"Replace Battery" and annoying beeping on APC Back-UPS XS 1200

[Anonymous user]

I took my office apart to have new flooring installed and two days later put it back together, including plugging things back into my APC. Now, the red "Replace Battery" light stays on constantly and every half hour or so I get 15 seconds of loud annoying beeping.

Any way to find out what the problem is? It worked fine before unplugging everything and then plugging it back in. At the very least, I'd like to stop the beeping. I understand APC is just trying to give me a warning, but they should give me a way to turn off the warning - these things go in people's offices!

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

I did that, and had purchased already 2 new original batteries and did not work with my LS 500, stayed almost an hour with tech support and the beep doesn't stop.
What else am I missing in this picture?

[Techie_apc · Accepted solution]

Dear Robert,

Could you please let me know the exact Model and Serial number of the UPS? You can find these details on a white bar code sticker at the rear of the unit. What lights are on the front of the UPS when it is beeping? Is the Replace Battery Light flashing or Solid?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

For those of you recommending sabotaging your hardware, there is a better solution. Similar to DânielFraga's idea above, I found that using the apctest utility on Linux (part of the apcupsd package on Ubuntu) there is a simple menu where you can enable/disable all UPS alarms. You only have to do this once, and the change will remain in effect regardless of reboots, operating system changes, etc. so it's permanent (in the good sense) but reversible (you can always run the utility again after you fix the problem with your batteries or if you change your mind). This worked great on my APC Smart-UPS 750i.

For those not using Linux, I'll just add that nowadays you can easily boot Linux from a USB flash drive or CD which you can create even from Windows, for example with an Ubuntu LiveCD (or LiveUSB). This doesn't make any permanent changes to your computer or Windows/Mac installation. You then boot into Linux, install the apcupsd package, change a couple of settings in the configuration file (/etc/apcupsd/apcupsd.conf) to specify your particular UPS model and connection type (USB or serial), and run apctest to disable the alarm. The whole process can take a few minutes if you know what you're doing, and even if you don't, probably less than the time it would take to open up your UPS and destroy its speaker.

Good luck!

[Anonymous user]

Superglue is your friend

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

You should only be receiving a notification of a replace battery for one minute every five hours. I would recommend disconnecting all equipment from the UPS at the end of the day, and allow the UPS to remain on overnight, to receive a full charge. At that point, depress the test button for 10 seconds, and that will initiate a self-test. That should clear the replace battery LED and audible tone. If not, the battery would need replacing.

[Anonymous user]

Wow, thank you! I'll try that tonight.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Hello,

The only way to stop the audible tone altogether would be to install the PowerChute Personal Edition software and select "disable battery backup alarms at all times" in the Notification section of the software.

[tomf_apc]

hello, i have two APC UPS devices (both are Back-UPS RS 1000).

i also recently started hearing that one-minute long series of rapid beeps from one of the units, every 5 hours or so (it's quite annoying).

so after searching this forum and reading the above post, i was hopeful about turning off the beeping. i downloaded the latest PowerChute v1.3.4 for OS X, installed it, connected the USB cable, it recognized the UPS... all good, except there is no 'notification section' displayed anywhere in this system preference extension.

am i missing something? or is the software missing something...? 😞

Message was edited by: tomf

[BillP]

unfortunately, Powerchute for OS X doesnt have the ability to mute alarms. Only the windows version does. 😞

i dont believe you can disable the replace battery alarm though because its trying to tell you it needs a replacement battery. if you muted it, you would potentially never find out you had a bad battery if you didnt look at the UPS until it was too late.

[tomf_apc · Accepted solution]

can this missing feature in the OS X version of PowerChute be officially confirmed by anyone from APC?

and if my only option is to borrow a Windows PC to mute the alarm, then will that setting remain in effect even after i disconnect the PC afterwards?

PS. i agree, muting the alarm all the time would prevent you from knowing your battery needs replacement... but now that i already know it needs replacement, i want to mute the alarm... i do not need a reminder every 5 hours (i sleep here too, so the beeping currently wakes me up 2x per night).

