Back UPS 350 behavior

[Anonymous user]

I haven't been using this item for too long, and tonight I've removed it from my system. I am also in communication with tech support.

On the surge protection side, I had plugged in a printer/scanner unit and a desk lamp. On the backup battery side was plugged in a desktop computer, an LCD monitor, and a router. The modem and speakers were plugged into a different surge protector using an outlet at the same wall plate (there are 2 spots to plug things in there, so I had the UPS on one and the other surge protector on the other). I am not using the software.

I had the Back UPS plugged in for 24 hours with nothing plugged into it before I ever used it on this system, in order to charge up the battery.

Since using the UPS, I've noticed that from time to time, it would beep about 3 times, but I figured it was sensing power changes and was just quite sensitive to that. It did what it was supposed to do, it allowed the items on the backup battery side to stay on through little minor power fluctuations. Then about July 10 or 11th, we had some weather and the power went out, and everything plugged into the Back UPS shut down immediately. The electricity to our home was off for less than 2 minutes. The Back UPS emitted a continuous tone during that time (extremely annoying!) until I pushed the button to shut it off. When electrical service to our home was restored, I powered up the UPS and the computer and monitor attempted to power up. The UPS abruptly shut down and everything plugged into it lost power. This happened a couple of times. Eventually, it did start to work properly.

All seemed normal until tonight.

We had a power outage to our home and this time power to the computer, monitor, and router stayed on. I powered down the computer and forgot to turn off the monitor and router, which probably wouldn't have been drawing a lot anyway. The UPS was beeping every few seconds. Then it went to continuous. All of this occurred in less than 5 minutes. The electrical service to our home was restored. The UPS was screaming and the lights on top were flashing red/green. The computer mysteriously started itself up. When I turned off the noisy UPS, everything plugged into the battery backup side shut down, while the items plugged into the surge protection only side remained on.

First of all...The nonstop noise which did not shut off even when power was restored to our house. That is simply intolerable. I mean, seriously, no one can put up with that. When the power comes back on, shouldn't the unit stop squawking and get to work recharging the battery? The only time the 'low battery' warning is needed is when the battery is actually in use.

Second, why is it that when the power button on the UPS is off, all items plugged into the battery backup side shut down and all items plugged into the surge protection side stay on? I have conventional surge protectors, and when you shut it off, everything plugged into it is shut off as well.

And the support person who responded to my letter asked for the wattage of everything plugged into the unit. I can't find that information on anything except my desk lamp. Where is that information?

I wanted this battery backup because due to the power outages where I live, I don't feel safe in trying to defrag my computer. After the incident at the beginning of the month, I wasn't feeling confident enough to try even with the UPS.

I guess I'm questioning whether or not this backup unit is behaving normally. If this is normal, I have to say, I don't like it. All I wanted was a product that would protect my system from power fluctuations and give me the chance to gracefully shut my computer down in the event of a power outage.

I have since plugged it into another outlet with nothing plugged into it, and it sits quietly. ???

Message was edited by: farmer

[BillP]

no problem.

[BillP]

hi..i have included my comments in bold.

First of all...The nonstop noise which did not shut off even when power was restored to our house. That is simply intolerable. I mean, seriously, no one can put up with that. When the power comes back on, shouldn't the unit stop squawking and get to work recharging the battery? The only time the 'low battery' warning is needed is when the battery is actually in use.
*If the unit is overloaded or there is something wrong with the UPS, generally it outputs a constant tone. depending on what the issue IS, it wont stop until you disconnect the battery but generally, when you turn off the unit it should stop. I have [included a link to the manual right here|http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z7VAQ_R3_EN.pdf] and which describes the symptoms and alarms and how to get them to stop. Maybe we can match the combo up to one of those*

Second, why is it that when the power button on the UPS is off, all items plugged into the battery backup side shut down and all items plugged into the surge protection side stay on? I have conventional surge protectors, and when you shut it off, everything plugged into it is shut off as well.
*That is the way this one is designed. A lot of our Back UPS and surge protectors have "Always on" outlets. So the surge only outlets on yours are "always on." Some of our surge protectors work the way to describe with only a couple "always on" outlets.

And the support person who responded to my letter asked for the wattage of everything plugged into the unit. I can't find that information on anything except my desk lamp. Where is that information?
This information is generally on the device you are looking at - such as a computer - should be on the power supply or on the back where you normally see UL ratings. at a minimum it should give you the amps. you should also be able to get it online. They asked this because the symptoms seem to be that the UPS is becoming overloaded at certain points. This unit can only handle 200 watts. you may, at certain times, pull more than that with the equipment plugged in.

I wanted this battery backup because due to the power outages where I live, I don't feel safe in trying to defrag my computer. After the incident at the beginning of the month, I wasn't feeling confident enough to try even with the UPS.

I guess I'm questioning whether or not this backup unit is behaving normally. If this is normal, I have to say, I don't like it. All I wanted was a product that would protect my system from power fluctuations and give me the chance to gracefully shut my computer down in the event of a power outage.
I understand what you mean. It just may be that this undersized for what you require. You can try plugging the lamp into the battery back up side and pulling the plug to simulate a power outage to see if anything strange happens when it transfers over. If you are over 200 watts, say when you are doing more processing power, the UPS will give you the constant tone. it should also stop providing power to the outlets. once we get a "worst case" wattage value, the largest amount your equipment can pull, then we can size something appropriate for you. Maybe something with 500 watts or so.

I hope this helps. please post if you have any other questions or if i missed something.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your response. I think you're correct, that the unit was probably overloaded. Technical support advised me to take the following steps:

"This issue happens due to excess load attached to the Unit or if the Unit is hit by a high Power Surge. Please check the Circuit Breaker Switch at the back of the UPS, if it is popped out try resetting it. In case the Breaker is not popped out kindly perform the Test mentioned below. It will help to reset the UPS.

Please ensure before the test that the unit is charged properly with out any load for 8-10 hours.

Test:
1. Please unplug all connected devices from the unit including the interface cable if connected.
2. Switch the unit off if it is on
3. Unplug the unit from the wall outlet.
4. Then press the power switch and release it as soon as you hear a second beep.
5. The unit should come up on battery and beep 4 times every 30 seconds
6. Then plug in the UPS to wall outlet, the Green LED will glow."

I did all of that and I have the unit connected to all the equipment once again. It has been behaving properly, which means it has been supplying backup power to the devices I have plugged into it. We haven't had any sustained power outages, but there have been some brief ones due to weather conditions. I suspect that during the incident when everything shut down right away, that that was due to a power surge.

The little power blips here and there were wreaking havoc on my Linksys router, so I now have it, along with the computer and monitor, on the battery backup side. There's no room there for the modem, and I suspect that would be too much for this model of Back UPS to handle anyway.

If the type of thing I first described happens again, I'll try resetting the unit.

Thanks again. 🙂