BX1500 - is it worth fixing, is it even possible?

[Anonymous user]

A bx1500 was given to me in a non-working state. I figured it was just needing batteries so I ordered two for it. It turns out that one battery leaked inside, and there is also some indication of a spark at one of the battery terminals. On this model the two batteries are strapped together and have a 1/2" thick plastic plate between them which hosts the connector wires. One connection is very corroded and near it the plastic plate was melted (1/2" hole).

I am not sure if it's worth trying to fix it. I think it'd be hard to replace the thick wire which is a bit corroded at that one point, and the connection clip. Does APC sell parts like that? If I could buy a new plate and the associated wires that would work, as long as the price was reasonable.

I have the batteries and can't return them. So it's a bit of a dilemma.

Another factor is age. I don't know when this UPS was purchased but the UPS model has been around for quite a while. I had another UPS that was approx the same age begin to overvolt the batteries and it ruined a pair of new batteries when I put them in, expecting a fix.

[voidstar_apc]

>
I am not sure if it's worth trying to fix it. I think it'd be hard to replace the thick wire which is a bit corroded at that one point, and the connection clip. Does APC sell parts like that? If I could buy a new plate and the associated wires that would work, as long as the price was reasonable.
>

APC doesn't consider UPSes to be user-serviceable below the module level. That said, you might try water+baking soda to deactivate any acid, and a metal brush to remove the corrosion.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks voidstar. I think the terminal clip and the wire and wire sheathing are pretty beat up from the corrosion. I'd feel a lot safer if I could replace them, but to fabricate them would be more work than it's worth.

I didn't really pose it as a question, but by mentioning that I had another ups start overvolting the batteries after it got pretty old (8-10 years, which may be the age of the unit I'm writing about). Is it common for that kind of failure to appear after a certain age? It'd be another reason to not put a lot of effort into fixing the wires on this BX1500.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

They certainly do seem to drift out of calibration, particularly the lower-end models (I have some Matrix units that are 17+ years old that still work fine). Newer units seem to have better charging circuitry, though they've also been "cost engineered" to a level I'm not entirely happy with. I've been buying used SUA-series units that are around 5 years old and refurbing them (new batteries, re-calibrating voltages, etc). For me, that's the "sweet spot" in the product line.

Obviously, for business use this isn't what you want to do and you should just go to a new unit.