How to know when UPS and/or battery needs replaced?

[Anonymous user]

I have the APC CS 500 (BK500BLK) UPS unit and the other day all components connected to this unit lost power. I did not lose power in the house and did not hear the UPS unit beep for any reason. When I looked at the UPS unit, the green "On-Line" light was on, but none of the components had power. I turned the unit off and then back on and the components regained their power.

The unit is probably 5 years and I have never replaced the battery and the "Replace Battery" light has never come on.

Is this an indication that the unit itself is bad and/or that the battery should be replaced even though the "Replace Battery" light has never come on?

Thanks.

[Techie_apc]

Brian,

APC Back UPS CS UPS is designed to perform a self test at start up and every 14 days to check the battery integrity. Typical battery life is three to five years depending on use and environment (temperature). Secondly, the battery normally lose its ability to hold a charge if it is more than three to five years. In order to find if the issue you mentioned lies with the battery or the unit, I would like to gather some more information from you. What are the equipment you have attached to the battery backup outlets? Do you have PCPE software installed on your Computer to manage the UPS? If so, what is the UPS runtime showing on Software? If possible, could you please perform the Self test and check if the unit passes the Self test?

[Anonymous user]

Techie...thanks for your response !

I have the following components connected to the UPS:

Battery backup ports:

• Netgear GS108 8-port Switch


• DELL E173FPc 17" LCD Monitor


• ReadyNAS NV

Surge only ports:

• ReadyNAS PRO


• Dell Dimension 3000


• Dell Dimension 3000

In performing the self-test, I turned the unit off and waited several seconds and turned it back on. The "On-Line" light flashed for a couple seconds and then the "On-Battery" light flashed for a couple seconds, then the "On-Line" flashed again and stayed on. I do not have the PCPE software installed on a computer for I have the ReadyNAS attached to the APC data port.

Thanks again for your help.

[Techie_apc]

Brian,

Thank you for the information. Had the UPS been providing adequate runtime during power failure before? It looks like that the battery in the unit needs to be replaced. Do you have other Identical working unit with good known battery? If so, swap the batteries and check if the unit in question supports the load. This will help us to determine if the issue lies with the battery or the unit.

[Anonymous user]

The unit seemed to be fine previous to the other day. The curious thing is I haven't had a power outage in months yet the components attached to the UPS were all powered off while the "On-Line" light was on.

I don't have a spare battery to swap in, so I guess I'll keep monitoring the UPS and see if I have any other issues.

Thanks so much for your time.

It appears that I should be able to award you points, however I don't see that option when I post?

Sorry, I now see I should have checked "Mark this thread as a question" with my first post in order to award you points.

Message was edited by: needupshelp

[Techie_apc · Accepted solution]

You are welcome Brian!

Secondly, you may have a look at the K-base[titled Equipment connected to a Back-UPS product turns off unexpectedly and/or reboots|http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=20].

Please let us know if you have any question.

Have a nice day!