XL K == 1400
L == 1400XL M == 2200 N == 2200XL
O == 3000 P == 5000

where Y == Possible Level of Smart Features, unknown???
G == Stand Alone
T == Stand Alone
V == ???
W == Rack Mount

where Z == National Model Use Only Codes
D == Domestic 115 Volts
I == International 230 Volts
A == Asia ?? 100 Volts
J == Japan ?? 100 Volts




I have also adjusted the input voltage to teh correct and measured value of 243.5 Vac.

All in all i believe i got to know my UPS from inside out!!!

Thanks again (if near windsor - uk, buzz me and i'll treat you for a pint or 2)

Lucio

[Anonymous user]

Hi All;

I have (or better had) an UPS DL1400 rack mounted with 2 AP9617 NMCs, which was working all fine until yesterday. The unit is configured to send emails to em in case of any problems, these are the emails i have received yesterdaym, before the unit stopped working:

UPS: Started a self-test.
UPS: The battery power is too low to continue to support the load; the UPS w...
UPS: Compensating for a high input voltage.
UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the U...
UPS: A low battery condition no longer exists.
UPS: Passed a self-test.
UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
UPS: Compensating for a high input voltage.
Many repeated like the above
UPS: The battery power is too low
UPS: On battery power in response to an input power problem. to continue to support the load; the UPS w...

And now the UPS does not power on, and when it powers on by the use of a cold start, it reports that the UPS is not connected to the mains, which is.

I have checked the fuses, the breaker, the power lead, the socket, all in fact - all fine. The batteris seems to be fine.

Can you share any information that might help me to re-vive this unit.

I can login to the NMC , but it does not give an option for the UPS, just for the NMC only.

Many thanks

Lucio

Message was edited by: luciogodoy

Message was edited by: luciogodoy

[Paradisebaker]

Hi Lucio

did you ever manage to get the 1400 with the 9617 to fly again?

I got a similar problem, except my power is reported too low, allegedly it is ~195vac where it actually is a a stable 232.

thanks

Markus

[JonPro]

Hi @Paradisebaker 

The procedure that was given to the link that you have shared wouldn't matter if you have an AP9630/AP9617 since it communicates to the UPS directly and from what I see, that UPS has an AP9617.

As far as I remember, you would need the Smart Signaling cable (940-0024/940-1524) attached to the UPS and to a serial port on a computer and a terminal emulation software for the SU1400RMXLIB3U UPS.  Keep in mind as well that the APCUPSD is not from APC hence, it would be best to reach out through their e-mail lists.

[Paradisebaker]

Hi JonPro

I did try connecting to the UPSs serial port, got the connection up with 2400Baud,..... .

That being said, I only get a prompt if the network card is inserted, if there is no card, no prompt.

And even via the console, I only get the menue points that the network card offers.

I did by now obtain a 9630, updated the firmware to the newest available, but still cannot get any config or troubleshooting item to adjust the detected voltage.

There must be a way to do this. Does anybody know?

Thanks for any help

Best regards

Markus