Back-UPS ES 700 - The battery, the unit, or the hardware?

[notasurfer_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/8/2011

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So I've had my ES 700 for 5 years now. A month or two ago I noticed during a powerout that the UPS battery can't keep my PC powered on anymore! So far it has worked every time. Damnit! Ok, so, I thought maybe it's just the battery being old, and I bought a new one. I plugged it in about two weeks ago and few days ago had another powerout. The PC maintained power, however the UPS started blaring, IMMEDIATELY giving the signal that the battery is almost drained! It was that "2 beeps per second" signal, and the PC was practically idle then, only had the browser open. Also, I have to add, normally the unit occasionally makes this click-whirrrr-click sound, which I assume is the self-test, right? That sound? Haven't heard it in months.

Here's my setup:
- Only my PC connected to one of the battery backup outlets, but not the monitor, because then the power fails during powerout. Didn't fail before...
- The PC: an average gaming rig: Win 7, GTX 460, Core i5-2500k, 3 hard drives, which add up to 80W when idle, 210W under full load... as far as I know. Measured with a cheap electricity meter from the socket.
- The ES 700 is connected directly to a wall socket (no extension cords)
- Not using the PowerChute software

So.. what gives? Did I buy a bad battery or is the ES 700 itself malfunctioning? Or is that PC hardware too much for the ES 700?

[notasurfer_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/17/2011

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The LED flashed green.

Sort of re-calibration, eh? Well that's an interesting, and a new, angle. I'll have to look into installing PowerChute, and first finding that data cable. I, uh, I apologize for delayed responses, I keep forgetting the whole issue.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Dakota on APC forums on 10/8/2011

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Do You Have Powerchute Installed

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 10/9/2011

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he mentioned that he does not use powerchute.

my questions - can you tell me the exact model of the UPS from the white sticker on it? i am guessing [BE700BB|http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BE700BB] but I want to be sure so i can cross check a few things. when you hear the blaring tone, are there any LEDs present? if so, are they solid or flashing.

when you purchased the battery, was it a genuine APC battery or from a third party? does it have any serial numbers or date codes on it? how long specifically was the UPS plugged in and charging for once you replaced the battery?

[notasurfer_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/10/2011

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1) This one is BE700GR
2) The LED flashed constantly.
3) I'll have to get back to you about the serial numbers / dates, but I trust the webstore that sold it to me. It's a major one over here (Finland). The battery itself at least LOOKS authentic, at least the sticker on the side of the battery looks identical to the one on the old battery.
4) The new battery was connected for, like, two weeks. Plenty of time to charge up.

Say, does PowerChute contain any diagnostic utilities? Maybe I'll scope out the software when I can get around it... Thanks btw.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 10/11/2011

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what color did the LED flash? just to be sure?

powerchute can only perform a self test and tell you the runtime it thinks it has as well as input voltage and a few other stats.

to me, the first thing i would maybe try is some type of calibration. sometimes what happens is the unit doesnt realize it has a new battery so it doesnt update itself with its new runtime even though it can run for 20 minutes, for example, it still thinks it only has 2 or 3 minutes left like it did with the older battery.

if you could somehow hook up PCPE and maybe load this thing up to 30-40%, after its fully charged, and remove any data cable to the UPS, then unplug it and let it run on battery and see how long it goes. then let it charge up for a day or so and see if it still has the same issue.

i might want to find out the LED flashing's color first though before you proceed with this.