UPS Dosnt Use Battery Backup: Drops Comp

[NotSoSimple]

Ive got a APC Pro 420 (420watt) with my toer and a monitor plugged into it. The indicator lights on it say its fine, and Ive never had any problems with it. I do not have the serial cable plugged in eaither my computer or the UPS, and the software (PowerChute) is not installed.

I just had a power surge and my computer and monitor that was plugged into the UPS (The black 'Battery Backup' plugs, I made sure) just shut off! The UPS beeped once and then my comp shut off. Luckily, no damage occured.

How can I prevent this? Battery dead? Need to be recharged? I dont wanna lose my comp! Heeeelp!

 

[johnjkr1]

You have to install the software and connect it to the pc.

 

[Venomous]

The software shoould only be used to monitor the battery level and send the shutdown command to the conputer. He shoud still have power during a power outage. Seems as though your battery is dead or overloaded. Install the monitoring software and cable to check the status of the battery level.

 

[zephyrprime]

The software is good for orderly shutdown but the UPS should still have worked in his situation. Sounds to me like the thing is just busted. May not even be the batteries. Test the thing out on a TV or hair dryer.

 

[ViRGE]

A UPS is still a surge protector in part; there should be a button somewhere to reset the tripped breaker/fuse-thingy.

 

[xenos500]

Originally posted by: johnjkr1
You have to install the software and connect it to the pc.

No, you dont


Why are you so sure you had a power 'surge' ?

 

[corkyg]

Right - the software is not necessary at all for battery backup. The battery has to be charged fully before use - or use it and gamble that it will not be needed for a few days. It takes a good full day to charge the backup battery. I have three UPS devices - a 650 VA one that has been working perfectly (Tripplite) for over 3 years now - maybe 4. It has caught many a power hiccup. I use a small one on my cable Internet modem - that keeps it from having to be reset whenever we have apower flicker. But - the software is only needed for automatic shutdown in the event of a power blurp.

BTW - kost UPS's are measure in V/A not Watts. 420 is pretty skimpy - I would not connect the monitor to it - just the CPU.

 

[dwendel]

Hi,
APC also has a excellent website with common problems answered. Your problem falls into one of the 2 areas already mentioned: Overloaded battery or dead battery. The APC site details procedure for checking for a dead battery and if that is verified better prices can usually be found at your local Interstate Battery Retail store.


Don

 

[TwoBills]

Did you hook up the battery terminal inside the UPS?

 

[mechBgon]

FYI, the BackUPS Pro 420 isn't 420 watts, it's 420VA. Its load rating is 260 watts. You may simply have overloaded it. What-all is it trying to run? and don't forget the monitor.

 

[NotSoSimple]

(1) 17" Monitor
And my PC:
P4 2.4C HyperThreading
Enermax 460watt
(2) Optical Drives
(2) Hard Drives (160gb and 60GB)
(3) 80mm Fans
(2) CCFLs
GeForce FX5700 Ultra

So its rated to 260watts huh. Pretty skimpy...I got the UPS from a friend as payment for a favor. Dont know if the battery is connected or what! I will check right now though.

 

[mechBgon]

You could test it by running just your monitor from it. Unplug the UPS and see if it continues to run your monitor while emitting a periodic alert beep. Good luck!

 

[NotSoSimple]

Ok well I just read up on APC's Knowledge Base. I must be an idiot tonight because I cannot find out how to test to see if my battery is crap.

Also I found out that it is discontinued. ALSO: The software that I need is:
PowerChute Business Edition Deluxe - Part Number: AP9411

Well I cant find it to download. Soooo am I screwed? Ill do the monitor test thingy in a minute. I need to do some things for work first.

 

[mechBgon]

I use a BackUPS Pro 1000VA at work with no PowerChute software or serial cable (mine didn't come with it ). It still works, it just can't save my documents and shut the computer down unattended, nor can it log power events on the PC. Judging by the PowerChute logs on our servers in the next room, I'd say it's ironed out its share of power "events" whether it can report them or not.

 

[jagec]

I really wouldn't bother to run my monitor on that if I were you. Just run the monitor in the surge protector strips, and use the software to allow it to shut down your PC when the power goes off. Less of a chance of data loss that way...

 

[mechBgon]

It was just suggested as a test to see if the battery works under modest load

 

[NotSoSimple]

Well i did the monitor test. It wont even let me turn on my monitor!

I have JUST my monitor plugged into the UPS. I unplug it, and it beeps the power outage warning. Then the On Battery LED comes on, and the Online LED flashes. I try to turn on my monitor: Nothing.

I dont know what else it is...If its a bad battery wouldnt the LED tell me?

 

[mechBgon]

You kind of did that backwards, NSS I was meaning for you to have the monitor powered from the UPS, up and running, then unplug the UPS from the wall to simulate a power failure.

Since you did it the other way, push the button on the front of the UPS to "cold-start" it.

 

[NotSoSimple]

...I did that lol.

Sorry for the mixed words or what not. Wall Outlet>UPS>Monitor. Monitor running off of power from house. Unplugged UPS from wall.

 

[mechBgon]

In that case, if the unit's battery is connected, and there's no other obvious problem, then it may be time to write that one off.

 

[NotSoSimple]

:-( Sad

Hmm Thanks anyway! Guess I h ave a 25 Lb. surge protector.

 

[TwoBills]

Maybe the charger is blown. With the ups plugged in, disconnect the + battery lead. Read across the battery. s/b about 12.2 Read across the leads. s/b about 13.6. Taking for granted this is a 7ah agm bat.

 

[boshuter]

I have a backups 650pro and it has a couple of ATC (like found in automobiles)fuses on the pcb. You can remove the case and you should be able to see them. The ones in mine are soldered in, but it wouldn't be hard to change them if they burn out.

 

[RussianSoldier]

well, what I'm about to do could be incredibly brilliant, or I could be the next winner of the Darwin Awards...

I opened my UPS and hooked a car charger to the battery, and I'm going to try substituting another battery into the UPS. If you don't hear from me in a month, then something probably went wrong...

I highly suggest you do not attempt the above either...

 

[RussianSoldier]

well, I took my lawnmower battery out and tried to place it inside the UPS, the contacts hit the front side (where it's not shielded) and the terminals began to weld themselves to the UPS. I managed to beat the battery free, and connect it on the outside this time. I powered it up, and pulled the power - the lamp connected to it still worked... so I swapped the original battery in, and tried to no avail. The battery is dead.


What to do with a 60lb lead-acid battery... hmmm