Marine Batts on RT 1000?

[mlewis_apc]

I've got a Smart UPS 10000 RT series which keeps giving me odd notices. I say odd because it complains about not being able to do a test saying that the load is too high, yet, adding load seemed to get rid of the message, for a while.

At this point, I am wanting to use external batteries. I used to run a series of 20 marine batteries which I used a special charger to maintain rather than the UPS. The beauty of that was that I had some 20Hrs of backup time. I no longer need this since I now have a generator but it seems that I need to change the batts in the 10000 so am looking at alternatives.

Could I use external batteries on this system and if so, what would be best? And yes, I'm talking other than UPS batts.

Thanks.

Mike

[Erasmus_apc]

Hi,

APC does not support the use of any external batteries other than our SURT192XLBP battery packs, which are specifically designed for the SURT10000 series. There is too much involved in using non-APC batteries, including DC harness and cable wiring, to sizing the batteries, to having the unit calculate runtime properly, etc. to support this kind of solution.

Customers have tried it before and it generally leads to runtime being calculated inaccurately, swelling batteries, temperature issues, and load drops.

[mlewis_apc · Accepted solution]

My string of 20 marine batteries worked perfectly on our 12KVA PowerWare system that we had and once saw the system put to the test for 7hrs.

However, the maintenance of the batteries was a pain. Had to buy a special charger, routinely check water levels, things like that. The generator means not having to count on battery time other than the switch over time.

I thought it might be an option. No big deal if it's not, just wondered if I might be able to get away with a smaller string or something.

Thanks for the input.

Mike