Smart-UPS RT 3000 XL - Self-Test Failed - Battery Disconnected

[itservices_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/15/2015

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Got a beeping from one of our two 3000 XLs s/n QS123013600

Looping errors;

04/15/2015	11:42:25	UPS: A battery charger fault no longer exists.
04/15/2015	11:42:24	UPS: A battery charger fault exists.
04/15/2015	11:36:09	UPS: A battery charger fault no longer exists.

and also doing this

04/15/2015	00:25:35	UPS: The battery is not installed properly.
04/15/2015	00:25:17	UPS: The battery is now installed.

Looks like this is when it started

04/02/2015	21:58:23	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
04/02/2015	21:46:55	UPS: Self-Test Failed
04/02/2015	21:46:42	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
04/02/2015	21:46:42	UPS: At least one faulty battery exists.

Never really ran into problems with UPSs before. Is this just a bad battery? Do I need to purchase a new one, or contact APC for a replacement?

[Terry_Kennedy_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/16/2015

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I think the first thing to do would be to check the warranty status of the UPS. I believe US is 2 years and (at least some) international is 3 years. With a date code in 2012, it would depend on how long the unit spent in the distribution chain before you purchased it. I'd suggest contacting APC support to determine the warranty status. Of course, if comes back as out-of-warranty you'll want to find the purchase paperwork to see if it has been 2 (or 3) years since the actual purchase, and provide that info to APC support.

On an out-of-warranty UPS, you can always try replacing the batteries. But you run the risk that the problem is not [entirely] in the batteries, and you end up with non-returnable batteries and a UPS that still doesn't work. In my experience (as an end user), you will normally get one replacement that works, but after that the odds go down. With a battery lifetime of 2-3 years (depending on conditions) that's 4 to 6 years total after the first battery replacement.

At that time it is worth considering a replacement UPS, either via APC's Trade-UPS program or by a regular purchase of a new unit. That is also a good time to evaluate your load - have more systems been added, is the runtime sufficient, etc. and decide to get a larger (or perhaps smaller) unit that will fit your needs better.

[itservices_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/16/2015

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Thank you appreciate the feedback.

New to supporting these and sounds like a pretty good baseline to start with.

Looks like we are out of warrenty by 6 months however.