Smartups 1000I caused computer to hard shut down & need help to diagnose.

[Anonymous user]

Hi,
I have a Smartups SUA 1000I, (240v) purchased march 2004. I have a Mac and CRT Monitor, PC and CRT Monitor, 2 Synthesizers and a sound card hooked up, with one spare input. These in total are well within the recommended power draw. In fact only 3 LEDs are lit on the Load side. The batteries were changed almost 3 years ago.

Just to note: Ive never used Powerchute because:
- I run a Mac and a PC off my UPS and the PC isnt on for long periods of time.
- Generally my rule is ... If either machine sits idle for more than 2hours I turn it/them off OR if Im out of earshot range of ups alarm for more than 10 mins I'll turn computer/s off.

So, yesterday I was on PC and suddenly everything just stopped dead doing a hard shut down. No warning beeps, nothing from UPS. I cant say for sure how many LEDS were lit on the right side prior but looked down after dropping its load and Online was lit and one green LED on right hand side. Knowing something weird was up I didnt wait around. I unplugged everything in the following order which I have always done.

I turned off UPs pushing its button > switched off power at the wall > unplugged battery connector. UPS was barely even warm around vents. Ambient temp around 22Degr Cent. I didnt know usual reset buttons position (how far out it protruded) so just pushed it and it just came out to the same as it was before I pushed it. (just slightly under 1/4 inch)

I Went to reseat Batt Connector and my husband said he saw all lights at the front flash on and off very quickly, plus there was an extremely fast beeping. Quickly unplugged the Batt Conn again. Waited 2 minutes and tried it again. This time there was a red light on. No alarm. Power was not switched on at wall yet nor had I pushed the power on button.

Husband tested batteries with a fairly new multimeter (about 6 months old) and they were 13.2volts each, so I take it that is normal???.

We tried powering up again and then we got the replace battery/battery disconnected light, flashing with the beeps every few seconds. Not sure exactly how long between beeps or how long it flashed for but it was between 1 or 2 mins. Decided to unplug everything again and when we unplugged the Batt Conn all the lights on the front did the same as B4 plus the very fast alarm.

2 main QUESTIONS are ....Could it be that the Batt Conn plug at the back has become worn and if so is it fixable? and have I been wrong in disconnecting this part of the UPS as an extra measure against premature battery wear.? I say this becasue at certain times, like, if the power is being unstable after a large powercut, we've tended to fully close down the UPS including pulling the Batt Conn .... especially if theres power issues at night, or we're going out and the weather looks stormy. We live rurally and so get more power issues.

Any help much appreciated
Musical

[Anonymous user]

Ok so my husband just tried the light and the front battery lit up the little bulb and the back one there was nothing.

So should I try and see if it will charge the battery?

[Anonymous user]

Thanks Wwallender for your response.

Sorry I need a bit more of an explanation. I described 2 scenarios in respect to beeps and lights, neither of which, as I understand it, are normal because....

1/ The troubleshooter in the manual says "All leds are lit and the UPS emits a Constant Beeping - Problem and possible cause : Internal UPS fault - Do not attempt to use the UPS. Turn the UPS off and have it serviced immediately" and
2/ Going by the ( APC) excerpt below, Id also have to conclude something isnt normal here because I got no warnings whatsoever about a low battery, and an UPS shouldnt just dump its load.

QUOTE:
How do I troubleshoot the Replace Battery LED on a Smart-UPS?
Published 09/03/2008 10:59 PM | Updated 01/01/2010 04:58 PM | Answer ID 9383
The replace battery light on my Smart-UPS is on, what do I do?
The Replace Battery LED is designed to illuminate one to two months before the battery actually has to be replaced.
UNQUOTE

No I dont know how to put a 12v load on, or understand about the amperage side to it. Could you please explain about that. My husband said he'll try the light thing tonight, but hes not sure either about the amperage.

Also what do you mean by the capacitors discharging?

I know somethings wrong but I'd like to diagnose exactly what it is if possible so I know if its fixable.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Hi,
I have a Smartups SUA 1000I, (240v) purchased march 2004. I have a Mac and CRT Monitor, PC and CRT Monitor, 2 Synthesizers and a sound card hooked up, with one spare input. These in total are well within the recommended power draw. In fact only 3 LEDs are lit on the Load side. The batteries were changed almost 3 years ago.

Just to note: Ive never used Powerchute because:
- I run a Mac and a PC off my UPS and the PC isnt on for long periods of time.
- Generally my rule is ... If either machine sits idle for more than 2hours I turn it/them off OR if Im out of earshot range of ups alarm for more than 10 mins I'll turn computer/s off.

So, yesterday I was on PC and suddenly everything just stopped dead doing a hard shut down. No warning beeps, nothing from UPS. I cant say for sure how many LEDS were lit on the right side prior but looked down after dropping its load and Online was lit and one green LED on right hand side. Knowing something weird was up I didnt wait around. I unplugged everything in the following order which I have always done.

I turned off UPs pushing its button > switched off power at the wall > unplugged battery connector. UPS was barely even warm around vents. Ambient temp around 22Degr Cent. I didnt know usual reset buttons position (how far out it protruded) so just pushed it and it just came out to the same as it was before I pushed it. (just slightly under 1/4 inch)

I Went to reseat Batt Connector and my husband said he saw all lights at the front flash on and off very quickly, plus there was an extremely fast beeping. Quickly unplugged the Batt Conn again. Waited 2 minutes and tried it again. This time there was a red light on. No alarm. Power was not switched on at wall yet nor had I pushed the power on button.

Husband tested batteries with a fairly new multimeter (about 6 months old) and they were 13.2volts each, so I take it that is normal???.

We tried powering up again and then we got the replace battery/battery disconnected light, flashing with the beeps every few seconds. Not sure exactly how long between beeps or how long it flashed for but it was between 1 or 2 mins. Decided to unplug everything again and when we unplugged the Batt Conn all the lights on the front did the same as B4 plus the very fast alarm.

2 main QUESTIONS are ....Could it be that the Batt Conn plug at the back has become worn and if so is it fixable? and have I been wrong in disconnecting this part of the UPS as an extra measure against premature battery wear.? I say this becasue at certain times, like, if the power is being unstable after a large powercut, we've tended to fully close down the UPS including pulling the Batt Conn .... especially if theres power issues at night, or we're going out and the weather looks stormy. We live rurally and so get more power issues.

Any help much appreciated
Musical