Event F01 then battery icon blinking

[Anonymous user]

This morning I found my BR1000G emitting a continuous tone and showing F01 in its display.

I turned it off, then turned it on again, and now everything looks normal, except the battery icon is empty and blinking. It has been like that for 12 hours now.

Do I need a new battery? The "replace battery" icon hasn't lit up. 

How can I test to make sure the battery is the culprit here? It wouldn't be nice to replace the battery only to find out that the unit has a problem.

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi Chris,

The F01 error indicates there was too much connected to the unit when it transferred to battery and as a result, turned the load off. The blinking battery icon is indicating the unit does not detect the internal battery. This is likely due to the battery voltage being less than necessary for the UPS to detect it, which is about 10.5vdc. Although the unit doesn't show Replace Battery, I would lean towards that being the issue. 

Do you know how old the unit is? Maybe you can provide the serial number.

Secret Squirrel

[Anonymous user]

Thank you for your answer. I removed the battery and tested it with a multimeter, it showed 22.8 (200V range).

But then I reseated the battery and the same problem happens. It just blinks.

Unit's serial number is 3b1027x12553

I have found a number in the battery too, don't know if it says anything: AP 8854462-001

Thank you!

[BillP]

I just happened upon the forums - it's been a long time.

Your device was manufactured in the middle of 2010, and now is just past the end of normal battery life.

APC has trained its partners (and MSPs like me) to recite the following mantra:  3-5-7!

Meaning - sell the extended the warranty before 3 years, sell the replacement battery before 5 years, and sell a new unit by doing a Trade-UPS before 7 years.

I don't know your circumstances, but would suggest replacing the device, as opposed to just the battery.  Trade-UPS affords you a discount on the new unit and free recycling of the old device.

Warranty check page: https://www.apc.com/site/support/us/en/warranty-services/ups-factory-warranty-status/

Trade-UPS page: http://www.apc.com/shop/tradeups/us/en/tradeups/overview.jsp

[Anonymous user]

Thank you for your input.

Sounds like the unit has been around for a while then - I couldn't remember when I bought it. But the Trade-UPS program doesn't seem as attractive as it used to be - in fact the discounts are not significant. I may try a cheap battery just to make sure the unit works, and if it does, I'll go for on original one.

Thanks!

[BillP]

As far as I know, the program offering hasn't changed in years, but here's the current information.

About the Trade-UPS Program

The APC Trade-UPS Program gives you:

• Up to a 25% discount on new APC UPS(s)
  The APC Trade-UPS program* is a cost-effective way to upgrade your existing units and protect your latest investment. Trade in any UPS, regardless of its manufacturer or its working condition, for the latest APC UPS technology and receive up to a 25% discount on your new purchase.*** The Trade-UPS program is currently available in the United States, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden.** This program is applicable for original equipment owners only.
• Up to a 25% discount on APC accessories
  As a benefit to our customers, now you can also buy additional APC accessories at a significant discount, if purchased along with your Trade-UPS.
• Upgrade to four times the VA of your current UPS capacity
  Trade in up to 4X the VA of your current UPS capacity or trade in two UPSs for one larger unit.
• Up to a 3 year factory warranty on new units
• Free removal and/or shipping of existing units
  Order new units today and receive free return shipping of your retired units back to APC. APC will also pay to have larger UPSs picked up and returned.* *Applicable only to defined easy access areas
• Proper ecological disposal of returned UPSs and batteries for free
  All old units, including hazardous UPS batteries, returned to APC will then be properly and ecologically disposed of according to Environmental Protection Agency standards (a $5 to $500 value depending on the UPS).

All that being said, the "up to" phrase is the variant.  As case in point: the savings on a BE750G isn't very much, but it is a considerable savings on something like an SMT1500.  The fact that I can ship the old unit off for free is worth a lot.  

I use this program all the time and the overall savings I achieve is worth it.