BX1500G - battery light blinking... but...

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Hello!

I have a BX1500G from Jan 2010 (still on original battery, front label is inscribed "Back-UPS XS 1500"), and when the battery light started blinking (and it's not carrying any load when unplugged from the wall), I initially suspected that I need a new battery.

Well, I decided to at least test the battery w/ my voltmeter, and it reads 21VDC. I'm not sure what the nominal voltage is, to compare.

In case it matters, this UPS had been sitting around (unused) for maybe 6-8mo, and it had previously been working just fine.

Is this just a dead battery? Should I simply order a new one?

Or are there any other steps I should take to ensure that's the issue at hand?

Thanks!

-Taner

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Anytime a UPS sits unused, the battery should be disconnected or you can leave it plugged in and off to trickle charge the battery. A flashing battery icon indicates the battery is disconnected (or the UPS cannot see it cause the voltage is indeed too low).

I believe this UPS has a 24vDC battery bus so it should have a float voltage at about 27vDC.

How long have you left the UPS plugged in (either on or off) and charging to see if the blinking battery goes away? I'd give it at least 24 hours if you can and if no change, I agree with a battery replacement.

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Hi Angela,

Thanks for the response! Yeah, normally I'd disconnect the battery if I had expected to leave the UPS sitting for a while -- but we had moved homes and I forgot about the UPS, as I hadn't found an immediate use for it, so... yeah... it sat for a while 😕

Anyway, I'll leave it plugged in for a day or so -- I hadn't done that yet, since I initially thought the flashing battery icon meant the battery was *dead* (as in, needing to be replaced), and not that it might just be low on charge 🙂

I'll report back in ~24hours or so 🙂

-Taner

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Anytime a UPS sits unused, the battery should be disconnected or you can leave it plugged in and off to trickle charge the battery. A flashing battery icon indicates the battery is disconnected (or the UPS cannot see it cause the voltage is indeed too low).

I believe this UPS has a 24vDC battery bus so it should have a float voltage at about 27vDC.

How long have you left the UPS plugged in (either on or off) and charging to see if the blinking battery goes away? I'd give it at least 24 hours if you can and if no change, I agree with a battery replacement.

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Hi Angela,

Thanks for the response! Yeah, normally I'd disconnect the battery if I had expected to leave the UPS sitting for a while -- but we had moved homes and I forgot about the UPS, as I hadn't found an immediate use for it, so... yeah... it sat for a while 😕

Anyway, I'll leave it plugged in for a day or so -- I hadn't done that yet, since I initially thought the flashing battery icon meant the battery was *dead* (as in, needing to be replaced), and not that it might just be low on charge 🙂

I'll report back in ~24hours or so 🙂

-Taner

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Alrighty.

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Quick follow-up...

After leaving the UPS plugged in overnight, it seems to be fine

Battery showing full, and I can unplug it from the wall and it carries load without an issue!

I guess I should have tested that before jumping to conclusions about the battery being actually dead....

Thanks!

-Taner

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

You're welcome.