BX1500LCD not charging batteries

[Anonymous user]

I have a BX1500LCD that has served me well for a few years now.  However, during a recent power outage the UPS completely failed to cut in, and when the power returned, I discovered that the battery bar graph was completely empty.  I let it sit for a while with the power on, but the battery graph never moved off of zero.

Despite the fact that the "bad battery" icon wasn't lit, I decided to replace the batteries.

After inserting the new batteries, the UPS did its self test and I noticed that the battery bar graph was full.  Hurrah, problem solved.  Or so I thought...

Over the next day or so, I noticed that the battery bar graph started dropping, and the Estimated Run Time kept dropping along with it, until eventually I was back to where I started, with no segments in the battery display, no "bad battery" indicator, and zero run time available.

I took the UPS out of service and broke out my DMM to investigate.  What I found was that with power applied but the unit switched off, the voltage at the battery pack gradually increases (at the low, low rate of around 0.01V per minute), but when I turn the unit on the battery voltage starts to drop at the rate of about 0.01V every five seconds - even with no load whatsoever.

So it seems to me that the charging circuitry is either broken or very confused, and I guess my question is, is there any way to reset or resurrect this thing, or is it toast?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi Jon,

We do have a reset procedure called a braindead you could try:

1) Unplug any load from the unit

2) Unplug the unit from utility power

3) Disconnect the battery

4) Hold the power button for a solid 20 seconds

5) Reconnect everything and bring the UPS back online per normal

This sometimes clears issues, but if it does not fix this issue, it would appear there is an internal issue with the UPS and it requires replacement.

Regards,

[Anonymous user]

On 9/25/2015 8:05 AM, Jordan said:

We do have a reset procedure called a braindead you could try

Hi, Jordan.

Unfortunately that procedure didn't help; I guess it's time for another trip to Fry's.

Thanks,
  Jon.