Functionality when battery is dead

[Anonymous user]

I've had a 650 VA for almost ten years. The battery is dead. I was thinking of buying a new battery for about $60, but am now considering buying a new unit with more capacity. In the meantime, is my UPS providing protection against surges even though the battery is dead?

Thanks,

Julie

[Anonymous user]

The electronics within UPS tend to last upto 6 years without much problem - therefore it is hard to predict if your current UPS will do the job as it is 10 years old. Also, batteries tend to last from 3 to 5 years depending on the environment (more it cycles onto the battery, less the battery will last). Seems like you have a good run with this UPS! Through the life of this UPS, did you upgrade your computer several times? More than the hardware protection, data protection has become much more important for many computer users these days (digital pictures, digital music, important files, etc.). Having said that, you might want to think aobut upgrading your UPS through APC's Trade-UPS program as batteries and electronics have past its prime life (http://buy.apc.com/commerce/storefronts/tradeups/tradein.aspx?storefrontcode=apcetu&countrycode=US&t...). This program will allow you to tradein your old UPS for a brand new UPS (upto 2x the old UPS VA point) at a discount along with a brand new 2 years warranty on the UPS including the battery. This will give you a peace of mind protecting your computer. Also, many people struggle what to do with old electronics (especially the old battery). Within this program, APC will take back the old UPS (return shipping of old UPS for free) to recycle in an environmental friendly way. Let me know if you have further quesitons. Thaks.

[Anonymous user]

Presumably, you have a Back-UPS 650. That unit has a relative large battery and the runtime is quite good with a new battery. I would personally get a new battery. Reusing is the best form of recycling after all.

To address WikiVA's disposal concerns, many auto parts stores and Batteries Plus stores will accept your dead batteries free of charge for recycling. In fact, in some states, state law requires battery dealers to accept a limited quantity of batteries for recycling even if you don't buy one from them. (http://www.batterycouncil.org/states.html)

The battery in the unit is 12v 12Ah also known as RBC4(RBC3 in older models, but I use RBC4 to directly substitute RBC3 and I have never had a problem), (also UB12120, CSB GP 12120, PS-12120). Batteries Plus has one for $43 with one year warranty or you can shop around online and get one for around $30 shipped.

This is speaking from experience:
If you're only backing up an average home computer setup, your unit has adequate capacity. Your computer + monitor is using about 200W just doing word processing and such. Give your Back-UPS 650 a new battery and it'll gives you about 21 minutes with a new $30 battery. Alternatively, you can spend $125($150 -15% or so discount you'll get when you trade your unit in) on a new BR900 900VA and get 27 minutes.

Message was edited by: KVAr

[Anonymous user]

I've had a 650 VA for almost ten years. The battery is dead. I was thinking of buying a new battery for about $60, but am now considering buying a new unit with more capacity. In the meantime, is my UPS providing protection against surges even though the battery is dead?

Thanks,

Julie

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Mixed bag here. I probably would just replace the battery and be done with it. If the ups appears to be functioning well then why replace it? I have a few older units including a backups 280bc and a 800RT that are over 10+ years old. The 800RT is probably closer to 20 years old. I also have a Clary750 from 1993 and like the others are all going strong. If any one of them fails I will trade them in to Apc for a newer unit. I look at the cost of the consumables (batteries) and on these units the batteries are cheaper to replace. Some ups units have very expensive battery replacements that make replacing the ups instead sensible. Apc will take your old unit(s) back and recycle them prepaid so no fear. To address your other question, I too wondered about this. I have a couple of Back-ups Rs 800 units and one works without the battery and one does not. This does not sit well with me as other ups units seem to work and pass power to the outlets enabling one to continue to work until the battery is replaced. I did not get a clear answer from Apc or the person that I bought this one from. I am not certain but feel the build quality of a lot of these newer units is not up to par with the older all steel models with larger transformers and capacitors. These newer ones seem more throwaway than ever before. Maybe that is why I see tons of refurbished/reconditioned older units for sale.

Message was edited by: radiorara