Back-Ups XS 1000 Now Has Battery Time < 1 min

[Anonymous user]

My Back-Ups XS 1000 has been behaving weirdly in the past few months as I could often hear a relay clicking once every minute or so with input voltage being low <100V, but not below the set limit, but besides that everything seemed fine without indication that it was going on battery. But now PowerChute shows that the battery time is < 1 minute even though the battery charge is at 100% (and it really is < 1 minute, as confirmed by unplugging it from the outlet). The device passes self-test, the load on it reads about only 100 watts, the batteries are perhaps two years old but there is no indication of them needing replacement. Thoughts? Thanks.

[BillP]

Hi,

What is the serial number of the unit and have you checked the battery voltage with a multimeter? What your are describing sounds like a bad battery pack. A good set of batteries should read around 26-27 volts DC. 

[Anonymous user]

Hi, Bill. Thanks for the quick response. My unit is a BX1000, S/NJB0348030468. I checked the battery pack, and it was reading just about 27 volts at 100% "remaining battery charge", so apparently good. But then just for fun, I started a self-test, and as soon as it went on battery power the "remaining battery charge" dropped like a rock until the computer failed, less than 30 seconds later (I had cancelled hibernation). So I really had "< 1 min" capacity from the battery. I then measured the battery pack voltage, and it was 24.7 volts. Not sure what % charge 24.7 volts means but it's got to be well below 50%. I guess discharging both batteries by 50% on only 110W consumption over 30 seconds on a BX1000 does point to a battery problem. Thoughts?

[BillP]

Hi,

The description points to bad battery and the UPS is 14 years old. When was the last time the battery was replaced? You can replace the battery but I recommend replacing the unit due to the age. 

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

14 years old? Time sure flies... Anyways, just bought new batteries, the old ones being a bit over three years old, ran a self-test and it was back to normal while running on the batteries. So it's all good. I guess in three years or so when these batteries start showing their age I'll get myself a replacement UPS. But all of this being said, this is undoubtedly a good testimony to the durability and reliability of your products. In 14 years this UPS has had connected to it 4 generations of computers, at least 6 different monitors from 15" CRTs to 27" LED ones, three different file servers and too many printers to remember. Well done. Thanks again for your help. Phil.