SmartUPS 1500 Issues

[gjt63]

Hello. Can you please offer some suggestions for this?  I recently replaced my battery in my DLA1500 unit, and this is what I've observed:

* The new battery I ordered was installed and charged for 24 hours to a full level.

* After that period, I ran a self-test of the battery.  It passed, but the battery level dropped from full to just one bar.

* I then left the UPS recharge for another 24 hours to a full level.  However, all the battery level lights were now blinking.  

* I then tried doing a run time calibration. It immediately failed and the battery level again dropped to one bar.

* Again, I left the UPS recharge for another 24 hours to a full level, and all the battery level lights were still blinking. 

* I then tried performing a hard reset.  Powered off the UPS, unplugged the power cord, disconnected the battery, unplugged all the devices connected to the unit, pressed and held the off button for 10 seconds.

* I then reinstalled the new battery, plugged in all the devices to the UPS, plugged in the power cord and powered on the unit.

* The unit still had a full charge, and all the battery level lights were still blinking.  I tried another self-test, and it failed and the battery level dropped to one bar.

* I had the place I purchased the battery send me a replacement, thinking it was bad, but the replacement is having the same issues.

* Talking to our MIS Manger at work, we discovered that a similar SmartUPS 1500 unit, that also recently had the battery replaced, is showing the same issues I've described above.

[Teken]

The correct steps when a RBC is replaced are listed below:

Install Date: The RBC installation date must updated via the following where available: LCD, NMC, Power Chute. As doing so resets internal counters and adjust charging tables where applicable.

Self Test: Manually initiate a self test allow it to pass and RBC to return to 100% SOC (State of Charge).

Calibration: Manually initiate a battery calibration with a minimum of 30% attached load or higher. Once the process has completed allow the RBC to recharge back to 100% SOC.

NOTE: The following assumes the RBC / cells are quality (HR) High Rate cells and offer the same Amp Hour (AH) rating as the original. The minimum charging time is 24 hours or longer depending upon the SOC of the RBC.

Meaning, it can be up to 72 hours or longer especially if there are extended battery packs connected.

Provide all the relevant logs in their entirety minus any (PI) information: Event, Data, UPS, Diagnostics.

Provide a photo of the RBC (Replacement Battery Cartridge) clearly showing the cells specifications and maker.

Questions Ask . . . 👍

[gjt63 · Accepted solution]

This reset procedure did not work.  What did work, was to unplug the fully charged unit with a load applied, and let it run until it powers off.  After the power was restored and the battery recharged, the battery lights were no longer are blinking, and in the PowerChute app, it now shows a 52 minute run time.

[Teken]

All you did was complete a out of band battery calibration outside of the LCD, NMC, Power Chute.

If you did not update the battery installation date as outlined up above expect problems in the future. 

[gjt63]

Updating the install date in PowerChute was the first thing I did before all the issues I described originally began.  I'm just glad the issue is resolved.  I've replaced the battery many times in this old unit  and typically all I did was to update the install date in PowerChute, but never experienced any other issues like this time.  If what I did helps someone else, having similar issues, then it was worth all the time and trouble.