LX 16000 Battery System Status shows 2 new batteries "Vacant"

[Anonymous user]

Added two additional (total of 4) new APC batteries last fall to increase run time but they show as vacant.  Any help would be appreciated.

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Battery System Status   Battery Capacity: 100.0 % Runtime Remaining: 15min Nominal Battery Voltage: 120.0 VDC Actual Battery Bus Voltage: 137.3 VDC Battery Frame Status Frame Status Bad Good Total Vacant Main  OK 0 2 2 2 Total   0 2 2 2

[BillP]

Hi John,

I would refer to forum

http://forums.apc.com/spaces/8/data-center-facility-3-phase-ups/forums/general/7699/apc-ups-symmetra...

Kindest Regards,

Rich…

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for the response Richard but I had seen that thread and the only suggested solution I see in there is resetting the MIM, although this didn't full resolve the users problem.

Am I missing something?

[BillP]

Hi John,

Referring to out FAQ FA158934 What is the expected life of my APC UPS battery?

Storage: Do not store APC batteries for extended periods of time. New batteries/units should be stored for no more than 6 months from date of purchase, as they ship from the factory at approximately 80% charge. After this period, the battery should be used or it will lose a great deal of its charge . It is not advisable to store batteries that have already been in use. Extended storage without periodic charging can result in shortened life expectancy and erratic battery performance.

Temperature also plays a large part in battery degradation during storage:

• If the ambient temperature during storage is - 15°C to + 30°C (+ 5°F to + 86°F), perform a full recharge cycle at least every six months.
• In environments where the ambient temperature is + 30°C to + 45°C (+ 86°F to + 113°F), perform a full recharge cycle at least every three months.

If you are seeing vacant. The UPS is not detecting the battery module. If it’s been this was since last year, I would question the quality of the battery.

Is there a possibility the batteries could have been without charge for long periods of time before they were installed in the UPS?

When you originally purchased the batteries and installed them, did you see the increase of batteries in the UPS battery status page?

Is the DC switch on the front of the new battery closed?

Have they ever been seen to be working correctly?

Kindest Regards,

Rich…

[Anonymous user]

Thanks again Richard.  We ordered brand new batteries to replace the existing batteries in the chassis.  The original chassis had 3 batteries, we purchased 4 brand new batteries and installed them as part of a preventive maintenance program.  The batteries were purchased brand new from CDW and were delivered in late November 2017 and installed the first week of December 2017.  I do not think that they sat very long.

Upon initial installation of the batteries only two of the four showed up.  The other two show as vacant and have never been working correctly.

We only have two power modules, they are installed in bays 3 & 5. 

The two batteries that are functioning are in bays 1 & 3.

All self tests are successful.

I will pull the vacant batteries today and see if the DC switch is closed.  I am not sure what that is but I will take a look and report back.

Is there a non disruptive procedure for resetting the MIM?

John

[BillP]

Hi John,

The DC switch can be found on the front of the battery. It is a black plastic button that allows the DC to be connected / disconnected. It is advised to disconnect the DC to the battery before its insertion and removal, then connect the DC when the battery is installed and ready to go.

Kind Regards,

Rich…

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks again Richard. So, I did some additional testing and it seems that even if I take a known good battery with the DC switch enabled and move it to a "vacant" battery slot it does not show up. 

I went ahead and ordered new management modules.  They will be here next week and I will have them installed.  I will report back when they are installed.

Thanks.

John