SMART UPS RT 5000 will not power - flashing lights and clicks

[audiofx_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/15/2015

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I have a SMART UPS RT 5000 (SURTD5000XLT) that has been on the shelf for awhile (maybe a year or so) and I'm trying to put it back into service.  Previously, it was working fine with no issues.

I plug the UPS into the outlet and hold the On button.  The lights on the front will flash once quickly and then turn off.  The fan will power on and continue to spin.  I will hear 3 clicks and then nothing.  The unit will not power on and the lights stay off.   The ethernet port on the back will display lights.

I have tried different resets, such as holding down the Off button etc... but the device will not power on.

I'm assuming the batteries are dead since it has not been in service but I do not want to buy new batteries if the device is faulty.  I'm assuming the reset I'm trying will not work with dead batteries since I'm holding the Off button while the unit is unplugged.

Do you think this could be fixed with fresh batteries (RBC44 I believe), or are there any other troubleshooting/testing I can perform?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 6/16/2015

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Do you see any LEDs on the front panel, like the fault LED and the battery bar graph on the right hand side? They would illuminate in a pattern if we have a fault condition.

I would measure the voltage on the batteries at least and see what you get but it will be hard to tell without known good batteries. I understand though you don't want to buy them if the UPS has a problem too but we won't be able to tell without them if the unit can start.

I would at least confirm the DC voltage present on the batteries and they are dead, then proceed with the new batteries. Maybe look into a return policy if the UPS won't start with the new good batteries and maybe you should return them or get some credit back if they can't be used.

[audiofx_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/16/2015

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All the LEDs flash once and then immediately turn off.  None stay lit.  I would assume the device would at least power on with dead batteries but this may not be the case.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 6/16/2015

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Hi Bob,

Ok on the LEDs. And unfortunately, SURT, SRT online UPSs require good batteries to start. Dead batteries are usually the number one cause of issues and new ones fix most issues. Though, as I said in general, we won't know much more about the actual UPS state until we get some good batteries in there.

[audiofx_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 7/14/2015

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We installed replacement batteries and the UPS powered on.  Thanks for your help!