Selftest failed - Smart UPS 5000 SUA5000RMI5U

[Anonymous user]

One of our UPS's failed its scheduled selftest the other day, which was within the expected life expectancy of the batteries so we thought nothing of it and just replaced the batteries (RBC55) with a spare set we had on shelf for a while.

The new set of batteries didn't pass a selftest either so we figured they'd be on shelf too long (is that even possible?) and ordered a new set.

New set in place, waited for 100% charge (did seem to get there faster than the earlier spare set) and initiated a selftest - which failed yet again.

The displayed run time is within expectation, so other than the message that a failed battery exists, the device seems to be running fine.

Is there anything we can do at this point?

Logs:

14.05.2017     09:04:28     UPS: Failed a self-test.
14.05.2017     09:04:14     UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.
14.05.2017     09:04:11     UPS: A faulty battery no longer exists.
14.05.2017     09:04:11     UPS: Started a self-test.
10.05.2017     08:51:30     UPS: Failed a self-test.
10.05.2017     08:51:16     UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.
10.05.2017     08:51:14     UPS: Started a self-test.
10.05.2017     08:51:12     UPS: A faulty battery no longer exists.
05.05.2017     13:05:28     UPS: Failed a self-test.
05.05.2017     13:05:14     UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.
05.05.2017     13:05:12     UPS: Started a self-test.
05.05.2017     13:05:11     UPS: A faulty battery no longer exists.
05.05.2017     13:00:45     UPS: The battery is now installed.
05.05.2017     12:58:42     UPS: The battery is not installed properly.
03.05.2017     10:27:18     UPS: Failed a self-test.
03.05.2017     10:27:04     UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.
03.05.2017     10:27:02     UPS: Started a self-test.
03.05.2017     10:27:01     UPS: A faulty battery no longer exists.
01.05.2017     15:50:13     UPS: Failed a self-test.
01.05.2017     15:49:58     UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.
01.05.2017     15:49:56     UPS: Started a self-test.
01.05.2017     15:49:56     UPS: A faulty battery no longer exists.
01.05.2017     13:44:38     UPS: Failed a self-test.
01.05.2017     13:44:18     UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.
01.05.2017     13:44:16     UPS: A faulty battery no longer exists.
30.04.2017     09:05:44     UPS: Failed a self-test.
30.04.2017     09:05:30     UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.
30.04.2017     09:05:22     UPS: Started a self-test.
16.04.2017     09:06:48     UPS: Passed a self-test.

[MarkC_apc]

If you have not tried "brain dead" restart - do a search on the forum and learn about this procedure to reset the "brain".  If it works to reset the battery fault, I'd then recommend then doing a battery recalibration procedure to make the run life more accurate.

[Anonymous user]

I feared that had to be the next step.
It's going to fun planning that one; there's some important network equipment behind this UPS of which 'never' is a convenient time to power down.

[MarkC_apc]

I'll bet one of the knowledgeable APC techs can help with some ideas to "plan" rather than "react" to the eventual.  The only issue is $$$'s, but it's sort of pay me now or......

Good luck

[BillP · Accepted solution]

My personal suggestion would be to make sure you have left the new batteries (either set you purchased) in the UPS for at least 8-10 hours or overnight to charge (even if it says 100% sooner than that) and then run the self test and see if there is still an issue. I'd do this before you consider braindeading the UPS which I know is a huge inconvenience.

I don't know the ins and outs of how a battery works and its chemical make up but I know that the voltage can look good and the charge can be 100% but then you put a load on it and it can then ultimately be drained if it truly was not fully charged to start with. With what I suggested, it should help avoid giving you any false failed self tests once we know the batteries have charged and haven't had a load applied to them to drain them - which is what happens during a self test. The UPS is applying a load to the battery and measuring the voltage drop while comparing it to a stored table of expected values. If it is outside of that range for some reason, a replace battery alert will be flagged.