Back-UPS RS 900

[Anonymous user]

Every night before I go to bed I shutdown my computer as usual and then shutdown the power of Back-UPS RS 900 by pressing down the power button on the Back-UPS RS 900 to save the electricity. Is it in order for me to shutdown the power of Back-UPS RS 900? Is there any problem in doing so?

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Hello,

The UPS in this instance is being used as a master on/off switch. This is actually going to hinder the performance of the UPS. Each time you turn the UPS off, it will start to discharge the battery, decreasing its expected life. Therefore, if you continue this, you will probably need to replace the battery before the 3-5 year expected time. I would recommend powering off anything on the battery backup side, however, leave the UPS on to ensure that the battery is fully charged at all times.

[Anonymous user]

The Notorious K.M.P. wrote:
Hello,

The UPS in this instance is being used as a master on/off switch. This is actually going to hinder the performance of the UPS. Each time you turn the UPS off, it will start to discharge the battery, decreasing its expected life. Therefore, if you continue this, you will probably need to replace the battery before the 3-5 year expected time. I would recommend powering off anything on the battery backup side, however, leave the UPS on to ensure that the battery is fully charged at all times.

Kevin,
Is this something unique to this specific model? I'm not familiar with this model, but I have not seen a UPS which the front panel disables the charger. The front panel switch disables the output but the battery charger remains active. The only thing that disables the charging circuit is the circuit breaker, which is put in line with the power input.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

KVar,

What I was getting at is that the UPS is constantly being turned on and off. The UPS needs to be on in order to charge, because of the design. Therefore, if it's being powered off, the battery, which is still connected, will start to discharge, decreasing the life.

Hope that clarifies the confusion.

[Anonymous user]

Kevin,

There is no confusion. Most UPS will begin to charge and continue to charge as long as it is connected to the utility power and the power switch on the front panel bears does not alter the charging process. The charging circuit will hold 2.30v/cell as long as the UPS is plugged into the wall.

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z8L9H_R0_EN.pdf
"The UPS charges battery whenever it is connected to utility"

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z7V73_R0_EN.pdf
Does not state the power need to be on to charge.

Could you provide an APC document stating otherwise?

The original poster stated that he'll be using the front panel switch of his APC Back-UPS, which disables the output. He did not say he'll be terminating power to the UPS input via an external power strip.

[Anonymous user]

Is that so? The RS 900 manual indicates to charge for 8 hours, but nowhere does it say the power needs to be on in order for it to charge.

At least with older Back-UPS, it charged regardless of switch position. If I come across an RS 900, I'l be sure to reverse-engineer it.

The second link I provided is the manual for the Back-UPS RS 900 and it DOES NOT stipulate the operation that you state to be a requirement.

[Anonymous user]

Quote: "leave the UPS on to ensure that the battery is fully charged at all times". I have decided to leave the RS 900 on all the time. BTW what is the consumption of power in doing so?

[EZ_Button_apc]

When the battery is fully charged, it's not more than 10-20 watts.

[Anonymous user]

Is there a standard computation used to determine the power consumption of a UPS?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Every night before I go to bed I shutdown my computer as usual and then shutdown the power of Back-UPS RS 900 by pressing down the power button on the Back-UPS RS 900 to save the electricity. Is it in order for me to shutdown the power of Back-UPS RS 900? Is there any problem in doing so?