APC Smart-UPS problem...

[nvmyz71]

I've got an APC SmartUPS that has worked flawlessly for the past 5 or 6 years. A couple weeks ago, I noticed that my PC would be shut off the next morning.

At first I thought it may be a virus, but ruled that out. Then I thought it was either the power supply or the PC was getting too hot. I was able to rule both of those out... finally I figured out it was the UPS.

For some reason, it will sporadically lose power for a split second and then it comes right back on. It was happening about once every 24 hours. Finally, last night it started happening within the hour.

Any idea what's happening? Is my UPS SOL? I unplugged it and removed it from my setup.

Before you answer, "Is it the battery?"

I'm 99% sure that it's not, because the battery strength meter is registering full on the front of the UPS. When the battery died before the meter would be empty the and the UPS would send off an alarm. Now there's nothing... no alarm... no warning whatsoever.

So what do you think?

 

[Zepper]

Batteries should be replaced after 3 years at most, or on testing as below. I don't doubt that it is one or more of the batteries, as 2 years is the commonly stated battery life for UPS's... Get good brand replacements with current mfr dates - Panasonic et al.
. There is also a charge/discharge cycle rating for the batteries. So if the UPS is actually used frequently (frequent AC power dropouts), then the life can be shortened. Ambient temp is also an important factor. Do a google on- UPS battery life -to see some graphs.
. After you clean the connectors and replace the batteries and charge them fully (with equipment unplugged of course). Plug in an incandescent or halogen lamp (or lamps) (not fluorescent) of at least 1/2 of the UPS's Watt rating and power it up, pull the UPS's plug from the wall and measure the time it takes before the "low battery" alarm kicks in (the one that means "I'm shutting off now!" - not the earlier one).
. Do that once every three months or so and compare the times to know when to get new ones. The length of time may drop off a cliff when new ones are due - but 80% of original capacity is considered "end of life". If it hasn't dropped off much by the end of three years, get new ones anyway.
. Any MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors, solid-state surge suppressing devices) should be replaced at the same time (there are graphs around the web of MOV life based on exposure to pulses at or below their ratings) - or just get a new UPS, whichever is more cost-effective.
. With care like the above, the UPS itself should be able to last about 10 years.
.bh.

 

[RussianSoldier]

An alternative is to simply build your own ups. I think you can buy an inverter for $60 or so (i just used one from an old ups) and daisy chain some car batteries together. Maybe not the best idea if you're powering your domain controller or sensitive data...