Is this product refurbished?

[Anonymous user]

I just got the Backups-800 and a couple of things made me wonder if the product was a used/refurbished unit. Here are a couple of pictures.

One is a paper taped to the unit apparently with tests that have been confirmed, the second seems like a sticker that has been removed off a screw, which makes me wonder if the sticker was there to prevent anyone accessing the inside voiding a warranty.

[BillP]

The QA slip taped on looks normal for what we do. Does the serial number on the sticker on the bottom of the unit match the serial number on that paper slip? If a unit has been APC factory refurbished, it will have a Q in its serial number some place. We likely won't be able to tell with 100% certainty of someone else touched the unit before it reached you. Where did you purchase it from? We could validate that it is a reputable reseller/partner of APC. Also, I noticed the unit is from 2013...

I agree with you that the void warranty sticker appears to be missing which doesn't seem right.

[Anonymous user]

I took the unit to the store, they said they would check into it, then they called me back to pick it up, saying the unit hasn't been hampered with, but I still doubt it.  I'll have to check the paper slip when I go pick it up again.

It was purchased by a store in Yerevan, Armenia called X-Art.

[BillP]

Hmm, I went here http://www.apc.com/tools/locator/ and selected Armenia and no partners were listed. You could have your local sales support in Armenia know and see if they can look up partners manually. I have no idea how to personally for the US where I am located, nevermind other countries.

I saw the company's facebook page which appeared legitimate but I can't say for sure.

I don't think this model offers user replacable batteries so maybe someone opened the unit and replaced the battery since it is from 2013? If it was APC, they'd put a new sticker there though.

[Anonymous user]

How often do these batteries need to be replaced?  I would only be using it for a computer and a couple of monitors.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

These are lead acid batteries as you'd typically find in a car. Depending on usage, you can get anywhere from 2-5 years assuming brand new battery. 2 years if you have a lot of power events where the battery is often needed and maybe closer to 4 or 5 years if only lightly used and also kept in an ideal environment (not to hot, well ventilated, etc).

I looked here -> http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BX800CI and it said it is replcable by service center technician only. At your own risk though and if you're comfortable, especially if your UPS falls out of warranty when the battery needs replacing, you could likely replace it yourself. If the unit is in warranty and needs a battery replacement, then you'd want to go through support to avoid voiding any UPS warranty remaining.