Will my APC Smart-UPS 1250 120V work with the new Power Chute USB?

[Anonymous user]

I have had this AP1250 APC Smart-UPS 1250 120V since the early 90's. I have replaced the batteries twice in all these years. It works perfectly but I'd like to 'manage' it. Can I use the new Power Chute personal program to manage it online? I'm running XP-SP2. I also have a USB adapter that will connect to the serial port on the rear of the unit. The only selections on the XP UPS management configuration screens are for Com 1,2,3,4 and no USB ports are listed. Will installing the new Power Chute Personal 2.0 allow me to use the USB port? This model is so old, it is not listed anywhere.

I have the original software (Power Chute 5.2.3) but it is not currently installed.

Thanks,

Mick

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

The main reason I recommended the upgrade, is like I stated before. I don't think the UPS is capable of communicating with a software package like PCBE. You're looking at using a UPS that was manufactured probably in 1995/1996 or earlier, with a software package that was released around 2000.

[Anonymous user]

Kevin,
I never asked about Business Edition software.......I'm pretty sure PowerChute came with this
UPS. Why would I want to upgrade? It's working great. 🙂

Mick

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

PCPE 2.0 will not support USB Smart-UPS.

You would have to use PowerChute Business Edition, but the likelihood that the UPS is supported by that software, due to age, is very minimal.

If you would like to continue using software with the UPS, it may be time to replace the UPS.

[Anonymous user]

bmwmick wrote:
I have had this AP1250 APC Smart-UPS 1250 120V since the early 90's. I have replaced the batteries twice in all these years. It works perfectly but I'd like to 'manage' it. Can I use the new Power Chute personal program to manage it online? I'm running XP-SP2. I also have a USB adapter that will connect to the serial port on the rear of the unit. The only selections on the XP UPS management configuration screens are for Com 1,2,3,4 and no USB ports are listed. Will installing the new Power Chute Personal 2.0 allow me to use the USB port? This model is so old, it is not listed anywhere.

I have the original software (Power Chute 5.2.3) but it is not currently installed.

Thanks,

Mick

Not all serial converter works. My Belkin works. The cheapo I got from eBay, no. Once you have it installed properly and it is in working orders, it will actually become one of the COM ports and be assigned a COM number, so if it's assigned 4, you choose COM4 in Windows UPS management and choose APC, Smart-UPS. When you hit apply, you know your UPS is talking to the computer when Status window becomes filled in.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

I'm not 100% positive on this, but the primary factor here is not whether or not the USB converter works, it's that PCBE probably won't see a 1st or 2nd generation Smart-UPS. They were never compatible, as PowerChute Plus was the software prior.

[Anonymous user]

KV,
You are correct, I can assign whatever COM port I want to the USB converter.
I'm pretty sure PowerChute should work if the USB converter works. Now, do I
have to use the 940-0024 cable too? I have ways of re-assigning the pins if I want.

I'm thinking, if the converter works on the UPS port, and XP recognizes the UPS
(in power tab) as being on Com-4, XP should have control of the UPS and I won't need
to mess with PowerChute at all.

Thanks,
Mick

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks!! I'm pretty sure this Smart 1250 was built in the late 80's 🙂
I'll update with any progress I make.

Mick