Red flashing power light and a constant beep tone after installing a new battery.

[Anonymous user]

I recently bought a replacement battery for my APC 550 Back Up, but when I went to put the new battery in I get a red flashing light and a constant beeping tone. I unplugged everything from the unit and tried it with nothing else plugged in and it still does it. I put the old battery back in and now the old battery is doing it too. What cold be the problem?

This is the battery I bought to replace the old one.

[Anonymous user]

This sounds like the result of a failed self-test. Perhaps the new battery is unusually depleted or old stock?

I'd try leaving the unit plugged in but turned off (so it won't produce the constant beep tone) with the new battery in place for 24 hours. After that, if you have a DC voltmeter and feel comfortable doing so, disconnect the battery and take a voltage reading. It should be at least 12.8-13 volts by that point and may be slightly higher. If it isn't, I would suspect a possible bad replacement battery. Otherwise, just power the unit on and see if it behaves normally.

[Anonymous user]

Ok I will try that, but what explains that it now still does it when I put the old battery back in it.

[Anonymous user]

Perhaps the old battery has a fault like a shorted cell, which would cause it to be drained of energy very quickly.

[Anonymous user]

Oh ok, so it must have drained very quickly when I unhooked it and now that's why its beeping also.

[Anonymous user]

I left it plugged in for over 24 hours and when I turn it on its till beeping.

[BillP]

Hello Bill, 

The flashing red light and constant tone is indicative of a "replace battery" condition. Normally to clear it, you would need to do self test, which is automatically done whenever the unit is turning off. 

Where did you purchase the battery from? What is the model and serial number? Often, batteries can "dry up" if they sit for more that 6 months without being charged, and would need to be replaced. 

[Anonymous user]

This site's insert link option doesn't work, but I bought the battery on Amazon. The item number is PK1270F1.

[BillP]

The replacement battery for the BE550G is the APCRBC110. We have seen this in units using third part batteries, because the battery does not meet the specifications that the unit is expecting. 

I would recommend using the APCRBC110, turning on the unit with no load over night, then adding load in the morning and running a self test. 

[Anonymous user]

But  would that explain the old battery that came with it is now doing the same thing when I put it back in? It also makes the same noise and flashing light with no battery in it at all when I try to turn it on.

[BillP]

Hi Bill,

I agree with Shannon on the next steps moving forward. To answer your questions about the older battery, is this the original battery and if so, what's the serial number of your UPS? If you have replaced it before, was it a 3rd party battery or an authentic RBC?

Thanks,

Tommy

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Never replaced it before, the old battery is the original battery that came with it.