S20AV Can't Decide if its Batteries are Faulty

[Anonymous user]

I've got an S20 AV that I put fresh batteries (4 x UB1290) in on Jan 12, 2016.

At 7:55AM today, I got the dreaded "Critical - UPS: At least one faulty battery exists." message. Less than 1 minute later, I got "Informational - UPS: A faulty battery no longer exists."

Then, I got the faulty battery message again at 8:10AM and 8:25AM.

I don't want to have to put in fresh batteries after just a few months. What's the definitive procedure for testing which of these batteries is bad. Can I take one to an auto parts store (they're 12V like an auto battery) and it on their battery tester to see how they respond to a load? Obviously, I'd have to reduce the charging amperage way down on their equipment for testing purposes.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

UB1290 - that's a similar spec to CSB HR1234WF2 isn't it? - about a 5-7 year life span with normal use.

Bad new batteries happen, but it's unusual... my own experience is that a UPS fault is more common.

My personal quick & dirty test is to pull them out of service, let them sit for a week, and then measure them. A bad battery will identify itself by being significantly lower voltage than the others, after just a short period... typically dropping below 12V.

Edit: As an aside, I use Ultipower (ultipowercharger.com) UBC-2-12V-3.4A charger for maintaining CSB HRL1234W batteries, which are pretty similar spec. I actually have 8 of these for maintaining Symmetra PX cartridges off-line.