APC UPS won't charge above 10% (new genuine battery)

[janp]

Hi,

My Back-UPS 700 indicated a battery replacement (was from 2018). So I changed it with a new genuine APC replacement battery.

Now PowerChute indicates its charged for 10% but won't charge any further. I reset the UPS but with no result.

I've put load on the battery and the charge went down to 9,6%, then I plugged it back in and it charges until 10%.

So the unit does charge.

How can I fix this.

Tx

Jan

[JonPro]

Hello @janp,

Good day!

To assist you better, can you provide the model number of your BackUPS unit?

I see from your post that you've reset the UPS, can you please share the exact steps that you did?

I would assume as well that you did a runtime calibration on your end since you have mentioned that the charged when down to 9,6% and went up to 10%.

Kindly perform a full UPS logic reset on your UPS and then let's charge it to 100%.  Once it has reached 100%, ensure that you have at least 30% load attached to the unit and disconnect the USB cable from the UPS and computer if you have one.

We are going to do a manual runtime calibration by unplugging the UPS from the input power source and leaving the UPS running on the battery power until the battery dies/depletes.  Plug the UPS back in once it has turned off from the calibration and note if it the issue gets fixed.

We can also do a software runtime calibration, you will need to install the latest PowerChute Personal Edition (PCPE) on a support Operating System.  From the software, you can launch the software calibration and also update the last battery replacement date.

Please see the helpful links below to assist you further.

• How to Brain Dead a Back-UPS unit. (Full UPS Logic Reset) 
• PowerChute Personal Edition v3.1 
• PowerChute Personal Edition Operating System Compatibility Chart 
• PowerChute Personal Edition v3.1.0 - Installation Guide & Release Notes 
• PowerChute Personal Edition v3.1.0 - User Guide 

I hope this helps!

[janp]

Hi John,

Thanks for helping out.

I use the APC Back-UPS 700. 

I do this to support my small server (Windows Server 2019) in the office.

I need the UPS to do a clean shutdown when the poser cuts. All other things like switches and routers are just plugged in.

This setup worked fine until I updated my Power Chute Business version.

Apparently does the Powerchute Business version NOT support the Back-UPS 700 anymore. 

I saw some forum posts where it said that the Back-UPS 700 should be "managed" with the Personal version.

It sees the UPS but it only reports 10% of the battery.

Its however impossible to use the Personal version on a Windows Server. But I need the Windows Server due to some specific business software.

I don't remember what the earlier version of PowerChute Business was that worked. 

Do you know how I can download the previous versions so I can test?

I also used another Back-UPS 700 unit to test if it was the unit. But its the software that is causing the problem.

Tx

Jan 

[JonPro]

@janp,

You are correct, the software that works with our BackUPS is the PowerChute Personal Edition but it is not compatible with the server OS.

See PowerChute Personal Edition Operating System Compatibility Chart 

For customers that are using the BackUPS that have a data port and need to shut down their server OS, we recommend using the native serial/USB shutdown.

Please see the FAQ below for your reference.

• Configuring the Native Serial Shutdown Support in Windows 2000, XP, or 2003 
• Configuring Native USB Power Options in Windows 2000, XP, or 2003 
• Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista, 7, 8, & 10, Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, & 2019 to safely s...