RS 700 lost charge and won't recharge

[BillP]

I bought a RS 700 around two years ago, and up until recently it has performed admirably, most notably in the big blackout in 2011 (shortly after I got it). Since then, it has protected my computer from several short blackouts, giving me enough time to properly shut it down in case the power stayed off longer and I would need the battery for important things like charging my cellphone.

Recently, however, it hasn't worked right. One day, without warning, my computer shut off, and I noticed that not only was the rest of the house still lit, the UPS's battery light was flashing and empty. I found that odd, since I hadn't unplugged it and it is in a location where it would be hard if not impossible to bump it and unseat something. I put off doing anything about it until today, when I came into my office to find the computer was off when I had left it on the night prior. This would make it the third time the UPS has failed, and I have come to realize that I need to do something about it.

I have tried unplugging and plugging it back in, and so far the battery light still flashes. I also pulled out the battery a little ways and slid it back in. There is no error code, nor is the Replace Battery light on. It just sits there, battery indicator empty and flashing.

I do not know how to calibrate it, nor did I ever install the Powerchute software (whoops).

It is model no. BR700G, serial no. 3B1122X42273.

Is it possible that our building, which seems to have minor power surges sometimes (or at least that's what my marginally-technical guess is; who knows, maybe it's the dimmers this place is filled with (and no, the outlet being used isn't connected to it, or at least it had better not be)), is to blame? Like, did the battery get strained with all the minor surges? That doesn't seem right, though, since that's its job, essentially.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: I should note that the other UPS in the room, an XS 1300, is both older and shows a full charge. It is in the same room but in a different outlet. I'm tempted to switch them, since the computer that is plugged into it isn't in use much right now.

[BillP]

I bought a RS 700 around two years ago, and up until recently it has performed admirably, most notably in the big blackout in 2011 (shortly after I got it). Since then, it has protected my computer from several short blackouts, giving me enough time to properly shut it down in case the power stayed off longer and I would need the battery for important things like charging my cellphone.

Recently, however, it hasn't worked right. One day, without warning, my computer shut off, and I noticed that not only was the rest of the house still lit, the UPS's battery light was flashing and empty. I found that odd, since I hadn't unplugged it and it is in a location where it would be hard if not impossible to bump it and unseat something. I put off doing anything about it until today, when I came into my office to find the computer was off when I had left it on the night prior. This would make it the third time the UPS has failed, and I have come to realize that I need to do something about it.

I have tried unplugging and plugging it back in, and so far the battery light still flashes. I also pulled out the battery a little ways and slid it back in. There is no error code, nor is the Replace Battery light on. It just sits there, battery indicator empty and flashing.

I do not know how to calibrate it, nor did I ever install the Powerchute software (whoops).

It is model no. BR700G, serial no. 3B1122X42273.

Is it possible that our building, which seems to have minor power surges sometimes (or at least that's what my marginally-technical guess is; who knows, maybe it's the dimmers this place is filled with (and no, the outlet being used isn't connected to it, or at least it had better not be)), is to blame? Like, did the battery get strained with all the minor surges? That doesn't seem right, though, since that's its job, essentially.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: I should note that the other UPS in the room, an XS 1300, is both older and shows a full charge. It is in the same room but in a different outlet. I'm tempted to switch them, since the computer that is plugged into it isn't in use much right now.

[BillP]

A flashing empty battery icon accompanied with 1 chirp every 1-2 seconds indicates that the UPS is showing that it fails to detect the internal battery.  You have already done one of the steps and that is to reseat the battery connectors.  By any chance, do you have another BR700G that we can use to swap batteries with?  Also, can you give as an idea on where is this UPS located?  The kind of environment the unit is being used, is it too hot or too cold?  Does it have sufficient space for air circulation?  If the UPS is subjected to higher than normal ambient temperatures, the overall life expectancy of the battery and the UPS internal components will become diminished.

Can you please remove all load from the UPS, plug the unit into good working utility power and allow it to charge for a 24 hour period.  After the 24 hour period, please let us know if the issue persists.  Can you also send me a private message with your contact details?

[BillP]

I do not have another BR700G to swap batteries with, sadly.

The UPS has been on a carpeted floor, in a corner with at least two inches of clearance around all of it and nothing anywhere above it. The room's environmental conditions have been relatively constant, between 68-80 degrees F year-round, and while I don't know the relatively humidity offhand I can say with certainty it's definitely gotten nowhere near 95%. I've had the unit plugged into the wall but with nothing plugged into it for a few days now, and have moved it to a different plug since I saw your post. The battery light continues to flash.

I will PM you with contact details.

[Anonymous user]

Hello! I'm having this exact issue. My unit is less than 2 years old. Was there a solve?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Please contact local support at 800-555-2725 option 2. They will work with you to troubleshoot and if needed provide a replacement unit. 

[jjuly_apc]

Hello.  I had two different models fail recently.  No indications of battery failure, but when I took the batteries to a battery store, they both tested bad under a load.  New batteries solved the problems in both units.  The batteries were just under 2 years old.