Smart-UPS 600 (2G, from 1994) Feature Programming

[Anonymous user]

Another oldie but a goodie...discovered brand new in box, in fact! A set of new batteries and some diddling around got it running nicely again. (Model # AP600, S/N: S94062924341)

The user's manual for this unit indicates that various settings can be adjusted in software such as Powerchute Plus or software for DOS known as Power Doctor. In particular, I'd like to turn off the beeper at all times, and the manual clearly indicates that this can be done via software.

PowerChute Plus can communicate with the UPS and display some statistical information (load percentage, line voltage, etc.) , but shows all such settings as being unavailable. Communicating directly via UPSlink in a terminal emulator and trying to set the beeper to its disabled state results in a "NO" response. The same is true of other parameters that are claimed to be adjustable in the unit's manual.

Is there perhaps an earlier revision of UPSlink with different commands, or might I be able to secure an older version of PowerChute Plus (maybe even Power Doctor for DOS, if it can be found) software to communicate with this unit? (It seems like a crime to descend upon it with a soldering iron just to turn the beeper off, so I hope it doesn't come to that.)

I did not receive any software or communication cable with the unit, and it's unclear if such was in the box originally. I'm inclined to think it was not. Communications were performed with a 940-0024C cable.

(Larger version here. - 360 KB)

I would be greatly appreciative for any help at all.

[Anonymous user]

*bump* Anyone out there with some ideas?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

A bit late probably, but in order to be able to modify the settings of a 2nd gen. APC Smart UPS, you need to flip all 4 of the DIP switches to the ON position at the back of the unit. This allows programming mode. You need to set the values modified by these switches in software in order to compensate against the fact that they have to be in the on position to program the unit (eg. output voltage, audible alarm operation, sensitivity...etc). Important: software settings are kept only as long as these switches are left in the on position. A standard 940-0024C cable can be used for communications. These units use an earlier version of the UPSLink protocol, so some commands which are available on 3G models will not work here, and some functions have to be triggered differently in comparison to 3G units (eg. turn on command while unit is offline (due to no RS232 communication is possible when 2nd gen. units are offline), ups capability string and query of some register values are not supported...adjustment of battery constant is also different, see procedure here: http://forums.apc.com/spaces/5/smart-ups-symmetra-lx-rm/forums/general/11779/second-gen-smart-ups-pr...)

Second generation models were made from 1993-1997, but there are some older (first generation) models made 1990-1992 which support even less commands of UPSLink protocol. You can determine UPSLink version from the response to the capital V command (second character, eg. response 6TI means a Smart UPS 600 with UPSLink version T, which is the newest of the second generation models AFAIK. The earliest made unit I've seen so far supporting the V command (and still functioning 😄 ) is a 1st gen. Smart UPS 400 made in 1991 with UPSLink version C)