My APC UPS just went on-battery and then started to...

[FlashG]

emit a sharp odor from the transformer.

I have had my APC 800RT UPS since 1995. Today it went on battery - beeped and the on battery light came on. After about 20 seconds it started to emit a strong odor.

After turning it off, I opened the case and the odor was coming from the transformer. I see no signs of burnt wires or discoloration. The batteries still look good. What do you think I should do?

If the transformer is bad does anyone know where I can get one ASAP so I can resume using the UPS?

Transformer: Class 180, ATC S30, EIA 1035
(4) Batteries: CSB GP 6110 P2, 6V, 11AH

Thanks

 

[Burn]

Burning dust, gotta love that smell. Mmmmm...

 

[FlashG]

"burning dust" I don't think so. This was a sharp "electrical type" odor, not unlike the ozone smell you get from old electric trains. Only much stronger.

 

[FlashG]

Anyone Else?

How can I be sure it's the transformer of not?

Would the old batteries have a roll in this?

Thanks

 

[Zach]

RMA it either way.. whatever it is it's getting too hot, could be the PCB melting or traces beginning to evaporate (so to speak). Next time it might just loose it and there's no point in hanving a UPS if it's prone to fail..

Besides, five years aint a bad stint of time for something like that.

 

[Gunbuster]

Was the stuff you had plugged into it pulling too much power and overheating the transformer?

Did circa 1995 unit have overload warning built in?

 

[Chumprock]

Does it smell like sulfur? strong rotten egg smell?

If so, we encountered this before & ended up with the local Hazmat team in our office.
Ok, it was a bit of overkill for the situation, but they found that the battery was overloading & overheating. Ours got so hot the battery swelled in the case & the pc board charred.

Call APC, they are very good at support & service. Even if your APC isn't under warranty they will still offer some help.

They also give a good discount on trade-ins & battery replacement.

 

[FlashG]

Thanks for all of your replies and suggestions.

APC just returned my e-mail with a 40% RMA offer. Right now I'm deciding on a 500 or 650. My old 850 was way overkill but it did give me excellent service. Got it for about $180 in 1995.

Only problem is that this baby weighs in at 55 lbs. Gonna cost big bucks to ship it back. I wonder if they will let me dispose the batteries locally. They must weigh at least 20 lbs. by themselves. Our garbage recycling company handles Hazardous Mat batteries for no charge so that won't be a problem.

I think my decision NOT to repair it myself is the safest and wisest way to go. There are some pretty large capacitor banks inside that look like they can do some major damage.

 

[Zach]

The batteries might be good, and it could be a short that caused too much current to run thoguh and heat them up... so they might want the batteries for other RMA's.