Back-UPS RS 1500 LCD-No Load after battery change

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I searched around the forums a bit and couldn't find a similar problem. I have a Back-UPS RS 1500. It's the LCD model.

I was having battery related issues lately. I use Powerchute Personal (newest version) and I kept getting errors that pointed to a bad battery so I did the deed and replaced it. New battery is in and working fine. I've done a self-test and it passed. I also changed the battery replacement date.

I plugged in the peripherals that were there before the battery change, and it's showing that I have no load on the UPS. The load on the LCD varies between 0-3 watts and I'm told I have 785 minutes remaining. All other indicators are normal outside of all load indicators. Powerchute tells me the same thing.

I'm stumped. Before the battery crapped out, it showed load, but no battery available. Now its the opposite.

Screenshot of Powerchute status is attached.

Help!

[Anonymous user]

Hi Celly,

Are those devices connected to your UPS on the battery+surge side?Are they all ON? Can you do a pull plug test (unplugging the UPS from the wall). While UPS is on battery with connected loads are running and drawing power, it should recalculate its actual runtime.

Please let us know the outcome.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for the reply.

All the peripherals/PC were plugged into the UPS in the same way they were before the battery change. I've now got the UPS set up so the LCD won't turn off. Strangely, instead of the wattage deviating from 0-3 watts, it was holding steady at 4 watts this morning. I think I have 4 things plugged into the "backup" plugs and one (a printer) in the surge only plug.

I'm going to try what you suggested when I get home later today.

[Anonymous user]

Sure thing! Please let us know if you see anything else weird aside from what you have experienced.

[Anonymous user]

Tonight when I got home, I powered down all the equipment I had plugged into the UPS. I then unplugged the UPS and powered it down too. Then I plugged the UPS back in, and one by one attached equipment to it. Still deviates between 0-4 watts of load. I then unplugged the UPS from the wall and the battery took over as expected.

It said I had 785 minutes of run time to start and went down to around 770 before I plugged it back in (screenshot attached).

The UPS seems to be doing it's job. It's simply not recognizing that anything is plugged in.

I'm stumped.

[Anonymous user]

After my "experiment" last night, the total load varies between 5-7 watts now and not the 0-4 as before.

[Anonymous user]

Did you add or reduce load attached to this UPS after you replace the battery? May I know, do you still remember how much load in watts and how much runtime you have before you replace the battery? Can you itemize what are connected on the battery side of this UPS and if possible for you to include the watts drawn from the name plate of the devices, it would be great!

[Anonymous user]

The load was identical before and after the battery change. I'll try and take stock of what is plugged in and the power usage, but that will be easier said than done right now (it will be tricky to gain access to some of the power settings on the components).

My gut feel is the UPS is faulty. Luckily, the battery is working now and the PC and Powerchute are talking so I do have battery backup. My concern is that with the faulty runtimes being reported, the battery will run out before Powerchute can do an orderly shutdown.

Thanks for the reply as always.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Celly,

If you are still in doubt after you did the troubleshooting or after knowing the information, please try to call out technical support hotline at 800-800-4272 so an APC agent can assist you especially if the unit needs to be replaced (especially if it's under warranty).

[Anonymous user]

Thanks again for the reply. I'll do my best to contact you. My issue is I troubleshoot in the evenings.

I purchased the UPS directly from APC as part of a trade-in program. It was purchased in late 2008 if I recall. Sorry, I can't remember the date, but it's under three years. What is my warranty?

Please shoot me a PM and I'll send you my personal info to see if it's under warranty and maybe we could troubleshoot offline. Calling during office hours will be tough. (UPS is at home during the day).

Strangely enough, the only piece it does recognize that is plugged into it is a Dell 17" LCD monitor. When on, wattage goes up to around 28 watts. When disconnected or in sleep mode, it goes back to 6-8 watts of load.

Cheers,

Brad (celly)

[Anonymous user]

Hi Celly,

I understand the situation. If you dont mind,
Please send me(in private) the serial and exact model number of the unit located from the technical data of the software or at the small sticker with bar code on the unit- so we can see how much warranty you still have. Also, please provide me the following information so I can create a case for and send you as a reference number.

Full Name:
Company Name:
Shipping Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:

[Anonymous user]

Hi Brad,

My apology for a late reply.

I have created a case number/APC reference number(C1-2992094997) for you.

One more thing that I would like to try, you said you have similar good working UPS, please attach all the loads from the suspected faulty unit, I'd like to see how much we should expect from the unit in addition, please do a pull plug test so we can see the actual runtime as well.

Thank you for the patience.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks as always for your help. I just PM'd you all the info you asked for. I also located my APC order # which is also in the PM.

Cheers,

Brad (celly)