Smart-UPS 5000: "The battery power is too low to continue to support the load" even changed batteries

[kelvinchanswann]

Hi there, after changing the batteries in late last year, the UPS still got the error of "The battery power is too low to continue to support the load". Not sure what to do. Appreciate with anyone can help. Thanks. 

[Teken]

First thing I would do is check the production date of the battery cartridge. If they were made several years before your purchase and install - begin a RMA warranty on them. In the interim visually inspect all cells in the cartridge to be properly and securely connected. Confirm no cells are swelling or bulging. Pull each cell apart and measure their resting voltage. This would be a good time load test each cell to see how they perform and if any cell fails you know there was a bad cell in the pack.

If still under warranty request a RMA. If not under warranty simply replace the bad cell(s).

[dpierce4776]

To branch off of what @Teken said if you have an NMC card there is a setting under Configuration > Shutdown that sets the amount of runtime you want the UPS to start shutting down out. I believe the default is 10 minutes. This is to protect the batteries though extended runtime and power outages. As completely draining the batteries can result in shorter battery life.

Anyways check the setting to see where it is set. If it is too high or higher than the runtime the UPS tells you it can do under your current load you will get that message. 

[kelvinchanswann]

Thanks Teken. It works after recalibrated the batteries. I didn't recognised it as I didn't need to recalibrated the batteries on the other same model UPS. Anyway, thanks for your input. 

[dpierce4776]

@kelvinchanswann Its a good idea to re-calibrate after every battery swap and they are charged to 100%. The UPS will do self test over time and though that calibrate itself to give you and approximate run time at the current load. 

Which is more than likely why your device continued to give the alert even after you changed the batteries. By re-calibrating the batteries you get a more accurate reading than the self test does. Calibration takes runs on battery until it reaches 20% then recharges the battery back up. This gives you a better understanding of how your batteries are going to handle than a 15 second draw.