ES-550 issue

[Anonymous user]

I have a very lightly loaded ES-550 (it holds up my analog phone system, voicemail and DSL bridge in my office) model number BE550G, serial number 3B0810X65992.  It's a little older (circa 2006) and has been through two batteries since that time, the last in August of 2016.  Recently it just "died" for lack of a better word - refusing to supply power on the back-up side.  There was no indication prior to that and it will not power up now.  Holding the button down only results in a couple of beeps before it turns itself off again.  The battery voltage appears to be ok.  No odors or smoke were released.  Is the unit just dead or is there a solution here?  Thanks.

[BillP]

Hi CJ,

Its likely that the unit is at its end of life, your unit is about 9 years old, based on the serial number, and the expected life span is 7-10 years.  The unit should be able to turn even with a bad battery, and especially with you very recently getting a new battery, its very unlikely that its bad anyway. I would recommend replacing the unit, but in the mean time you should be able to get power on the surge only outlets. 

[BillP]

What exactly can go "bad" on the unit other than the battery? I am not an electrician or anything but that's like saying a flashlight can go bad (other than the bulb that is). There are some switches I guess but they are rarely "used" so does nt seem they would wear out. Perhaps there is much more than I understand but sure seems like higher tech than a battery backup does not just go "bad", obsolete perhaps, but not 'bad". 

[voidstar_apc · Accepted solution]

In units without a fan, capacitors are most likely to fail first because liquid electrolytes evaporate over time. Also, UPSes contain MOVs which protect against electrical surges -- surges degrade the MOVs and they eventually fail.

I expect electronics to last ~10 years on average, and moving parts to fail sooner.