Back-UPS ES 700 abruptly stops

[astor_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/17/2012

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I have a Back-UPS ES 700 and lately it dies abruptly on the battery supply side and emits a constant screeching sound. Supply is still provided on the surge-only sockets. I then have to unplug my PC and the sound stops. I then plug the PC back in and it powers up OK. This happened before with another PC and now it's happening with a relatively new one. Both are DELLs. It happens very infrequently, on average about once a month. I'm wondering if the self-test that's automatically run is causing this problem. Can this be executed manually? Other details:

Firmware revision: 829.D2.I
Software version: PowerChute Personal Edition 3.0.2

I have one PC and a small Netgear 5-port switch plugged into the battery backup sockets, and two monitors plus other peripherals plugged in to the surge-only protection sockets. Sensitivity is set the High.

I need this fixed one way or another as it's pointless having a UPS with such a characteristic. I might as well not have one. If this can't be resolved I'll to buy a new UPS, probably a Belkin. I also used the feedback option in PowerChute twice many weeks ago asking for help on this matter but had no response.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Dakota on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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What does power-chute say? Go to the diagnostics tab anf run a self test and post the result also on the current status page what does it say for the amount of watts being used?

Message was edited by: Wwallender

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Dakota on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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My bad its the run self test tab (to the left) of the powerchute software

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Dakota on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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delete this comment

Message was edited by: Wwallender

Message was edited by: Wwallender

[astor_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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Under "Monitor System" all I see is Performance and Current Status. There is no Self-Test button. I'm using the latest software. Looks like this UPS model doesn't have support for this feature, right?

[astor_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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Duplicate - delete this comment (got an error message immediately after posting so I hit the post message button again thinking there was a problem with the internet).

Message was edited by: astor

[astor_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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Duplicate - delete this comment (got an error message immediately after posting so I hit the post message button again thinking there was a problem with the internet).

Message was edited by: astor

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Dakota on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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I got the same commet error also ill look in to see how we can trigger a self test, ill get back to you in bit

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Dakota on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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"Honestly your unit seems to be quite old and also the battery seems to be "not replaceable" or a huge pain to get out so i doubt it was ever replaced. That is most likely the problem, but at this point i would, be looking at a new unit

This is my opinion (I have nothing to do with apc i simply help people on the forums) I have always gotten apc products after going thought 2 different branded upses. I think the BE750G would be a good choice and it will be much more reliable. now im sure its a little more expensive then the Belkin but then again you pay for what you get. Also the BE750G has user replaceable batteries. The unit has 3 year warranty and i actually had a unit fail the BX1000G but there was a bad batch of units so it wasn't all there fault. Thats my opinion but do what you want 🙂

BE750G

http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BE750G

[astor_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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Actually the battery appears to be replaceable. I've taken the cover off and disconnected and re-connected the terminal connectors just in case they were lose (they weren't). In any case, I agree it's probably time to replace the unit with a more modern one. I was going for a 600 Watt Belkin unit that produces a sine wave output being sold for a good price, but I think I'll stick to APC. I do have a couple of smaller Belkin UPS boards for less critical devices around the house and they have worked fine so far. I'm now thinking of splurging on an APC 540 Watt Pro 900. One criticism I have with APC though is their management software is very limited compared to that of Belkin or even CyberPower. Such a shame really.

Update: After reading this note: http://emea-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8883
I'm wondering if this is what's causing my problem. Perhaps when the UPS doe sits self-test mode and switches to battery mode, sometimes it fails as explained in the article. I'll have to review my choice of UPS as it appears the Pro series suffers the same problem as reported by some forum users.

Message was edited by: astor

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bernard on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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Can you provide the part# and serial# of the UPS and the model number of your Dell PCs?

[astor_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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I had a chat with APC and gave them the serial number. It's out of warranty if that's what you are thinking. The DELL PC is an XPS 8300. I used to also have a DELL Dimension 3100 plugged into the UPS but now I don't as I only have it as a spare, and very rarely turn it on anyway.

[astor_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/18/2012

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I've done some tests of my own. Simply unplugging the input power to the UPS cuts off all output power. This happens regardless of which PC I have plugged in (not both) but not even powered up! Sounds like the battery is almost dead. I say almost since I have a small switch also plugged into the battery backup. With that just plugged in, the UPS works fine when I unplug the input power. So, just that extra load from either PC even with the PC turned off is enough to overload the battery. Definitely time to replace the UPS.

Message was edited by: astor