Replaced battery but light still on and beeps after reset - SC1500

[Anonymous user]

I have a SC1500 tower, and have just replaced the battery (old batteries were from 12/2006). The battery replace light had come on last week and it was beeping every 5 hours. I ordered replacement batteries and have done a hot swap, but now, even after a POST, the replace battery light stays on and the unit beeps every ~2 secs for about ~3 secs.

I unplugged the new battery, plugged in the old, and did a POST, and the replace battery light turns off, and appears everything is fine. (Hmm, why didn't I try that before I ordered new batteries). Plug back in the new batteries and do a POST, and it keeps beeping and the replace battery light STILL on. Do the new batteries need to be charged?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

I have a SC1500 tower, and have just replaced the battery (old batteries were from 12/2006). The battery replace light had come on last week and it was beeping every 5 hours. I ordered replacement batteries and have done a hot swap, but now, even after a POST, the replace battery light stays on and the unit beeps every ~2 secs for about ~3 secs.

I unplugged the new battery, plugged in the old, and did a POST, and the replace battery light turns off, and appears everything is fine. (Hmm, why didn't I try that before I ordered new batteries). Plug back in the new batteries and do a POST, and it keeps beeping and the replace battery light STILL on. Do the new batteries need to be charged?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hello Mary,

To start with, did you replace it with an APC battery? Do you have an APC software (PowerChute Business Edition) installed on your computer? If you do, have you tried updating the battery replacement date on it?

If it is an APC battery, can you tell us what is the serial number on it?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

The battery was ordered from PC Connection, and appears to be a genuine APC battery. The box is from APC, the battery is stamped with APC logos and there are stickers declaring the battery Genuine APC, there is also a return address sticker in the box for recycling. The model and serial number are RBC59, 3A0935X01914. I have not installed the PowerChute software on the computer to which the SC1500 is attached.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Mary,

If your IT deparment would allow it, I suggest that we install PowerChute Business Edition on one of your machines and then let us view the event and data logs on it to see what is going on with the UPS. Also after installing it, let us update the Last Battery Replacement date on it.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Not a problem, I have a CD with PowerChute Business Edition Basic, from 2005. Use that, or is there another version I should be using - how do you want to proceed?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Mary,

I highly recommend that you download our PowerChute Business Edition 8.0.1 - Single Node Agent from our website and then install it on your machine. Please check our [PCBE Compatibility Chart|http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z5QEV_R13_EN.pdf] to ensure that your operating system is supported.

Once you have installed the Agent, please login on the web interface and check the battery replacement date. Click on the Smart-UPS menu and then Configure to view the Battery Replacement option.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

I downloaded and installed PCBE 8.0.1, and have connected to SC1500. Changing the battery replacement date did not do anything after plugging in the new battery. However, the POST test message says it failed due to overload (although the overload light never came on). When I plug back in the old battery, the POST test succeeds. Both batteries report a voltage of 26.8 volts. It doesn't seem to change from the old to the new.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Are the batteries bad? Should I return them?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Mary,

Sorry for the late reply, would it be possible for you to paste the event logs captured by PowerChute software?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Mary,

I'm not sure if you have done this already but your response is greatly appreciated. After installing the new battery, was it left connected for at least 24 hours to fully recharge? Have you done a self-test after charging the new battery for a day? If you have not done this already please follow the steps outlined below.

+ Install the new battery and let it charge for 24 hours.
+ After 24 hours, press and hold the Test(On/Off) button of the UPS until the unit does a self-test. This can also be done by using our software.
+ Please observe the unit's behavior while you are doing a self-test and then paste the event logs of PowerChute here.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

I have not left the new battery plugged in for 24 hours yet. I will do that before I leave tonight, as it beeps for 2 seconds, pauses, beeps 2 seconds, continously, and I don't think too many people want to hear that all afternoon. When I did plug in the new battery, the Replace Battery light was flashing. I will paste the event log here in 24 hours. Thanks for your help so far.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Mary,

Thank you for giving us an update. If after 24 hours of charging the new battery and you have done what I've told you above and the SC1500 still has the flashing replace battery the UPS is not detecting the new battery. A flashing replace battery LED indicator on a UPS is what do we call as a Battery Disconnect issue.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Good day Mary,

I already requested for a replacement for your faulty battery. Please feel free to contact us if you have any problems.

JonPro

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

So, I left the battery plugged in for 24 hours. It just kept beeping and the replace battery light is still flashing. I have a second SC1500, and I plugged the battery into that one. It too just kept beeping and the replace battery light kept flashing. The self-test reported that no battery was detected. I presume it is a bad battery and I should return it to PC Connection?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Yes, that is correct, actually, I do not know that the batteries ever charged since the replace battery light stayed on and the SC1500 continued to beep the whole time the new battery pack was plugged in. The old batteries are working fine.

Message was edited by: mmhst

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Mary,

Thank you very much for getting back to us. Based from the test that you have conducted and the results that we have gathered, it just confirms that the battery that you have there are faulty. I will be more than happy to send a replacement battery if you like. I will be e-mailing about the requirements before we send a replacement battery.

I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you and appreciate all of your help.

Thanks,

JonPro

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Yes, that would be much appreciated. Would I just be sending the faulty new battery to the address on the UPS sticker (APC/Fortune Battery Disposal, NJ)?
The battery I have is the RBC59, 12v 7.2Ah.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

I just e-mailed you the details that we need in order to process the replacement. I used the e-mail that was on your profile, please reply back on that e-mail and we'll be putting in an order once it's all complete.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Many UPSs are unable to detect true overload from an under voltage caused by deteriorated batteries. When batteries deteriorate, two things can happen. Separately, or together.

Reduction in capacity: this results in a reduced run time.
Increase in internal resistance: this causes voltage to plummet under load and cause the UPS to think it was overloaded. If you don't get overload with no load(if you're able to remove load or try in another unloaded UPS) but overload indicator comes on well below the rated capacity, it's likely that you've a bad pack.

SLA batteries need maintenance in storage or they will be damaged. They can be stored for many years if they're given proper top off charge regularly. If allowed to sit in discharged conditions, they're done.

Vendors usually don't touch the batteries. I don't know how to read battery serial numbers, but APC should be able to tell you the manufacturing date. It should be no older than a year AT MOST. Otherwise, they likely died in the warehouse.

For future reference, don't buy from vendors with poor product turn over. If your particular type of battery doesn't have a good product turnover, order directly from APC, even if it may cost you a little more or find a dependable UPS service company to rebuild your pack with known fresh batteries.

[Techie_apc]

In addition to what JonPro said, could you please let us know the status of the Replace Battery Light? Is the Replace Battery Light flashing or Solid?