Backup UPS 1300 self test drains battery

[Anonymous user]

Battery in Backup UPS 1300 goes from 100% to about half that after self test, even though readout says the device passed the self test. It takes several hours for battery to get back to 100%. I first realized that there was a problem with the unit when alarm went off, with message that the device was overloaded. Only have tiny load on device, so not sure what triggered the alarm other than, perhaps, an automatic self test. Battery is several years old and due for replacement. My concern is that there may be another problem with the unit and that a new battery is not the proper fix. In short: is the drop-off in charge after a self test a normal occurrence for a aged/weak battery or could there be another problem with the UPS? Thanks.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Everything sounds strictly like "old battery" beyond the mysterious overload message. When the battery percentage drops a lot during the self test, yes this is typically a sign of the battery aging and losing its overall capacity.

Did you see the UPS is overload message on the front LCD screen or where specifically? Did the UPS turn it's output off after this or did it pop and go away quickly and that's it?

And by "several" years old - how many years? 3-5?

I can't be 100% sure as with many of the issues and specific symptoms but there is nothing you've said so far that would not make me think a battery is the right option at this time. If you're worried though, you always have the UPS Trade UPS option to trade the UPS in, even with a bad battery, and get a discount on a new one with a new warranty on both the UPS and battery. Let me know if you want further details.