Powering on a SUA1000 when the power is out

[Anonymous user]

I have a pair of SUA1000s (Smart-UPS 1000) that don't turn on if they are not connected to wall power. Is this normal?

Page 11 of the manual at http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z8LFV_R1_EN.pdf makes me think this is by design. Is there a way around that? Not being able to turn on a UPS because it was off when the power went out is really annoying.

They both pass self test and have new batteries.

They normally power dumb equipment, but I can hook them to a PC running PowerChute Business Edition for testing and configuration.

Thanks,

Dan

[Anonymous user]

THANK YOU !
I recently acquired a second APC Smart-UPS 1000 (this one an SUA1000, but not sure of exact model number of other one).

I had tried pressing and holding various button combinations after simply pressing & releasing Start button, and also pressing and holding start button for a while - watching the LED's, expecting it to start up ....... then pressing BOTH start and stop buttons at same time, then pressing and holding both for a while, then pressing the OFF button first (hearing clicks inside ... thinking I was on the right track ....)

Finally I used Google to search, found this answer, tried it - with immediate POSITIVE results !
(actually, i had to try three times, because the first time I waited slightly too long - just AFTER 2nd beep - NO GO, and 2nd time I tried holding forever, waiting for another LONG beep. Then realized the first beep is short, and the second beep is longer - which gives user a chance to release button DURING the beep ! )

This means I can carry the unit in my car, and have 670 watts of SINE WAVE power whenever I need it ! ... if only for 10 minutes or so ...

Again - Thank You very much.

[BillP]

You are welcome John. Glad to know that we were able to help you out.

[Anonymous user]

Can I PM you? Or do you want it in the public thread?

A lot of companies don't like support and forums to mix.

[Anonymous user]

I have tried holding the button down for a while. I will be onsite tomorrow, and will pay closer attention.

Do you know how long I need to hold the button down for? Where would I find this documented?

Thanks,

Dan

[BillP]

i am not sure where it is documented to be honest with you. i searched the knowledgebase and do not see Smart UPS listed there for cold start instructions.

you just want to make sure AC power is unplugged and the batteries are securely connected before holding down the "test" button and waiting for the beeps. once you hold it down and hear the second beep, you can let go and the online LED should start flashing and the on battery LED will be solid.

[BillP]

you need to cold start the unit. if you hold down the on button (or test button), do you hear a series of beeps? you should hear two, and you want to hold down the on button until the second beep and let go as soon as you hear it. this should allow you to start the unit off of its battery. if its not working, i have to assume you are timing it incorrectly or there is possibly an issue but i doubt it if both are doing this.

let me know if you have tried this yet and what your results are 🙂

[Anonymous user]

i picKed a winna wrote:
i do find it strange that neither unit is providing a beep, assuming batteries are connected properly.

They do beep. When I press or press and hold the power/test button I get a single beep and a flicker on some front panel lights. Between 1.5 and 3 seconds later I can hear the relays switch inside the unit. There are, however no front panel lights and the load is not powered. From this state pressing the on/test or off button gives a beep. Pressing and holding the off button gives a beep, a delay, then the relays cycle with a flicker of the front panel lights.

Interestingly, after doing this multiple times (to make sure I had the beeps, relays, and lights correct) it just turned on. I tried another seven or eight times, and it worked one more time.

Color me confused.

[Anonymous user]

I don't think this model supports cold start. I held the power/test button down for over thirty seconds without getting a second beep.

Here is what I got from support.

Dan, I understand that the UPS has passed the Self test. I was
suggesting you to perform the Self test in order to check the integrity
of the battery.

I am afraid it is not possible to turn the UPS, when there is No power
supply fed to the UPS. In that case, while the UPS is made to turn On,
through the On/Off button, the UPS will first try to recognize the Input
Power, fed to the UPS. When, the UPS finds that there is no Input power
fed to the UPS, it will not power On. In that case, the UPS will not
even power on On battery.

However, if you want to have the UPS working On battery, then you can
leave the UPS turned On, when the Input power is disconnected, so that
you can have the UPS working On battery, with no Input power. Otherwise,
it is not possible to use the UPS, when it is turned off, when the Input
power is turned off.

I hope it helps regarding your concern. If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to assist you.

Thank you for your time!

Thanks for your help. I will try to train the people using the UPSs (which I re-purposed from a server room.) If that doesn't work I will have to find a brand.

Take care,

Dan

Message was edited by: ComputerX

Message was edited by: ComputerX

[BillP]

i am APC support as well and if the model is SUA1000, then you can definitely cold start it. I have done it myself.

a self test is done when the unit is being fed AC power and you want it to put it on battery for 30 seconds or so. if you'd like to provide me your incident number, i can follow up with the person that told you that because i believe with 100% certainty that it is incorrect. i'd like to know where they got their info anyway.

i do find it strange that neither unit is providing a beep, assuming batteries are connected properly.

[BillP]

i agree. we dont have a problem mixing forums and support - i want to make sure you get the assistance you need by the way of correct information. you can PM me if you want or I can email you if your profile email is correct.

have you checked the voltage on the batteries by the way?

[Anonymous user]

i picKed a winna wrote:
we dont have a problem mixing forums and support

Incident: 100806-000612

Is that what you need? The email address I used to register for the forum will deliver to my personal account. The case is under a client email address.

[Anonymous user]

Odd. I pasted the incident number in my post, but I don't see it.

My forum registration email is fine. Or I can repost the incident number here. I couldn't figure out how to PM you.

I sure appreciate your help.

[Anonymous user]

i picKed a winna wrote:
have you checked the voltage on the batteries by the way?

It must have been discharging overnight, because it is currently showing 24.7 volts and 12% capacity. It had full capacity yesterday.

[BillP]

alrighty, float voltage should be 27.55 vdc. is there still no utility power available to be able to just plug the unit into the wall to charge? the unit doesnt need to be turned on to charge.

i still believe a battery at 24vdc should allow you to cold start without the issues that you encountered.

[Anonymous user]

After charging overnight the voltage was 27.54. After 45 minutes on battery (with no load) the voltage was 25.65.

The symptoms have not changed.

[Anonymous user]

Dear i picKed a winna,

In Viet Nam, I have 2 case with the same problem, I can't power on SUA1000 in battery mode, but when power line plug in, UPS auto power on,

Please help me...

Many thanks!
AnhMT

[BillP]

Good day AnhMT,

Have you tried contacting our Vietnam Technical Support? If not, they can be reached at the following.

Phone Support: 1201 1101 or + 84 9022 72433 or + 84 9192 72433
E-mail Support: asetech@apcc.com

[Anonymous user]

Dear JonPro,

Many thank for your information,
i will contact to APC support in VietNam, if not, i will feedback to you

Thank you very much!
AnhMT

[BillP]

You're welcome. Please do give us an update.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

I have a pair of SUA1000s (Smart-UPS 1000) that don't turn on if they are not connected to wall power. Is this normal?

Page 11 of the manual at http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z8LFV_R1_EN.pdf makes me think this is by design. Is there a way around that? Not being able to turn on a UPS because it was off when the power went out is really annoying.

They both pass self test and have new batteries.

They normally power dumb equipment, but I can hook them to a PC running PowerChute Business Edition for testing and configuration.

Thanks,

Dan