Smart-UPS RT 15000 RM XL - At leats one faulty battery exists

[Abbas_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 7/6/2015

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I have a  APC SMart-UPS RT 15000 RM XL installed in my Server room. In total I have 5 battery packs. Can you please advise me how to find out which of the battery is actually faulty.

I have been getting At least one faulty battery exists notifications from my UPS for the past few days. # of the packs seem to be having a problem. The Red Fault LED is ON on two of the battery packs and is blinking on One on the 3rd one. The pack whose fault LED is blinking is the first one connected to the UPS followed by 2 pack whose LEDs are just plain ON. The LEd on the last 2 packs are OFF.

Can you please direct me on how to troubleshoot this problem and find out which exact battery or battery pack is the faulty one.

Thanks,

Abbas

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 7/6/2015

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Hi,

How old are the batteries? 

Take a look at this PDF and refer to page 7 -> http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z8LVH/ASTE-6Z8LVH_R3_EN.pdf 

I'd start there. Depending on the battery age and specifics you find after reviewing that information, it may be time to repalce the batteries. If the batteries are all of the same age, they should all be replaced at the same time as it is not a good idea to mix new and old batteries as the older ones will "kill" the newer ones.

[Abbas_apc]

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

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Hi Angela,

All the battery packs are of the are about an year old and were installed at the same day. For some reasons now fault LED on the UPS panel is now OFF. Nothing has been done from my side! Last week red LEDs on 3 of the 7 battery packs were ON. One was flashing red while the other 2 were solid red. Today the one which was flashing red is OFF while the other 2 are still solid.

I do understand that mixing new and old batteries is not a good thing. Since the UPS is still under warranty will APC replace all the 7 battery pack while only few of the batteries are faulty? As replacing all the packs is going to cost me a lot.

Thanks,

Abbas

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 7/14/2015

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Hi Abbas,

Yes, I would think your local support would replace all of the defective batteries if that truly is the problem (versus them being stored in a warm environment or being used a lot due to power failures).

I am not sure too if this could be a communication issue between the packs but I tend to think not based on what I saw in the user's guide and how some of them are flashing the red LED and some are solid. 

What does the battery voltage read as on the system? Also, maybe it is worth checking the voltage on each pack? Regardless, it sounds like since you may need replacement parts, it'd be best to contact your local support office to see if they can start that process for you.

[Abbas_apc]

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

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Hi Angela,

Thanks fior you response. unfortunately the local support guys seem not to have a clue about this issue. They have been asking me to send the the RAW status value about 3 times now. I have sent them logs, screenshot and everything else. It is clear that they are just normal technicians who know how to install the UPS but not troubleshoot. They dont even know what the red LED on the battery pack means! Plus they charge a lot for them to fly here and do the troubleshooting (which of course they can't)

Well, I will try what you have advise and see what is the outcome.

Thanks,

Abbas

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 7/14/2015

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Hi Abbas,

I am sorry for the trouble. Based on your profile, I see your in our EMEA region - is that correct? I will reach out to their escalation team and see if they can't help you out and get you to someone knowledgeable to resolve the issue.