1000XL Smart UPS + 24VXL BatteryPack

[BillP]

Hi everyone,

I am new here, but have been using APC products for a long time, and have a question about my new setup.
I now own a 1000XL smart UPS (1000v-800watts), and a 24VXL battery Pack.

For these 2 to work together and extend my battery run time, do I need to install the software that came with it?

Or, by just connecting the power cord, from the battery pack to the 1000XL UPS, will they work together without installing any software?

Sorry if this is in the wrong discussion thread, I wasn't sure where to put it!

Thanks for your time!

Message was edited by: TVC15

[Erasmus_apc]

APC recommends that you install the software that came with the UPS so that you can easily "tell" the EEPROM (logic) of the unit that there is an externally connected batt. pack. This is so that the unit will be able to make accurate runtime estimations, alarm properly based on what it thinks is the remaining runtime, etc. Long story short, to ensure you get the most functionality out of your setup.

However, you can also add a battery pack without using our PowerChute software. If you have a network management card in the UPS you can also change the number of battery packs in the NMC interface. Additionally, you can use the included serial cable to tell the EEPROM of the unit that a battery pack has been added. Please reference the following documentation:

h1. Knowledge Base #63

Smart-UPS XL models are not designed with communication modules to the external battery packs. It is important to follow these instructions. The number of
batteries effects the runtime calculations which a Smart-UPS performs when it
is running on battery power.

There are three ways program the Smart-UPS XL to recognize the appropriate
number of external batteries.

1. Using Hyperterminal or Terminal Program to change the number of
external battery packs

Hyperterminal:
HyperTerminal is used for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows 2003

To adjust the number of battery packs via a Hyperterminal session:
1. First, EXIT out of the PowerChute plus Server. In the case of Windows NT,
the UPS service must be stopped.
2. From the Desktop, go to: Start |Programs | Accessories | HyperTerminal.
Double-click on the HyperTerminal icon.
3. You will next be asked to choose a name and select an icon. Give it any
name and then click OK. If a message appears which reads "...must install a
modem," disregard it and continue.
4. The port settings are 2400 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, flow
control is Xon/Xoff.
5. Click on Advanced and ensure the box labeled FIFO buffer is NOT checked.
6. Click OK twice.

**Please note that if you have the scroll lock on, Hyper-Terminal may not communicate properly with an APC UPS or
accessory.

Once the terminal/hyperterminal window is open, follow these steps:
a. Type "Shift-Y"which should produce an 'SM'
b. Type ">" To see the number of external packs. (A new unit will display
'000.')
c. Type "+" Adds a battery pack
d. Type ">" To see the change in number of external battery packs
e. Type "-" Subtracts a battery pack
f. Type ">" To see the change in number of external battery packs

Terminal:
Terminal is used for Netware OS's.

To adjust the number of battery packs via a Terminal session:
1. Unload the PowerChute plus NLM (pwrchute.nlm)
2. Type the appropiate statement depending on which com port the UPS serial
cable is attached to:
COM1: LOAD TERMINAL BOARD=0 PORT=0
COM2: LOAD TERMINAL BOARD=1 PORT=0

Once the terminal/hyperterminal window is open, follow these steps:
a. Type "Shift-Y"which should produce an 'SM'
b. Type ">" To see the number of external packs. (A new unit will display
'000.')
c. Type "+" Adds a battery pack
d. Type ">" To see the change in number of external battery packs
e. Type "-" Subtracts a battery pack
f. Type ">" To see the change in number of external battery packs

*Note: A SU48RMXLBP is a large capacity battery. It is equivalent to
two standard external batteries; therefore, for each SU48RMXLBP input 2 (two)
batteries.

**Note: The number of battery packs which are entered in the command
line can be no greater than 10.

2. Use PowerChute plus version 5.x for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows
NT.
PowerChute plus 5.x for Windows NT is compatible with NT 3.5.1 SP5, NT 4.0
Workstation (at least SP1), or NT 4.0 Server (at least SP1).

Install the software per the instructions. After rebooting the computer,
access the PowerChute plus graphical user interface and perform the following
steps:
1. Go to the Configuration menu.
2. Go to 'UPS Operating Parameters.'
3. Adjust the 'External Battery Pack' field to the appropriate number of
external batteries.
4. Click OK.

3. Use the Smart-UPS Battery Pack Utility (Smart-UPS BATTPACK v2.1) on
diskette included with the XL Battery pack.
This program can be used with DOS or at a Windows DOS prompt. It cannot be
used with a DOS emulator or VDM (virtual DOS machine) like those in Windows 95,
Windows 98, or Windows NT. The APC UPS Link cable must be used to communicate
to the UPS. There are two black cables which can be used; part numbers
940-0024C or 940-1524C. If PowerChute software is running, EXIT out of the PowerChute
plus Server. In the case of Windows NT, the UPS service must be stopped.

To use the diskettes included with the XL battery packs, perform the
following steps:
1. At the prompt, type: battpack com[X] [Y]
2. [X] represents the available serial port that Battery Pack Utility needs to
access the Smart-UPS.
3. [Y] represents the number of external battery packs
For example: c:\battpack com1 4 means that the black cable is attached to
communication port 1 and there are four external battery packs.

The program will confirm that the update is successful.

The Battpack.exe can be downloaded from:
[ftp://ftp.apcc.com/apc/public/hardware/smartups/xbattpack/]

h2. End

Message was edited by: Erasmus

[BillP]

Ok, I have installed the software, and logged into my online control panel. Where it asks me how many total battery packs I have, so then do I include the UPS itself as a battery, in that case I would enter "2" in the box.

Or, do I only count the additional battery pack, and in that case, I would enter "1" ???

Thank you very much for your help with this!

[BillP]

Thank you very much Erasmus!

You have answered all of my questions!

Still a very happy customer of APC!

[Erasmus_apc]

This unit does not count its internal battery as a battery pack, so you would enter "1" if you are using one external battery pack.

[Anonymous user]

Hi, just want to add, how about for the SURT5000XLI, i don't have a battery pack but then i try to access the NMC via hyperterminal its show that i have external battery pack "1" it is a normal for SURT? because i try some of our Smart-UPS unit they don't have this value..

Thanks

[BillP]

the 1 you are seeing, that you cant change, is there to account for the internal battery pack. just leave that '1' there. if you ever get any external battery packs, then just add add them on. so if you get one external battery pack, you should have a total of '2' in that field.

[Anonymous user]

Thank you very much for the info.

One more thing, what happend if we purchase addition battery pack for SURT5000XLI, then value for the external battery pack automatically change to "2" or do we need manually to type the "2"? then if in case i didn't change the value of the external battery even i connect 1 external battery pack what will happen? it will affect my UPS?

Thanks

[BillP]

hi,

you will definitely need to manually update the count. if you dont, the UPS just wont be able to calculate the runtime correctly when the UPS is online so anything that you have configured to shutdown based on a certain amount of runtime remaining, like any powerchute clients, may not work correctly. the UPS would still use the batteries though if you forgot to update it, the runtime just wont be reflected in the interface.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the info...