Problem with Backup-UPS XS 1200

[Anonymous user]

I have my main computer tower (raid array), modem and router plugged into my Backup-UPS. During the last power outage I noticed the router and modem went out almost right away. I figured battery might be going (it is a few years old) but in playing around, I've noticed the following. When I shut my computer down either manually or via the backup software, after a little over a minute, the UPS starts alternating flashing the green/red (online/replace battery) and then turns off. If I leave my computer on, all seems okay, but then of course with the main computer on, the battery drains quicker. We're a laptop family and would prefer just the modem and router be on to keep an internet connection so I would like the tower to be taken down right away. Any explanation for this? I would replace the battery, but sounds like it could be more than that?

[Techie_apc]

Joe,

What lights are on the front of the UPS when it is plugged in? Serial number of the UPS? What lights are on in the front of the UPS after Power failure? Is there any beep from the UPS when it shut down the modem and router? If possible, perform a self test and check if the unit passes the self test.

The UPS can perform the self test at start up. After pressing the Power on button, you will observe the following events:
1. The green On Line indicator will flash.
2. The yellow On Battery indicator will light while the battery test is performed.

If the UPS passes the Self-Test, the green On Line indicator will be lit and solid. If it fails the test, the red Replace Battery indicator will be lit as well as the green On Line LED.

[Anonymous user]

I think this is a normal behaviour since the three APC UPSes that I have, all do the same thing.

It is known by some people and I'm sure APC engineers know this as well, it's not very healthy to keep computer powersupplies, with no load on itself, powered by pseudo-sinewave. When you keep a computer power supplie powered by a pseudo or a modfied sinewave, with almost no load or no load at all on the PSU, which happens when your turn off your PC and keep the powersupply plugged to the outlet, if you feed it for too long with this type of wave, you may harm the PSU or degrade its lifetime. In this condition the DC voltage at the bulk capacitors inside all computer powersupplies can go over its rated voltage wich is usually 200 ou 400V.

This subject has been throughly discussed a while ago on the forum at www.badcaps.net

Message was edited by: rau

[Anonymous user]

Deleted: double post

[Techie_apc]

Joe,

I presume that you have the Power Chute Personal Edition software installed on your Computer. The Power to the connected equipment will be turned off after the Computer shutdown gracefully by the PCPE software on battery mode. That is the reason the Modem and Router turn off after the PCPE software shutdown your Computer gracefully.

For your information;if the Online and On battery lights are flashing alternatively on battery mode, it indicates that the UPS has entered "sleep mode" where the UPS will turn off its output power in an effort to conserve battery power. The UPS is put into "sleep mode" by the optional PowerChute shutdown software included with your Back-UPS after it has performed a graceful shutdown of your operating system.

Typical battery life is three to five years depending on use and environment (temperature). . Your unit is 4 years old according to the serial number you provided. The battery may not hold charge or runtime will be degraded if the battery is old. Could you please let me know what is the load power consumption in watts showing on software? What is the UPS runtime showing on PCPE software?
With these details, I will be in a better position to tell you whether the problem is with the UPS or the Battery.

[Anonymous user]

The software takes the tower down gracefully. The modem and router are simply plugged in to the UPS as well. I will check to see if the UPS is actually cutting power to these as well before shutting itself off, but that doesn't make any sense to me. The instructions via the personal interface software on the computer are to shut the computer down when the UPS indicates via the USB connection that power is off battery. I don't think the UPC would then cut power to other devices that are plugged into it, ind of defeats the purpose. Bottom line is this used to work and now it doesn't. I used to get a good hour to two hours for the modem and router and now the UPS gives up and shuts down while there is still battery left. I don't know what the load is but the run time is about 30 minutes. I think the battery whileold, has life left as I ran for a good ten minutes with the tower plugged in. Turn off the tower and the UPS freaks and turns off.

RAU - are you saying your UPS will shut off when the main load on it is shut down, that is the computer, even though there are two devices still plugged in to the UPS, the modem and the router?

[Techie_apc]

Joe,

The UPS will cut power to its battery backup outlets after the Computer has been shutdown gracefully by the Power Chute software.

You may perform the following tests to see what is going with the UPS.

1. Make sure that the battery is charged fully and the runtime is adequate enough to run the connected equipment on battery.
2. Stimulate a Power failure by unplugging the UPS from the wall
3. Check how long the UPS runs the Computer on battery mode
4. And then the PCPE software will shutdown the Computer gracefully when the UPS reaches configured shutdown X min on battery(See the PCPE Power Strategy settings;Configuration-Runtime)
5. The Power to the outlets will be turned off once the Computer shutdown gracefully

[Anonymous user]

Well your first statement answered the question then. So the UPS knows the computer went into hibernation and then turns itself off? Seems silly actually but I swear I thought this worked. Once the computer and the UPS is off, can I turn the UPS back on again to power the modem and wireless router? Of course I can try this at home, just wondering out loud.

[Techie_apc]

Yes, you can turn the UPS back on again to power the modem and wireless router.

I would shutdown the Computer manually when the UPS on battery mode so that the power will be provided to the remaining equipment till the unit reaches low battery condition. You will need to uninstall the Power Chute software and configure the [USB native support|http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2497].

[Anonymous user]

"RAU - are you saying your UPS will shut off when the main load on it is shut down, that is the computer, even though there are two devices still plugged in to the UPS, the modem and the router?"

Answer:

Only if Powerchute commands hibermation, but let's say the power goes out and I manually shut down my PC, then the UPS stays on, powering my modem and wireless router until the battery gets depleted.

If the powerchute software commands hibernation, then a minute later or so, the UPS turns itself off and starts flashing its green and red LED even if the battery is still partially charged.

[Anonymous user]

This looks perfect, thanx so much.

[Anonymous user]

Thanx - when running I have the green light. Serial number is JB0525021467. With a power failure, the yellow light comes on (on battery). I believe the UPS was beeping as it switched back and forth from the green and red lights. It lasted about 10-15 seconds then the UPS went blank (off). I've run the self test from the application and I assume it also ran when I had to use the button to turn the UPS back on after it turned off. It passed the self test.

Everything seems great until the tower which is the biggest power draw is turned off. Almost seems like the UPS doesn't like the change in the amperage draw (lower) when the tower gets turned off.

[Techie_apc · Accepted solution]

You are welcome!

Please let us know if you have any further question. Have a nice day!