BE750G Energy Management Function Not Working

[jhdeerslayer_apc]

This is more FYI than question since I think my PC PS not allowing this function to work correctly.

When I turn on Energy Mgmt in Power Chute software, my controlled outputs go off within a few seconds even with my 80W Master PC on.  I received a replacement unit from APC and it still does it.  Seems some power saving PS's out there don't work well with this feature.  If true, this point really should be made (or maybe it is and I missed it) on this units documentation/box.

[BillP]

Hi,

We apologize for your inconvenience. Our engineering team is investigating the issue. If you would like a replacement let me know and I will work with North American Technical Support to have one sent to you.

[azbruno_apc]

Has anyone found a solution to this issue yet?

I just took delivery of a BE750G yesterday and I cannot get the Controlled outlets to work as advertised. The symptoms are the same as previous posters. I've read everything, followed all instructions and done everything right.

I have the PC plugged into the Master. PowerChute PE says that it is using 31 watts of power. I've changed the threshold to all values, but when I enable the feature the Controlled outlets lose power. When I tell PowerChute PE to manually provide power to the Controlled outlets, nothing happens.

One thing I thought odd when I got the unit. The QA Test results showed the test done on 11/14/2013 (everything passed, of course), although PowerChute PE said the last manual self-test was done on 4/24/2014. And the battery was 100% charged right from the get go. I'd have expected it not to be full. Does the factory do a final charge up and self-test before shipping out units?

I don't see a desire to replace the unit since it seems to by a systemic problem.

[BillP]

Hi,

PowerChute will report the last manual self-test when either a self-test is requested via PowerChute or while PowerChute is running you press and hold down the power button on the Back-UPS.

Message was edited by: Bill P.

[azbruno_apc]

Bill,

I understand. My point was that I received the new unit on 5/20/2014, the manual self-test was on 4/24/2014, but the testing results on the new unit were dated 11/14/2013. In other words, five months after the factory testing something else was done with it, and that was a month before I got it from Amazon. And additionally, PCPE reports that the last transfer to battery was caused by a blackout on 4/11/2014. Just curious about who's playing with this thing before it get's to the retailer.

And when I first plugged it in yesterday it had 100% battery. Today it has 101%.

Anyway, what I'm really looking for is a way to use controlled outlets, which seems to be impossible, and very disappointing. When I shut down my machine nightly, I manually turn off the monitor and speakers. I'd rather that happened automatically.

-Bruno

[BillP]

FYI, we have this cause I've seen the 101% capacity thing before -> PowerChute Personal Edition reports 101% battery capacity/charge and "charging" constantly | FAQs | ...

[BillP]

Hi Bruno, noted in the kbase, the issue affects your version of firmware. It makes sense since it seems like your unit was manufactured in late 2013. Unfortunately, Back UPS products are not firmware upgradeable. If this cosmetic only issue was a concern, then the entire UPS would need to be replaced once the newer firmware was put into production. I believe it has been addressed in newer units but I don't have one yet manufactured after February to verify.

[azbruno_apc]

Hi Angela,

My unit has firmware version 908.W3.D, which I assume is the latest.

Your link suggests a new version may be released in February 2014. Has that happened?

Is there a way to upgrade the firmware from the PC?

Thanks,

Bruno

[azbruno_apc]

Angela,

Being cosmetic only, the issue does not bother me. But what about the subject of this thread? Has there been any further analysis? Is there any possibility of getting the controlled outlets to work? That was a big feature in the decision to go with this model.

-Bruno

[BillP]

Bruno,

If PCPE is displaying a date prior to you receiving the UPS and installing PCPE is strange. The last manual self-test data is stored in a database that is created when PowerChute is install and resides in the PowerChute folder on the PC. It is not stored on the UPS.

[azbruno_apc]

Thanks, Bill. That explains it. I replaced a BE550 with the BE750G so PCPE was already installed. The dates make sense for the BE550.

[Anonymous user]

Do we have a fix for this yet?   This is not acceptable, a product should be tested before it is sold even though the  tags say they were but obviously they were not.  This issue needs to be fixed ASAP

[BillP]

Hi,

The issue has been resolved. You should contact local technical support and they will assist with a replacement.

