SMART-UPS RT 8000 - How to find out which battery is bad.

[BillP]

We have a SMART-UPS RT 8000 (SURT8000RMXLT6U) that is showing a bad battery. Is there a way to find out exactly which module needs to be replaced ?

I cannot find anythin from the web interface.

Thanks.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Do you have external battery packs? This UPS itself contains (2) RBC44 batteries and each RBC44 comes with two modules/strings. If the UPS reports a replace battery alarm, then you'd need to replace (2) RBC44. If you have external battery packs, or want to just replace the specific string, we would not really support opening the modules to identify open cells, etc though I think people with in depth battery knowledge sometimes do that with the UPSs and proceed at their own risk. The UPS itself cannot detect this type of failure though and would just be able to tell you that the batteries need to be replaced. Assuming the batteries are older though, the recommendation is to replace all of them since they are the same age. Replacing some older with some newer would damage the newer batteries and is not recommended, though I understand it may be realistic due to cost sometimes.

Long story short, assuming this UPS/batteries, no matter how many are anywhere from 2-5 years and it makes sense that they are now in need of replacing (versus being a brand new install where batteries should not be failing), you'd want to replace all batteries in the system since they are all used equally and look like one giant DC battery bus to the UPS.

I hope that helps.

[MichalP]

I have similar question: 
I bought (4 packs) new battery modules and replaced them (I have an APC SURT 8000 RM XLI + 1 External Battery Pack), and despite the replacement, I still have errors in the logs and a critical 'discharged battery' alarm in the web interface. How can I identify which battery module is faulty? I keep getting two messages in the logs: 
UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.

[Teken]

You’ll need to provide a lot more information such as logs, history, and the systems environment.

Provide the following logs for review via Power Chute / NMC: Event, Data, UPS, Diagnostic.

There is no mention of completing any of the required action items during a RBC replacement.

The RBC must be allowed to fully charge before you attempt to complete these action items! ☝️

As such I’ll assume they are still outstanding so complete them now and report back the results with all logs called out up above.

Date: The battery installation date must be entered during a RBC replacement. Doing so resets internal counters and adjusts charging tables if applicable.

This can be done via Power Chute / NMC / CLI.

Self Test: Manually initiate a self test and let pass via the following methods: Panel, NMC, Power Chute.

Allow the RBC to return to 100% SOC before the next action item. If the self test fails report this outcome and stop and provide the active fault / error codes.

Battery Calibration: Manually initiate a battery calibration with a minimum of 30% attached load or higher. Once complete the system will reflect the operational runtime more accurately and learn the RBC state of health.

Allow the RBC to fully recharge to 100% SOC.

NOTE: Validate the system has been properly configured to know the number of external battery packs are present as outlined in the manual:

https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_enDocType=User+guide&p_File_Name=SU_IOM_990_2689J_EN...

RBC: Using a calibrated DMM measure the float voltage for all individual RBC and document. Disconnect all of them and measure their initial charged voltage and document.

Leave disconnected for 72 hours and measure / document what the voltage is for the RBC pack.

Report back the values for all measurements here for review. 

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[MichalP]

The battery replacement instructions are concise and for the SURT8K model, they are limited to disconnecting the old modules and inserting the new ones, initiating a self-test in the NMC, and manually setting the replacement date in the NMC (And of course I did that). I have 1 External Battery Pack. I am attaching a few screenshots from the NMC; maybe they will help.

[Teken]

Are the four RBC APC originals, aftermarket, rebuild?!? Complete the measurements as outlined up above and report back the values here.

First measurements will be taken at the RBC connector(s) from the system to verify DC output voltage for each cartridge.

Proceed to connect one RBC back to the system and measure DC charging / float voltage for all packs and report back the values for each.

Complete the process by disconnecting all RBC. Measure the initial surface charge of each pack and record. Come back in 72 hours and report back the voltage for each pack.

The expectation is all individual packs will drop 0.1 - 0.3 VDC after the initial surface charge has dropped. If you see any RBC pack drop 1-3 VDC this indicates a potential fault.

Lastly, let’s just assume the RBC are all fine and healthy and using genuine CSB HR cells.

You can complete the battery calibration so the system can learn RBC SOC / Health. If there is an option to manually initiate a battery calibration via Power Chute / NMC do so.

If there is no option than you will need to perform a Lights Out / Grid Down test. Ensure there is 30% or greater load on the system and simply disconnect AC Mains from the system.

Allow the system to drain until it automatically shutdowns. If the system is connected to a computer running Power Chute disconnect this communication cable.

Obviously this should be completed during a maintenance window. Replace the loads with a heater that has a variable fan / heat setting to allow you to meet the minimum 30% or greater load.

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