Backup-UPS 650 (BK650EI) charging, dropping, charging, now appears dead

[BillP]

Can't see my previously purchased APC stuff (GDPR probably) so basic details... this is an old unit, from 2012. Main reason I'm writing here is I get uneasy when I cannot trust an UPS.

Backup-UPS 650
BK650EI
4B1138P13308
Powerchute 3.0.2

Last summer I noticed the battery was usually at 40% or so and never fully charged so I replaced the battery. That should be the end of it, no worries and I didn't test it more than a day at it went up to 100%.

However, during a power cut I noticed my server was down and I started looking at the UPS behaviour. Charged to 100%, dropped down to 70%, always charging according to Powerchute from whatever percentage it was at every time I looked at it. 

Figured the battery was faulty so I took it back under warranty. The new one could even go down to 0%.

After my server crashed a few times, I put in the original one which at least kept working even at that 40% or so. Didn't go up and down but eventually the server crashed again.

Then did the usual stuff you find on the net, disconnect battery, press power for 10 seconds, tested the circuit breaker etc. Could not get the UPS to work properly so it's a gonner I guess. Can get a few beeps out of the second battery so the connectors seem to work even if the charging process might not. Connected everything to the wall and will get a new UPS... when I have time 😞 .

After switching the batteries I'm not even sure which is the new RBC17 and which one is the old one. I'm guessing the new one has RBC17 and a serial of 7A1841L18551 on it? The old one only has 110809V33 on some caution sticker and some padding which I think I remember.

Even if I could get it to work with some magic, there is no trust. So now I sit with possibly two ok or good batteries and no UPS unless I buy one of the two models that use the same battery. 

I noticed there is some "trade in" program which is about the same cost as buying a new one from the shop (if I take a 650 again). Wonder if you can get an additional discount since buying a (now useless) genuine APC replacement isn't cheap? 

Never had an UPS before with apparently failing battery sensors so a bit reluctant getting an APC as replacement. I'm probably curious enough to try and open it up to see if there is some component that clearly has failed.

[Anonymous user]

Your UPS was manufactured in the 38th week of 2011. You are correct that the newer battery is serial #7A1841L18551 (41st week of 2018). The other battery you have is likely original to the UPS and I'd seriously doubt it is any good.

The RBC17 is a 12V, 7 amp-hour battery and those are used in a wide variety of different UPS models from APC (and other vendors). APC likely wouldn't warranty or approve using it another model or brand, but there's nothing to stop you from doing so.

It's APC/Schneider's stance that these units are not intended to be repaired (and certainly not by end users). All of that said, the charging circuit in these units is built around a switchmode power supply controlled by an integrated circuit. There's not a whole lot to go wrong, but portions of this circuitry are directly connected to the AC powerline, making any diagnosis or repair that much more dangerous. (Which it very definitely can be, so don't go poking around unless you fully understand the risks! You alone are responsible for the results of your own actions. If you aren't sure, the only safe thing to do is to replace it with another.)

There are always some number of failures with any mass produced item, and I'd not condemn APC on that basis alone.

[BillP]

I didn't mean I would try and repair it or poke around even with the battery connected, just curious how it looks inside and what components are used... I mean if it's a gonner anyway.

Pretty much guessing I'm trading it in for exactly the same model. Minimum hassle, no need to setup software etc. Can always use the second battery as additional time backup for the freezer if power goes out for a day. That's actually why I want all my UPS units to be 100% regardless if they are in daily use or not.

So, in case I swap the batteries on regular basis (i.e. server maintenance physical downtime schedule), what would be the recommended time between swaps? Aiming at swapping batteries every 3 months probably gives them a longer life span at 80-100% max power than every 12 months?

Finally, I tend to buy equipment based on support available (read: thanks for the reply) and longest guarantee which makes APC a fairly good bet. I just had to use warranty a few years back on another APC unit so I've had my share of Monday units already.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Bought a new UPS (same 650) under Trade-UPS and while returning the original UPS I figured I might as well try to get a response from tech what was the real cause of the problems. So this follow-up post is not a question, just a copy of what I sent off with the package in case anyone in support wants to copy the text. In case I get a reply of what was the cause I'll happily do another follow-up here.

------------------------------

Units in the package:

Original UPS (from 2012, returned here under the Trade-UPS)

Original battery (see 40% below)

Replacement battery 

So here are the events in chronological order, with comments/questions:

Last Summer the original UPS and battery only held charge at around 40% 

Bought a replacement battery and replaced the battery

The replacement did not hold steady at 100% either

Returned the new battery and replaced it, same thing

During a power cut the new battery went down to 0% and stayed dead

As an emergency measure I put in the original 40% battery which at least worked at 40%

Until the next power cut when it died too.

Replaced the UPS, works ok

Tested with the previous replacement battery, which does not charge so it's apparently dead?

All of the above done with 8h+ charging before powering on the units (then another 8h+ before connecting 

anything just in case), pressing power on for 5-10 seconds etc.

So my questions is, does my original UPS destroy batteries or did I happen to get bad replacements? If my original UPS just failed to charge batteries the replacement should have charged fine with the new UPS...