bulging battery tops = serious failure?

[jeepster_apc]

I have checked a batch of APC UPS that were fitted with Panasonic sealed batteries. I noticed 2 of them had bulging tops. These units would not last long on battery, so I presume they are well and truly defective. There are some others that also don't hold charge, without any bulge. I am curious how common is it to see bulging batteries?

[BillP]

It used to be quite common years ago.
More often than not is was in UPS that running in a forgotten network closet. The battery light would have been on for years. Temperature, overcharging and time have lead to your swollen batteries. They're due for replacement.

[Anonymous user]

life time for battery is 3 to 5 years

you have to chick for Temperature  for room

and every 6 mouths make calibration for ups if you have management cart  or let ups work in battery if you don't have  management cart .

[BillP]

Hi, you must open the equipment and remove the rivets,then remove batteries...remember mfitzsimmons: More often than not is was in UPS that running in a forgotten network closet. The battery light would have been on for years. Temperature, overcharging and time have lead to your swollen batteries. They're due for replacement.

Always, check batteries every six months, voltage, temperature. For the end, put rivets again

[jeepster_apc · Accepted solution]

Late followup: I had another brand of UPS, in which the batteries sit in a cradle that is rather thin. And it had old batteries and one of them bulged out. So the cradle flexes out and jams firmly inside the battery cavity, which is made of sturdy metal.  Result is that you can not remove the battery cradle without breaking it.