[jhdeerslayer_apc]

This is more FYI than question since I think my PC PS not allowing this function to work correctly.

When I turn on Energy Mgmt in Power Chute software, my controlled outputs go off within a few seconds even with my 80W Master PC on.  I received a replacement unit from APC and it still does it.  Seems some power saving PS's out there don't work well with this feature.  If true, this point really should be made (or maybe it is and I missed it) on this units documentation/box.

[BillP]

I think you're referring to the Master/Controlled outlet feature - correct? I assume they had you change the various threshold settings for that? I think there is some documentation on the threshold that can trigger it which is based on the wattage draw of the item connected to the master outlet.

[jhdeerslayer_apc]

Thanks Angela that is true about the Master/Control being my struggle. There is a threshold adjust for when powering off but my Master is powered on when the Controlled outlet automatically shuts off.  Yea I tried 10, 25, and 65 watts and still the Controlled shuts off.  My PC draws around 70-80W when sitting idle so seems this level should not shut off the Control plugs.   Keep hoping I'm missing something since the RMA'd unit does the same thing.

[BillP]

Hmm. Ok. Here are a few questions. Are the outlets cycling on at all or they turn off and stay off (referring to both what the Master and Controlled by Master do)?  And what specifically do you observe when the unit does this? Does it go to a sleep mode or do you see any flashing lights? And does your PC just turn off "hard" or does it do any type of graceful turn off with the master outlet?

[BillP]

Hi,

When you have some time please test the master and controlled outlets with a static load on the master. Try plugging a lamp in that has 60 watt bulb (hopefully you still have a 60 watt bulb available) and set Energy Management to 55 watts. Test the controlled outlet to see if power is cut. If not then that would indicate that the master outlet is not reading the computer power supply properly.

Thanks,

[jhdeerslayer_apc]

Here's the sequence - PC plugged into Master and Printer in Controlled.  PC and Printer is on.  Bring up Power Chute and go in and turn Energy Mgmt on.   Printer then shuts off after a few seconds (PC in Master stays on) and stays off.  Even using Power Chute to try and manually turn on the Controlled power does nothing.  This happens no matter what threshold I set for voltage i.e. 10, 25, 65, etc.

I have a Corsair 800W GS Power Supply in a high-end Digital Storm PC if that matters. 

Thanks for your help and chiming in!

[jhdeerslayer_apc]

Yea honestly a 60W light bulb was a challenge and I used a 40W incandescent with the threshold at 10W.  Same results.  I can try and round up a 60W though and try again.  Thinking this through it seems to rule out my PC power supply doesn't it?  And this is my second unit to do this and hence why it is baffling to me.

[jhdeerslayer_apc]

OK I found a 65W lite bulb lamp and here's my experience. 

PC Plugged into Master and printer in Controlled.  PC and printer is on.  Bring up Power Chute and go in and turn Energy Mgmt on.  Printer then shuts off after a few seconds (PC in Master stays on) and printer stays off.  Even using Power Chute manually to turn Controlled on does nothing.   This happens no matter what threshold I set for voltage i.e. 10, 25, 65, etc though my setting was at 10W for all this.

I then powered PC down on PC case switch.  Unplug from Master.  Connect 65W incandescent lamp into Master.  Turn on lamp.  Controlled outlet still stays off.

I am baffled...  Remember this is my second unit.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

I have the exact same issue with my BE750G that just arrived today. Whether enabling via Powerchute or on the unit itself, it's as if the "master" is never recognized. All "Controlled" devices will turn off 4 seconds after the Master Energy function is enabled, and will not turn back on until the Master Energy function is disabled. I have a 650W power supply that runs at about 80-100W when idle plugged into the Master. Monitors and speakers plugged into the Controlled. This was a purchasing point for me and I'm pretty disappointed that it doesn't appear to work. I've tried unplugging everything, adjusting the Watt plugging devices back in and I always get the same result. I had hoped maybe there was just a specific order in which I had to connect items or something else that I had missed, but I haven't found a solution.

If anyone has found a way to get this working, please let me know. Thanks!