Powerchute for xs 900? Right solution?

[Anonymous user]

I have a Backups XS 900 and am looking for the powerchute software for win xp. When I go to the APC page for software downloads the hardware options don't include the 900 version. I'm not sure which software option I'd want...

The problem I'm trying to solve is that the unit sometimes switches rapidly back and forth from "on-Line" to "on Battery" for no apparent reason. It doesn't do it all the time and can go for hours without this behavior but then might start doing it, off and on for the next two hours. It does it often when the computer is shut down in the middle of the night. This just started a couple of weeks ago. We had some winds that might have coincided with the issue (I can't remember exactly) and I'd also replaced the batteries with an off brand but that was at least a month before the problem started.

A quick search suggests that I might want to de-sensitize the voltage regulation thru the Powerchute software. The unit is several years old and I've lost track of the original disk.

Does anyone have experience with this problem and does de-sensitizing the voltage regulation sound like the right solution?

Thanks,
John

[BillP]

hi john. this unit is compatible with powerchute personal edition 3.0 which you should be able to find from the download section on the website.

http://www.apc.com/tools/download/index.cfm

i agree with your path to a resolution here - install the software, see what it has to say. the software needs to be running to catch any issues, meaning the computer would need to be on overnight to see why the unit is switching but yes, you could lower the sensitivity to medium or low and monitor it.

hope that helps.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for the reply. I finally got time to try this but the install notes say "*The APC UPS cable must be connected to the USB port of your*
*computer.*" I see no UPS cables other than the power cord and I find no usb ports on the UPS unit.

Is the 900XS even compatible with the Powerchute software? If not, is there another way to dampen the voltage fluctuation response?

Thanks,
John

[BillP]

yes, it is compatible. the cable that is required is a USB to RJ-45 cable, [AP9827 or 940-0127|http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=AP9827]. the RJ-45 end plugs into the back of the UPS into the RJ-45 jack (looks like a network jack) and its labeled Data Port. then, the USB end goes into your computer. this cable is shipped with every Back UPS so it may have been with your literature kit. you can buy it at the link above if you don't have it.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks again. The link takes me to a page showing the cable but I don't see a function to purchase it.
It looks like there are some on Ebay that are the same thing. Maybe a Best Buy or Radio Shack type of store would have them too?

[Anonymous user]

Well I ordered a cable via Ebay and have every confidence that it will work to connect my pc to my ups. However, I think I've solved my problem without the cable. Turns out the ups sensitivity to voltage fluctuation can be adjusted without a cable. The procedure is in the manual. I followed the instructions and it seems to have resolved the problem but the low sensitivity setting is "not recommended for computer loads".
Years ago I had a motherboard that was very sensitive to voltage fluctuation but I haven't seen any problems since then. Does anyone know the reason to avoid the low sensitivity setting for computer loads?

The manual can be found on this site:
http://sturgeon.apcc.com/techref.nsf/partnum/990-2164/$FILE/990-2164-EN.pdf

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks.