Alarm muting

[Rik77]

I have an APC Model BE 650 GI UPS

Unit. After replacing the battery, I am experiencing frequent 10 second continuous alarms accompanied by a flashing red light. I reduced the load to computer only on the surge / backup outlets. I have tried unplugging the unit and reconnecting. The problem persists. I am unable to determine the cause for the alarm and how to mute it. Power is not affected but the alarm is very annoying. Some advice would be appreciated. 

[Teken]

If the unit is not connected to a computer running APC Power Chute Software do so now.

The application will narrow down and may call out the active fault / error(s). Once the fault has been captured by PCSS / PCPE software upload the following logs: Event, Data, UPS

Brain Dead: You may perform the logic reset to (Brain Dead) or clear any soft faults as outlined by this APC Resource Link:

https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA158947/

NOTE: If you just replaced the battery (RBC) than using Power Chute Software complete the following steps:

Battery: Update the battery installation date if available.

Self Test: Manually initiate a self test and let pass and allow the battery (RBC) to recover back to 100% SOC (State of Charge).

Battery Calibration: Manually initiate a battery calibration with at least 30% attached load and allow this process to complete and the RBC to recover back to 100% SOC.

This step will allow the system to more accurately reflect the operational runtime via Power Chute etc.

If all the above fails to resolve the issue and the system is still under APC Warranty submit a RMA request for replacement.

If the hardware is (NOT) under warranty than replace the unit.

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[Rik77]

Thank you for your response to my question. Your suggested steps look to be helpful. I have not been able to find  Power Chute Software that would enable those functions. The Power Chute Personal Edition was discontinued and moreover, Mac OS is not supported for PowerChute Serial Shutdown. Another aspect of my situation is that when my original battery failed, I took the unit to a local battery supplier who replaced it with a non APC battery. 

Could that be causing a fault and triggering the alarms? Also, since my Back-UPS hardware is more than 5 years old and no longer under warranty, perhaps I need to simply replace the unit.

[Teken]

You may download the last release of PCPE using this APC Resource link for Windows OS:

https://www.apc.com/us/en/download/document/APC_PCPE_310/

It’s not likely the third party battery is at fault unless you received a old battery sitting on the shelf. As such you’ll need to measure the voltage while it’s connected to the system and disconnected and removed from the unit.

Report back the measured voltage in place (Connected) and removed (Disconnected).

Disconnected: Measure the initial charge voltage immediately after disconnection and record.

Allow the RBC to sit for at least 72 hours.

Take another voltage measurement at the 72 hour mark and report back the two measurements. 

This very basic test will provide some insight but isn’t the final say. Regardless, a healthy battery (RBC) will drop approximately 0.1 - 0.3 VDC after the initial surface charge has been removed.

If the voltage drops by 1-3 volts the RBC is suspect and needs to be tested more thoroughly such as a load test or measuring the internal resistance of the RBC with a specialized measurement tool.

NOTE: If you have not completed the brain dead reset please do so now and report back the results. Should this procedure not solve the problem take the measurements outlined above and report back the results.

You may also just skip all of this and purchase a new unit and consider using the APC Trade-UPS to receive a modest discount on the next hardware under consideration:

https://www.apc.com/shop/tradeups/us/en/tradeups/overview.jsp

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