Back UPS Pro 650 clicking / beeping when unplugged, killing when plugged in

[Anonymous user]

Hi, I have a Back UPS Pro 650 (BP650IS 230v) that has been working well for over ten years, with battery changes every 2-3 years or so.

Two nights ago, whilst unplugged, it started making a series of beeps followed by clicking as if switching from mains to battery. I emphasise that this happened whilst it was unplugged from the mains and both the two PCs turned off.

This UPS is usually unplugged from the mains and only plugged in when the PCs it supports are required for use; typically only 6-12 hours per week.

The alarm is turned off, as it is pretty obvious from other sources (e.g. desk lamp) when power fails and I don't want it disturbing my toddlers who go to bed early. Self-test is also turned off.

Furthermore, when I plug it in and turn on the PCs, it kills power suddenly - no transfer to battery - at seemingly random intervals. This includes when the battery is showing in apcaccess / apctest as 100% charged with only 40% load and 12+ minutes charge remaining (for 2 PCs turned on) or 20% load and 30+ minutes charge remaining (for 1 PC turned on).

The overload, battery replacement and error LEDs on the front are all off.

apcaccess / apctest report that the battery is due for replacement - sounds about right, last change was 2010 - but my concern is the beeping / clicking when unplugged may indicate that the unit itself is now faulty.

I don't recall it ever doing this before when previous batteries expired.

Is it worth me replacing the RBC4 battery (20 quid third-party), or do I have a definitely faulty unit (fair enough after nearly 15 years) and I should just cut my losses and save up for a whole new unit?

I don't have 100 quid to splash out on a new unit (twins, who has twins?), but I could save it up within a few weeks and just use my laptop in the mean time (my house has power outage issues, don't want to risk running my PCs without UPS).

I definitely don't have 120 quid to waste buying a replacement battery and THEN having to buy a new unit anyway.

What are the chances that replacing the battery will make the unplugged beeping/clicking and plugged-in sudden power-downs go away?

Message was edited by: aoakley

[BillP]

aoakley wrote:
Two nights ago, whilst unplugged, it started making a series of beeps followed by clicking as if switching from mains to battery. I emphasise that this happened whilst it was unplugged from the mains and both the two PCs turned off.

Aside from the UPS being unplugged, I would like to know if the UPS is OFF or is running on battery when you hear these clicks?

[Anonymous user]

JonPro wrote:
Aside from the UPS being unplugged, I would like to know if the UPS is OFF
or is running on battery when you hear these clicks?

Turned off long before the clicks/beeps start.

I'll check to see whether it magically turns itself on (despite having no cables of any kind connected) during the clicks. I cannot imagine why it would turn itself on; certainly no human turns it on and no machine is connected. However I am prepared to admit the possibility that it decides for itself, to turn itself on.

Self-test is off, though. Checked, rechecked and checked that again.

Thanks for any insight you might provide.

[Anonymous user]

JonPro wrote:
Aside from the UPS being unplugged, I would like to know if the UPS is OFF
or is running on battery when you hear these clicks?

Unbelievable. It's turning itself on - running itself on battery.

I turn it off and disconnect all cables. Half an hour or so later, it turns itself on, clicks, beeps and buzzes a bit, then turns itself back off. The "On" LED lights up for the duration of the operation. Then it turns itself off, and then clicks a few seconds later. The "On" LED goes out. It then falls silent for a long period before repeating the process again. This is consistently reproducible.

This is despite it being completely unplugged from everything - no mains power, no PCs attached, not even the serial cable attached.

Had to remove the battery to get a good night's sleep.

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer!

Message was edited by: aoakley

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Something is not right on that UPS. I recommend that you discontinue using that UPS.