Devices connected to old (tan) APC Back-UPS 650 turn off for no reason

Anonymous user · ‎2021-06-29

This is my first post...

I have a super old UPS (the old big tan colored units). I have an Mac Mini, a 24" flat screen monitor and 2 external drives connected to it. Recently we noticed that the devices would just turn off. No beep indication from the UPS. I assumed it needed a new battery, since to one I had in there was 4 years old. Replaced it and the problem persists. I guess the unit is bad? I can still return the battery for a full refund ($50). I ordered another (newer model - APC BR1000G Back-UPS Pro 1000) to replace it.

I'm just wondering, is this thing dead? Should I just send it to the recycle grave yard? I love these old units. I have another one on my iMac. I just hope the new BR1000G will be as good. I worry about newer stuff being made cheaper (quality control). Can anyone talk me off the ledge? 🙂

Also, will I be able to monitor from my mac mini, and shut it down when the power fails? I am running Snow Leopard still. I hear the power shoot software doesn't work well with macs. If I can shut it down, will it then turn off the beeping sound on the unit?

Thanks

Message was edited by: Alfredo Jahn - I'm attaching a picture that looks like the unit I currently own.

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Hello - welcome!

The first thing I would do with the older UPS is test it with something basic like a lamp or radio or something you can easily see if it stays on or not. Remove all your critical items from the UPS and then plug the test item into one of the battery backup outlets. Then, as long as the battery has been connected for over 24 hours now charging, just unplug the UPS and see what happens with the test item. It is possible the unit entirely could've failed and that would be my first test in seeing if it works with something basic. Usually, if it's overloaded, you'd hear beeping and likely it would be after you added more items to the UPS. When you do this test, see if the UPS turns off too or just the equipment.

The BR1000G is one of the higher end models. It does have a nice LCD and some new energy management options. The new UPS models come with a three year warranty on both the UPS and battery. I have one myself and its a nice medium size. If you have any questions or concerns with it, we can help answer those.

We don't have good support for PowerChute on Mac to be completely honest. You have a few options - use native Mac OS support which when you connect your UPS via USB, will be accessible under Energy Saver in System Preferences or more full featured is an open source solution apcupsd. It has great Linux and Unix based OS support, although, I am not sure what the Snow Leopard support is. The website is apcupsd | A daemon for controlling APC UPSes if you want to check it out.

Hope this helps!

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-06-29

Hello - welcome!

The first thing I would do with the older UPS is test it with something basic like a lamp or radio or something you can easily see if it stays on or not. Remove all your critical items from the UPS and then plug the test item into one of the battery backup outlets. Then, as long as the battery has been connected for over 24 hours now charging, just unplug the UPS and see what happens with the test item. It is possible the unit entirely could've failed and that would be my first test in seeing if it works with something basic. Usually, if it's overloaded, you'd hear beeping and likely it would be after you added more items to the UPS. When you do this test, see if the UPS turns off too or just the equipment.

The BR1000G is one of the higher end models. It does have a nice LCD and some new energy management options. The new UPS models come with a three year warranty on both the UPS and battery. I have one myself and its a nice medium size. If you have any questions or concerns with it, we can help answer those.

We don't have good support for PowerChute on Mac to be completely honest. You have a few options - use native Mac OS support which when you connect your UPS via USB, will be accessible under Energy Saver in System Preferences or more full featured is an open source solution apcupsd. It has great Linux and Unix based OS support, although, I am not sure what the Snow Leopard support is. The website is apcupsd | A daemon for controlling APC UPSes if you want to check it out.

Hope this helps!