Back UPS Pro 1500 BG new and faulty?

[Anonymous user]

I'll get right to the point, either the unit is failing to deliver a full charge or the batteries are flat (or it's detecting an incorrect low battery state).

According to the nice printout, all the tests pass but I guess that's not with the actual batteries that are shipped but just some test ones?

I started with a 6% load connected (40W, a NAS), then added my desktop PC which took it to nearer a 350W total load.  I was configuring the NAS to use UPS-NUT to communicate with WinNUT on the desktop so that I have an integrated shutdown.  Upon testing, when it went over to battery, I had less than 3 minutes runtime and barely enough time to have the two devices shutdown cleanly.  The NAS only just finished shutting down before the UPS quit. 

I had used the APC sizing tool prior to purchase and supported by the runtime graph http://www.apc.com/products/runtimegraph/runtime_graph.cfm?base_sku=BR1500G-IN&chartSize=large

A 350W load should have given me nearer 15 minutes.  I wouldn't even have argued at 10.

After another full charge, I tried the next day.  Just the 40W load. I should have got in excess of an hour, the UPS suggested 51 minutes so i'm not arguing there.  It quit at 25 minutes.

Day after that, a 250W load in the form of a light bulb, the chart says I should get in excess of 20 minutes, I repeatedly get no more than around 6 before it shuts off.  

I have read about the setting the battery replacement date, it was only May this year but I set that when I first installed Powerchute anyway so it's not that.

As it stands, this thing is flat out junk to me and i've started the returns process with Ebuyer as i've opted for a refurb Smart UPS 2200 from elsewhere and i'm still kicking myself for chucking out a Smart UPS 1400 some years ago but hey ho.

I fully appreciate that the displayed runtime is a guesstimate but the graph is based on actual measurement data so should be repeatable and I should certainly be in the same ballpark, not the massive under performance that i'm seeing.

I'd be curious to see if anyone else has had a similar experience or does indeed get the suggested runtimes advertised.

[BillP]

Hi David,

This sounds like nothing more than defective batteries, which are fully covered under the 3 yr manufacturer's warranty.

I would recommend making a call into the Schneider Electric tech support line. 800-890-4272 for additional assistance.

Best,

Secret Squirrel

[Anonymous user]

Hi thanks for the reply. I tend to agree but it makes a mockery of all the testing, printing the test results and sticking then to the unit for shipment and then throwing in some crap batteries!

If the tests aren't done with the shipped batteries, then the tests and the report are immediately invalidated.

I'm in the UK so the US number isn't my best option but thanks for taking the time to reply. I did want to validate that what I was seeing was completely wrong.

The vendor has accepted it back for return, as mentioned, I've opted for a refurbished APC Smart UPS 2200.

[Anonymous user]

The units are not always fitted with batteries because units are manufactured and then warehoused for distribution.  Sometimes this can be a considerable time later.    You wouldn't want batteries sitting in a warehouse for a long time with no maintenance.

Also, batteries are heavy and shipping 10,000 units with 10,000 batteries adds maybe 70,000lbs for shipping.

It simply isn't feasible or economical to test the units with final batteries.  Fortunately, the process ensures the best likelihood that you will receive a working unit.

They really do want everyone of the units to work properly.   Returns frustrate customers and cost the company profits 🙂

That said, I do feel your pain and hope you get it all straightened out quickly.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Yes very valid points on the shipping and warehousing.  Unfortunately, it didn't work out for them reducing costs on a return in this instance.

The refurb Smart UPS 2200 is working nicely though, had to make up a serial cable but that's signalling to a FreeNAS box which is then in communication with the desktop PC via WinNUT.  I'm much happier with the reported 1.5 hours on the 300W load than the sub 3 minutes that I experienced. 🙂

It's all I needed to do.

Appreciate the comments guys.