Smart-UPS X 1000 won't complete a runtime calibration

[BillP]

This question was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 10/16/2016

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Hi,

My Smart-UPS X 1000 won't complete a runtime calibration.  I can start the test but the test aborts with an "output load changed" error message.  I am pretty sure the output load did not change because the system was completely quiescent and running the UPS at about 42.8% "output watts" and 35.6% "output VA" load.  Looking at the data logging, there is no change in the load on the UPS.

Any idea why the test would abort like this every time I initiate it?

Thanks much!

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Shanon on APC forums on 10/17/2016

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Hello Joe,

I am sorry that you are having issues with your UPS. 

First, I just wanted to ask why you are running a runtime calibration, have you recently replaced the battery? We usually do not recommend them, since they cause a deep discharge of the battery, which can unnecessarily shorten battery lifespan. 

That being said, is there something that shuts down when it goes on battery? Maybe networking equipment or something like that?

Also, the load on the data logs is a snapshot of the load, it does not record lowest or highest, so it does not indicate any changes over that polling period.  

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 10/17/2016

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Hi Shannon and thanks for the response.  Why did I want to run the test?  I ran the test because I got the following series of event log entries detailed in the table that I have attached.  The UPS was manufactured 9-12-2015 and I have had it less than that so I am concerned that the OEM supplied battery is starting to let go for whatever reason.

Yes, although I do have a QNAP NAS that was originally configured to begin shutdown when the UPS was on battery for two minutes, I made sure that the NAS was configured to run indefinitely so that the load would not be perturbated during a runtime calibration.  The only other items on the UPS is the computer, a monitor (which was configured to remain on all the time) and a network switch.

Regarding the messages below, the "battery too low" message was a minimum of 1/2 hour after the self-test ran so I am pretty sure the battery was back up to near 100%.

Do you think the battery is flaky?

Thanks much!

10/15/2016	13:04:52	Device	UPS: A discharged battery condition no longer exists.
10/15/2016	13:04:50	Device	UPS: The battery power is too low to support the load; if power fails, the UPS will be shut down immediately.
10/15/2016	12:30:28	Device	UPS: Self-Test passed.
10/15/2016	12:30:18	Device	UPS: Self-Test started by automatic timer.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Shanon on APC forums on 10/18/2016

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Hello Joe,

These logs seem a bit odd, in the fact that they seem to be missing indications of it going on and off battery. How long was it actually on battery?

What is the load percentage? Do you have any external batteries? If I have this info, I can tell you what the battery life should be about. 

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 10/18/2016

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Hello again Shanon and thanks for the reply.  When I initiated the calibration runtime test, it remained on battery for about five minutes before it terminated due to a change in load.  The load percentage is 42% measured as "Output Watts" and about 35% measured as "Output VA" by the "Status" window of the NMC2 webpage.  There are no external batteries connected.

Thanks in advance!  Also a shout out to Angela for helping out many of us in the past!

Joe

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Shanon on APC forums on 10/18/2016

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Hello Joe,

With your load of approximately, 340W, you should have a runtime of about 30 minutes, according to the runtime graph on our website.

That event log does seem a bit unsettling. The message about low battery should only happen when on battery. So there might be an issue with the battery. Do you know when it was installed? When batteries sit for 6+ months, they can dry up and have reduced lifespan and runtime.

[voidstar_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/18/2016

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The NMC produces that particular message when not on battery if the estimated runtime is below the low battery duration. This could mean (1) the low battery duration is near 30 minutes rather than the usual 2 minutes (2) battery is bad and self-test is enough to drop runtime below the low battery duration or (3) runtime estimate is inaccurate and needs calibration.

If the UPS is aborting runtime cal due to load fluctuation, I'd try using light bulbs or a hair drier instead of a computer load.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 10/18/2016

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Hi Shanon,

The UPS was purchased from Amazon.com in March of this year and put into service on or about March 15th.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 10/18/2016

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I don't own any more incandescent bulbs but I'll see if I can pry my wife's hair dryer away from her and see how that works.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Shanon on APC forums on 10/19/2016

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Yes, voidstar is completely correct here. I was going to ask this next anyways, but what is your low battery time set to? What is your runtime at 100%?

If the load increases a little, and your runtime becomes within 2 minutes of your low battery setting, then you will get that message. When the load decreases, the runtime goes back up and the battery discharged state clears. 

The low battery setting should be set to the time that your server takes to shutdown, plus 2 minutes. So, if your server takes 5 minutes to shut down, the low batt signal should be at 7 minutes. Does that make sense?

Thanks, 
Shanon

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 10/19/2016

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Hi Shanon, Voidstar:

Yes it all makes sense.  My NAS takes two minutes to completely shut down but is normally configured to shut down two minutes after alerted by the UPS.

Currently, my Low Battery Duration is set to ten (10) minutes.  The "basic low battery duration" is set to 150 seconds.  My runtime at 100% but still on commercial A/C power is 34 minutes at my current load.

Hope this helps!

Joe

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Shanon on APC forums on 10/20/2016

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If you low battery is set to 10 minutes, that message should not appear until the runtime is 12 minutes. Would you mind posting a screenshot of the shutdown settings in the NMC?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Joe on APC forums on 10/20/2016

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Hi Shanon,

Please find the screenshot your requested.