SmartUPS 1400 not detecting line power

[Anonymous user]

Hi. I have an old-school SmartUPS 1400. Last night, we lost power for a couple hours, and now the unit will not detect power. If I hold the power button, it will power up and perform its self-test, but it immediately goes to battery power. There is definitely power on the line, but the UPS doesn't seem to detect this.

This same unit has done this before, but it started to work again after I waved a dead chicken at it (i.e. randomly). Is there something I can do to ressurrect this unit? My assumption is that there is something borked on the circuitboard, but I'm no expert on UPS design.

Thanks in advance,
Richard

[Anonymous user]

Hi sarumont, have you tried to move the ups to a different outlet or location? Based on what you've described the unit believe there is something wrong with the input power at its current location. One quick trouble shooting step you could try would be to "braindead' the UPS. This would require you turn all of your equipment off, then turn the ups off. Once the UPS is off, unplug it from the wall and press and hold the off button again for at least 10 seconds. After this you can plug the ups back in and turn it back on to see if resolves the issue. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous user]

R2,

Thanks for responding. Unfortunately, that does nothing. I just tried on a different circuit (20a) which has no other load on it - same deal. I also tried your tip of holding the "off" button down to no effect, either.

[Anonymous user]

I should clarify - if I just press the power button quickly, it beeps, lights flash and then it turns off within about half a second. The fan starts to spin up at this point successfully. It's only when I hold the button for the self-test that it comes on (battery power, I guess) and fails to detect AC power.

Doesn't look like anything is burnt out on the inside - no busted capacitors that I can see, either.

Edit: 24VDC across the batteries, and they are only about a year old (in the unit the whole time).

Cheers,
Richard

Message was edited by: sarumont

[Anonymous user]

HAH! While testing to see if changing the sensitivity changed anything, I got a reaction when messing with the overload reset switch. It looks like my initial attempt to reset the overload switch failed - the switch is old and crufty, so it required some wiggling and a reset.

My batteries are charging now, and everything is running fine. Cheers!

[BillP · Accepted solution]

It is worth to check it the second time around. Good job!