Missing ability to set "Battery Health Alarm Time" on some AP9630 cards

[Pietje]

I have a couple of AP9630 cards with various software versions. I noticed that on some cards I was missing the "Battery Health Alarm Warning Time" and "Battery Health Alarm Sleep Time" options. These options are there to set the amount of days when the UPS starts alerting that I needs a battery replacement. 

I thought that a software update to v7.1.6 would perhaps fix this. But even after a update I'm still missing these options.

See screenshots below. 

[Teken]

These options have never been available on the SMX / SMT Series UPS. They are available on the SRT / Other models though. 

[Pietje]

I have these options available on all (about 30) of my SMT1500RMI2UC and SMT3000RMI2UC models, and it does send out messages when the threshold is triggered. 

I have 10 x SMT1500RMI2U (so without the "C") where these options aren't available. And I have one SMT1500RMI2U where it is available (version v6.4.0).

Can you please explain that? Thanks.

I what happens when these options are not available / configured. Doesn't it send out battery replacement messages? 

[Teken]

As I suspected these options are on the newer (C) Smart Connect enabled devices. As you noted the older legacy hardware do not incorporate those options. 

I just scanned another 365 SMX / SMT units and all of the newer models do have these options depending upon UPS firmware / NMC Firmware.

There was a transition in the 6.XX NMC firmware where features such as the Cisco Energy Wise was removed along with other random things.

The biggest improvement for us in the UPS firmware was having the ability to program the LCD to go dark / sleep.

You’ll probably have to load one of the units with same UPS firmware that show these options to see if they appear.

As to your last question any device that does not have those options. Do not send out any email alerts. I rely on the battery installation date counter and our NMS.

Which provides the same functionality and notifications for pre-alert / order now. 

[Pietje]

So it seems then that for SMT1500RMI2U unit with v6.4.0 you do have this option available. However I would like to update the firmware of this unit as well. 

I also have the days until a battery needs to be replaced in the UPS in my NMC (using snmp). But I would also like to have this option in the UPS itself. 

Why would this functionality be removed on older models, but not on newer once? Seems to me its a good addition to the product. Can it be added again? 

[Teken]

What is the UPS serial number, firmware and ID that’s running NMC firmware v6.4.0 that has those options?

[Pietje]

SKU: SMT1500RMI2U

Serial Number: <removed>

Firmware Revision: UPS 09.3 (ID18)

Model Number: AP9630

Serial Number: <removed>

See screenshots below: 

<removed>

[Teken]

I would load NMC firmware v6.4.0 to a similar unit to see if those two options appear. Going this route is a lot less dangerous than loading the UPS firmware.

Do you have another SMT 9.3 / ID18? 

[Pietje]

Yeah I got many more SMT 9.3 / ID18. But where can I find v6.40 ? I'm willing to give it a try

[Teken]

You’ll need to reach out to APC Technical Support. If they have a copy they will relay the same to you in a email / restricted link.

I would highly suggest you call out (The Why) as to the firmware request and reference this specific thread to save you time in explaining.

They will know if those features are in the NMC firmware vs UPS firmware / Both. 👍