[BillP]

i work for APC. i can confirm the OS X software not being able to do that.

yes, the setting will remain.

yes i understand you not wanting to wake up. but again like i said, i am 99% sure that is the one audible alarm you cannot mute.

[voidstar_apc]

You could always remove the UPS until you procure a replacement battery. A weak battery might not being doing much for you as-is.

[Anonymous user]

The Battery in my Smart-UPS, SUA1000 was replaced less than one year ago however the light configuration showes full charge, all gree lights, yet the red replace battery light is on and the it beeps periodicaly for about 1 minuet. I removed the battery and had it tested and it came out good, no need to replace. What is wrong and how can I stop the beeping.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

rwehmer,

Assuming you have already tried running a self test, you can try a manual run time calibration to reset the unit.

Perform a Runtime Calibration. This is a manual procedure and should not be confused with the runtime calibration performed through PowerChute software. The batteries inside of the Smart-UPS are controlled by a microprocessor within the UPS. Sometimes it is necessary to reset this microprocessor, especially after the installation of new batteries. Stop the PowerChute software from running and disconnect the serial cable. There must be at least a 30% load attached to the UPS during this procedure, and this load cannot fluctuate more than +/- 5%. This process will cause the UPS to shut off and cut power to its outlets, therefore, attach a non-critical load to the UPS and then force the UPS on battery by disconnecting it from utility power. Allow the unit to run on battery until it turns off completely. Make sure a 30% load is present! Plug the UPS back into the wall outlet and allow it to recharge.

I find that helps when an automatic self test will not. Do NOT run this manual test if you do not have to, it only reduces the life span of the battery, so avoid it if you can.

There is some more information available here [http://www.refurbups.com/KB-QA-UPS-Smartups]

[Anonymous user]

I permanently silenced the beeper in a model ES350G by opening up the unit and applying a small dab of epoxy glue into the small hole on top of the beeper (small black component with hole on top) - may also work with silicon sealant (FIRST UNPLUG UNIT AND REMOVE BATTERY)

Message was edited by: blainep

[Anonymous user]

I have the same problem with the apc "marketing" and will never buy it's products again.

[BillP]

If you still need help please call apc at 1-800-555-2725

[Anonymous user]

blaine, thanks for your hint. I created this account just to thank you. I went further and instead of covering the buzzer I roughly broken the circuit that powers the buzzer, so no need to open the motherboard to reach it, just opened the cover.
cheers

[franc_apc]

I am dissapointed from APC, my battery in my Smart-UPS SC620 is 1.5 years old and since more than a month I get these alarms and errors.

The support used to be good, there was a support system under: emea-de.apc.com which stopped now, I guess, the site is off.

I have now the three possibilities:

-buy a new battery (surely not from APC) for about 40 EUR
-open the device and stop the beeper by force like some others here (my favorite)
-buy a new UPS without this annoying, unstoppable beepfack (surely not from APC)

frank

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Nikita,

What does the blinking red light says, is it Replace Battery or Overload?

[Anonymous user]

hi can someone plzz help me what to do my apc back ups is constantly shutting down causing my computer to cut off. when i put the apc back on there is a constant blinking red light but no sound. what does it mean? do i have to change the battery or something? help plz!!!!!!

[BillP]

I have the same exact no break as "Vee" and I was able to disable the beeper using NUPS in Linux:

upscmd apc beeper.disable

I don't understand why Powerchute would prevent you from doing that. Anyway, just my 2 cents.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Is there any way to simply stop the audible tone? The battery may need replacing, but I'm not going to do it, and I don't want to hear that noise all the time any more.

[Anonymous user]

I took my office apart to have new flooring installed and two days later put it back together, including plugging things back into my APC. Now, the red "Replace Battery" light stays on constantly and every half hour or so I get 15 seconds of loud annoying beeping.

Any way to find out what the problem is? It worked fine before unplugging everything and then plugging it back in. At the very least, I'd like to stop the beeping. I understand APC is just trying to give me a warning, but they should give me a way to turn off the warning - these things go in people's offices!