BE-750G-CN low Runtime

[BillP]

Hello,

I was looking for a UPS to power my ADSL router for at least 8 hours so I used the UPS selector tool, load 6 Watts, time 8 hours and the result was BE-750G-CN with a Runtime of 839 minutes (14 hours).

Got the UPS charged and calibrated as per Angela’s suggestion (https://community.exchange.se.com/t5/Home-and-Office-Forum/bd-p/home-office-forum) and then unplugged the UPS with only the ADSL router plugged in. Powerchute was showing a load of 4 Watts and 167 minutes (remaining) and it lasted only 143 minutes. I checked the manufacturing date of the battery, it was 130831 (Aug, 2013) so I returned the UPS. The sales associate was kind enough to open another 2 boxes but both batteries were from 2013.

I ordered online another UPS, this one had the battery manufactured almost 8 month ago (140408) and after going through all the steps Powerchute showed 240 min and it lasted only 4 hours and 3 minutes (Powerchute was very accurate).

When I’ve chosen the UPS I did not expect the full runtime given by the APC Selector (839 minutes) but something in the 75-80% range. Also the UPS Selector shows 1103 minutes at 4 Watts load but I am using the lower number 839 minutes runtime for 6 Watts to compensate for errors (load).

How can I get a (“fresh”) battery to keep my router up for at least 10 hours?

Thanks

[BillP]

Tech support can provide you with a new battery under warranty if you feel like the battery is a concern and have evidence of it but I am afraid that the runtimes reported via PowerChute for a UPS like this are really good estimates as I think you've already found. The best way to identify a problem in runtime available for this type of UPS would be to do the manual calibration like you did.

[BillP]

Thank you for your reply.

Before contacting tech support I wanted a confirmation that the tool provided by APC on their website is accurate, after all the whole purpose of that tool is to enable the customer to make an informed decision before purchasing a product. 

Would appreciate if you could find out how much runtime should I expect from a BE750G-CN under a 4 Watts load (or BE750G, both are using the same RBC17 battery and both give 839 minutes runtime under 4Watts).

[BillP]

Otto,

The BE750G and BE750G-CN are the same model. The difference is the BE750G-CN has both English and French documentation.

[BillP]

Bill, thanks for your input. I mentioned BE750G because they might have data only for this product since BE750G-CN is the exact same product.

Anyway, could someone answer a very simple basic question regarding this product, what is the runtime that a customer should expect at a 4-6 Watts load?

[BillP]

Hi again - sorry for the delay on my part. I had to follow up with someone else that works more closely with Back-UPS products to get the feedback you asked for.

They told me that many of our units have runtime limiters and wouldn't even allow anything near the runtime you're seeing at such a low load but then it is mis-leading if the 'tool' is able to give you values for 4-6 watts if you ask me.. Just so I can make sure we are on the same page, which tool/reference are you looking at for 4-6 watts beng listed though - this UPS selector you said, right? http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm.....I was looking at http://www.apc.com/products/runtime_for_extendedruntime.cfm?upsfamily=29 for an idea and I also checked http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=29&tab=models which offers a drop down list but I only see them going as low as 50 watts and then showing 1 hr 29 minutes.

It was also mentioned that the tool online is accurate based on the numbers provided, however we can make an educated guess that the unit was never actually tested for the load vs. runtime you are looking for. We also can't guarantee you will see the runtime the tool is stating in your actual configuration (but my personal opinion is that it should at least be somewhat in the ball park and if it is not and also based on what you described, then that is a concern and needs to be addressed). Long story short as I am typing and reading what I was told, it may be possible the UPS selector could've provided inaccurate information. I don't suppose by chance you could go through it again and screenshot what you chose and what it told you so I could escalate the possible issue with the selector?

But in general, every time you discharge the unit to test the runtime, it's going to be a little less runtime each time you charges the batt and discharges again.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Angela, thanks for the info and sorry for being impatient.

Here is a clip using APC’s Selector tool, selecting both 4 Watts load and then 6 Watts load and the result.

The runtime limiters that you were told about are as you said just for some products and it seems that the tool takes that into account. If you look at the second part of the clip (6 Watts load) you’ll see the 3 recommendations: BE750G showing a runtime of 839 min, the BR1000G 1362 min and the “Best Performance” BR1300G only 399 min so it’s most likely that BR1300G has runtime limiters for low load.

I’ve also seen the dropdown list which goes down up to 50 W (1 h 29 minutes) but even by those standards I got 48 minutes, I mean that’s what Powerchute showed and at that time it was already calibrated.

I share your point of view as far as the runtime shown and the real runtime, as you said it should be somewhat in the ball park and that’s why I said that I was expecting 75-80% of the runtime shown.

I am aware that charging/discharging will slowly diminish the capacity of the battery so for my purposes I was thinking of ordering a new battery every 2 yrs or so. Like with any batteries of this type there are other factors that diminish the battery capacity like the temperature and the length of time it’s stored (i.e. CSB battery manufacturer ) that’s why I was asking for a way to get a "fresh” (2 months) battery.

Thanks again for your help

PS. Please let me know if you are not able to access the video/screenshot.