UPS battery failed completely (melted) after 2.5 years... is this common?

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-28

I have automatic battery testing disabled, because if the battery is unable to sustain the load when it switches over to battery for a test, the load will drop.

The UPS was in service the entire time and power outage is rare and even when it's experienced, it's only a few minutes, so battery doesn't see deep discharge. Today, I unplugged my UPS so I can rearrange things around my work station. When I plugged it back in, it wouldn't power up at all.

Knowing that Smart-UPS does not power up if the battery voltage is below a threshold, I pulled the battery. It was deformed as if it got cooked in an oven and there was corrosion on both terminals and measured 3v (nominal is 12v).

The SU620 UPS had a new battery intalled in July 2007. So, it's only been a 2 1/2 years and the battery failed completely. Float voltage is around 13.9v, which I think is on the high side and I think this may have contributed to a premature failure. The battery is a Universal Battery UB12120 (12v 12Ah).

Battery says replace every 3-5 years, so I guess it was approaching end of life, but I was not expecting a complete failure.

What gives?

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-28

I have automatic battery testing disabled, because if the battery is unable to sustain the load when it switches over to battery for a test, the load will drop.

The UPS was in service the entire time and power outage is rare and even when it's experienced, it's only a few minutes, so battery doesn't see deep discharge. Today, I unplugged my UPS so I can rearrange things around my work station. When I plugged it back in, it wouldn't power up at all.

Knowing that Smart-UPS does not power up if the battery voltage is below a threshold, I pulled the battery. It was deformed as if it got cooked in an oven and there was corrosion on both terminals and measured 3v (nominal is 12v).

The SU620 UPS had a new battery intalled in July 2007. So, it's only been a 2 1/2 years and the battery failed completely. Float voltage is around 13.9v, which I think is on the high side and I think this may have contributed to a premature failure. The battery is a Universal Battery UB12120 (12v 12Ah).

Battery says replace every 3-5 years, so I guess it was approaching end of life, but I was not expecting a complete failure.

What gives?

See Answer In Context

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-28

I have automatic battery testing disabled, because if the battery is unable to sustain the load when it switches over to battery for a test, the load will drop.

The UPS was in service the entire time and power outage is rare and even when it's experienced, it's only a few minutes, so battery doesn't see deep discharge. Today, I unplugged my UPS so I can rearrange things around my work station. When I plugged it back in, it wouldn't power up at all.

Knowing that Smart-UPS does not power up if the battery voltage is below a threshold, I pulled the battery. It was deformed as if it got cooked in an oven and there was corrosion on both terminals and measured 3v (nominal is 12v).

The SU620 UPS had a new battery intalled in July 2007. So, it's only been a 2 1/2 years and the battery failed completely. Float voltage is around 13.9v, which I think is on the high side and I think this may have contributed to a premature failure. The battery is a Universal Battery UB12120 (12v 12Ah).

Battery says replace every 3-5 years, so I guess it was approaching end of life, but I was not expecting a complete failure.

What gives?