Runtime drops quickly - SMT3000RMI2U

[Anonymous user]

I have 2 identical SMT3000RMI2U with the exact same load, bought at the same time and with the original batteries.  Both have lived the same "life"!

I went to check the runtime on these UPS by turning off the power and then watching the battery level. Within seconds both had dropped substantially, the first to just under 70% and the other to 90%.

The first one then proceeded to drop battery capacity at twice the rate of the other.  The second battery pretty much discharging at the rate equal to the 25 mins that the control panel reported with the battery fully charged, however the other dropped rapidly.

With a load of 25% on both UPS, after 12 mins the first battery was down to 12%, the control panel said it would run for 25 mins from full charge but was 12% and only 3 mins runtime left. The other battery with same load was still at 48% batt capacity.

What could cause this disparity? Is the battery in the first UPS needing to be replaced? Its only 19 months old which seems pretty premature.

[BillP]

How long did each UPS actually run for? Did you allow them to run until they turned off?

My first thought is - to verify whether or not the issue is the reporting by the UPS or the battery, we'd want to see how long the battery supports the load by letting it run until the UPS turns off and charge it back up.

[Anonymous user]

After the full power shutdown test yesterday, the same thing happened one dropped rapidly and turned off before the other, which increased the load on the other and caused the runtime to drop quicker than it initially started at.

Also, is there a way to reduce the amount of time it takes to turn off the power group and then the UPS?  Both were counting down and then before it shutdown the UPS they must have run out of runtime and switched off before the countdown to UPS shutdown was reached. 

[BillP]

I sort of assumed you had a UPS Network Management Card installed but I don't see you ever mentioned it. Do you have an AP9630/31 installed? If so, to verify whether or not any type of configuration is causing this, can we review the log files? (event.txt, data.txt, and config.ini)

Instructions are here to download them if you need it -> How can I download Event, Data, Configuration, and Debug files from my Network Management Card? | FA...

Also, if you do have a Network Management Card, you can change the power on or off delays of the UPS and outlet groups (For more specific instructions, I need to know what firmware the NMC has). You can also do this from PowerChute Business Edition. The front panel LCD may offer it too but I am sure it will require lots of annoying button pressing.

I am thinking we should review the configuration just to make sure that nothing caused the other UPS to power off prior to it's runtime limit and then it is feasible the battery on that UPS does need to be replaced. They typically last 3-5 years but depending on usage, environment, the specific cells in the battery, etc it could vary.

[Anonymous user]

1 UPS has  a 9630 and the other a 9631.  I am trying to use PCNS 3.1....

If the batteries need replacing after this short time then that's really disappointing.  This along with the other info I have been told today regarding the APC and the PCNS I think its time to look at a different vendor.

[BillP]

The batteries are subject to many different factors unfortunately that may affect it's life. I think you'll find that with any lead acid battery and it is just the nature of the technology. This one could've had a manufacturing defect too that does not present itself until now, I am not sure.

If you want to send over the logs, I can confirm what I've mentioned and at least tell you my findings from the logs . It could be a configuration thing too.

[Anonymous user]

After a test power cut today the same UPS did the same thing.  Which logs do you require as the battery depleted very quickly where as the other identical one kept to the estimate run time under the same load.

[BillP]

Instructions here -> http://www.schneider-electric.us/support/index?page=content&country=US〈=en&id=FA156131

You can get me all of the logs or at least config.ini, data.txt, and event.txt at a minimum.

[Anonymous user]

How can I send you the logs directly rather than attach to a message?

[BillP]

I'll send you some credentials to an FTP. See if you can upload the files there. I am on vacation after today until Tuesday so if I don't see it before I leave, I should be able to look Tuesday.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Angela, we are facing the same problem for this SMT3000RMI2U, and it is a new unit.

After installation, we simulated a power failure, and the battery capacity was drop from 100% to 70% in 1 minute and the output load was only connected to 1 server (The load only show 1%). We suspect it may due to the connected load too low, so we agreed to connect all the servers and the load show 7.79% / 1.53A

We simulate the power failure for 2nd time and the battery capacity was drop to 55% in less than a minute.

Is there anything wrong to this new UPS?

Best regards,

Daniel

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

What is the serial number of the UPS? Also, what is the battery voltage before putting UPS on battery and then 1 minute after being on battery?