APC UPS Pro 550 - Noob questions, Buzzing, LCD contrast, Sensitivity and leave them on all the time?

[Anonymous user]

Hi everyone,

Just bought a few UPS's and its my first time owning any. They are APC UPS Pro 550 and as a noob, have a few questions.

- Is the buzzing noise normal?

- How do i adjust the contrast / brightness of the lcd screen? On two of them, its very dark and i cant see the screen too well.

- What sensitivity should i set it at? One will be for my NVR, the others for my PCs. I just want it to kick in when there is a power cut. Nothing else too fancy.

- Do they hold their charge well if i switch them off completely?  During say holidays or time away from home, the ones for my PCs, i would feel like switching them off because well my pc is off. I would want my nvr one on all the time.. Or are you meant to just leave the UPS on all the time regardless?

Thanks all!

[BillP]

Hi Ayhan,

For your first 2 points, it would be helpful to know the exact model and serial number of the unit, which is located on a white sticker either on the back or bottom of the unit.  However, I can tell you that some level of buzzing/noise is typical in most units depending on the mode of operation, ie. online, charging, or on battery.

For your 3rd point, if you are only worried about complete power outage issues, I would suggest you keep the unit at default sensitivity settings.

For your last point, we would suggest leaving the UPS on regardless.  To ensure the longest life of the battery, you will want to keep it consistently charged.  Overall, the shelf life of a battery not being charged is about 6 months before the battery dies.

-Ben

[Anonymous user]

Hi Ben

Thanks for your answers.

All are BR550GI,

The serial number of one with a bright LCD contrast is > 3B1118X52583.

The serial number of another with dark not as easily visible LCD is > 3B1118X51022

Could the contrast issue be a manufacturing thing where by APC decided later to make the LCDs brighter?

What if I were to switch them off but leave them plugged into the wall socket? Do they still charge the battery when the unit is off?

And one more question, The ports at the back are no good for plugging in devices like routers, switches and monitors so i need adapters. Is there a difference between the following:

- Connecting an IEC C14 to 4 Way Gang extension to one of the sockets at the back and then plug in the multiple devices to that one extension

- Connecting multiple IEC C14 to 1 Way Gang extensions to each available socket at the back of the APC and connecting just one device per extension

Ie, do you need to “balance” the output on the UPS unit? Are all the connectors in line with each other, or does the UPS power each socket on its own?

Its cheaper to buy 1 x IEC C14 to 4 Way Gang extension than 4 x IEC C14 to 1 Way Gang extensions

Thanks

[BillP]

Thanks Ayhan,

There is no brightness/contrast adjustments on that unit.  The difference in the brightness between two units is likely due to small differences in manufacturing like you mentioned.  However, you can change the display to either be always on, or power saving mode where it will turn the display off after 60 seconds of inactivity (instructions in the manual).

The unit does not charge while turned off but still plugged into the wall, but it will still provide power on the surge only outlets.

We do not recommend the use of any extension cables or adapters to be used with any APC product.  The exception being the jumpers provided with the unit, or the conversion cables we have available for sale on our website.  We would consider the use of these items to be improper use of the unit, and would not provide a replacement under warranty if the unit were to fail.

- Ben

[Anonymous user]

Thanks Ben

Great info.

Do you have the links to your store for the Jumpers that come with the units (I dont have any) and to the conversation cables please.

[BillP]

Hi Ayhan,

The link to the cables on our website is listed below.

http://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/categories/power-distribution/rack-power-distribution/power-cords/N-1c...

- Ben

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Great!

Thanks for your time.

[SamirD_apc]

On 2/28/2018 1:35 PM, Ben said:

The unit does not charge while turned off but still plugged into the wall, but it will still provide power on the surge only outlets.

Are you sure this is correct?  All of our units will still charge if powered off and plugged in.  In fact, the battery replacement instructions also say that it will charge faster if turned off vs being on with a load.

[Anonymous user]

On 3/2/2018 6:02 AM, Samir said:

On 2/28/2018 1:35 PM, Ben said:

The unit does not charge while turned off but still plugged into the wall, but it will still provide power on the surge only outlets.

Are you sure this is correct?  All of our units will still charge if powered off and plugged in.  In fact, the battery replacement instructions also say that it will charge faster if turned off vs being on with a load.

Wondering which is correct?

[SamirD_apc]

I just realized your model is 240V, which must operate differently than mine which are 120V.

[Anonymous user]

Tested and mine charges while off....

Any devices connected however, do not power up while it is off.