Wedged Batteries in Smart UPS 2200

[Anonymous user]

I submitted my frustrations to APC support, but the chassis design on the Smart 2200 series UPSs make for a sweaty, frustrating, and possibly bloody knuckle experience. I felt like I had just gotten out of a 5 round fight for the belt once I finally got the 2 bulging, heavy batteries dislodged from the front of the chassis. It seams that what happens to batteries as they die wasn't taken into consideration when engineering these behemoths. When the batteries had swollen, they were no longer able to slide out with ease. I had to remove side panels, and use a broom stick for extra leverage to push the batteries from the back, while a colleague pulled from the front. Time to put these hands in some ice and lick my wounds.

So, here's my question:
Is there a better APC UPS that has better design logic and possibly better functionality for network closets? I wouldn't mind a UPS that I could keep powered while swapping batteries to keep my network up wile wrestling with batteries.

You guys are the pros, thanks for your input.

[BillP]

we have several "Smart UPS 2200" UPSs. do you know the exact model?

in our newer SMT/SMX series, i believe they have better battery intelligence and temperature 'aware' or 'compensating' charging circuits to combat against this but there is always a slight risk in my opinion due to environment, the individual battery characteristics, etc.

[Anonymous user]

The built in intelligence is a nice idea. Maybe a cheap idea would be to have parts of the frame that could be removed in the event that a battery swells. A Riveted frame looks nice, but no one wants to drill them out to get their batteries. "Ain't nobody got time for that" 🙂

[BillP · Accepted solution]

i understand..lol. yes, that does make a nice meme.

well at least we've come farther now - it is less and less likely but if it does occur, i agree something to think about is the frame and how to easily remove the batteries or make it more modular.