Matrix 5000 / Smartcell: battery messages & leds

[Anonymous user]

I have inherited a Matrix 5000 with 2 regular Smartcell modules. My info/questions are:

- I have had some spurious power drops from the Matrix recently, and have removed some equipment from it (wasn't overloaded with all connected). So far this seems to have stopped the power drops.
- the Matrix display reports status of "Online 27% Load"
- The Matrix Battery Test returns fail
- the Matrix displays says: "02 Battery Packs Need Replacement". Is this referring to 2 complete Smartcell modules or the individual batteries (4 each) within them?
- leds on the Smartcells are not lit up at all. One has a very (maybe) faint orangish glow in it, the other is completely dark. Is a 'bad' signal an 'on' led or an 'off' led for these?

In the main it seems that I need to replace both of the Smartcells (the are from 2000). Since the aren't XL models, I apparently need to replace them completely. I know one can buy the replacement batteries and swap them out. My questions on this are:

- since there isn't a reset for the non-XL units, does just replacing the batteries affect performance (ie. will the ups perform it's normal backup on battery)?
- will the Matrix just always report 'failed' and x battery packs need replacement (I have found the reset procedure on the board for this, but no one reports any success/failure when performing it)?

thx
~dave

[BillP]

yes, you are right. The regular SMARTCELL battery is not meant to be opened up and for the internal batteries to be replaced. The entire SMARTCELL should be replaced (see the link). There is no reset procedure for the regular SMARTCELL (only the SMARTCELL-XR) and APC cannot support nor gurantee that if you decide to open the SMARTCELL and replace the batteries that it will work correctly. You may run into a constant replacement battery LED being lit on the SMARTCELL or similar issues to those that you mentioned - such as it not detecting the batteries at all or constantly reporting failed batteries. The case/communication card is not a replaceable part on the SMARTCELL batteries.

hope this helps! please let us know if you need anything else.

[nexxt_apc · Accepted solution]

go to this http://forums.apc.com/spaces/11/netbotz-hardware-software/forums/general/5072/rackbotz-400-stuck-in-... thread

Message was edited by: nexxt