SmartUPS 1400 battery lights flashing simultaneously

[Anonymous user]

I have a SmartUPS 1400 with all 5 battery charge lights flashing simutanelously. I didn't see any thing referring to this in the manual.
The 3 lights ( Overload, On battery, replace battery) next to them are flashing very dimly. The ups was run down over Hurricane Ike. It has been running properly with 6 devices plugged in. The load has 3 lights lit up (50%). Any input?

[BillP]

[take a look here|http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1497]

the quick version:

essentially this means that your runtime is probably getting low. the LEDs flashing are telling you that you runtime on battery is within 2 minutes of your low battery signaling time (which is a default of 2 minutes from the factory - so it'd be telling you that you only have 3-4 minutes of runtime). so i'd check your runtime remaining if you use software with this UPS (which would be Powerchute business edition.) the batteries last on average from 3-5 years depending on usage and environment. if you are within this time frame since your last battery replacement, you probably want to start thinking about getting some replacement batteries.

if your batteries are new, then you can do one of two things: 1.) do a manual runtime calibration as mentioned in the link above to calibrate the UPS so it knows you have new batteries with runtime or 2.) since it is an 1400 VA UPS, it must be an SU1400. any model beginning with SU can use what we call a calibration key which plugs into the serial port and will recalibrate the UPS's runtime within a couple seconds. i recommend this option but only AFTER you purchase new batteries. if your batteries are old and you get one of these then the runtime will not be accurate at all.

so, if you decide you need replacement batteries and you replace the batteries and the LEDs are still flashing, then you can either email or call APC tech support and simply request a calibration key which we can send to you. it will come with instructions on what to do and will talk all of 3 minutes to complete and you wont have to go through the hassle of the manual runtime calibration.

[Anonymous user]

So basically this is a warning you would receive before the replace Battery Light is on? I am not sure of the age of the batteries. I am assuming they are older. Thanks.

[BillP]

it can be. low runtime could be the cause of a very high load on the UPS as well in conjuction with a low battery signaling time you have adjusted too high.

you can check the serial # on the UPS to find the age of the UPS if they are the original batteries (if you think they are).

JS0112 is an example of the first portion of an APC serial number. the 00 means the UPS was manufactured in the year 2001 and the 12 indicates it was the 12th week of the year 2001.

[Anonymous user]

I have APC Smart UPS 1400 and Got an error when I plug in the UPS with power and click the Power button all the center lights start Blinking.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Please see Schneider Electric FAQ FA265136 "Why are all LED's flashing simultaneously on my Smart-UPS SU, SUA, or SURT model?"