Question UPS replacement battery only lasted 2.5 yrs?

[JEDI]

APC RS800
Uses dual 12 Volts 7.5 AH (F2 terminal) batteries.
It's beeping intermittently and 'replace battery' is lit.

Don't know what brand i used last time but this time the same online store (Battery shark) says:
2 SigmasTek SP12-7.5HR batteries
$20 total + $10 shipping

I think the UPS kicked in about a handful of times in the past 2.5yrs and no more than a min. The power just flashed.

Before I buy, Is it normal for UPS batteries to need replacing after 2.5yrs?

 

[Micrornd]

I also say its very important to check the battery you get from Amazon.
I have had several vendors send me bad batteries which were new in package.

You really can't tell unless you run a battery checker and start checking Cranking Amperage and Resistance.
There is no way you can just check by voltage.

But i also realized a lot of vendors will lie about Resistance claiming a number much lower then it is, or my battery tester sucks on small batteries.

Most APC UPSes can run a "self-test" on themselves and their batteries, as well as running a "runtime calibration test", which tells you how long the UPS will last with the load you have on it (without triggering a shutdown of the UPS or it's load).
I highly recommend both are done immediately after replacing the batteries (and on a scheduled basis), for the reasons you stated.
APC allows you to schedule "self-tests", while the "runtime calibration" tests are run manually.
Sorry, APC=Schneider Electric now

 

[JEDI]

APC RS800
Uses dual 12 Volts 7.5 AH (F2 terminal) batteries.
It's beeping intermittently and 'replace battery' is lit.

Don't know what brand i used last time but this time the same online store (Battery shark) says:
2 SigmasTek SP12-7.5HR batteries
$20 total + $10 shipping

I think the UPS kicked in about a handful of times in the past 2.5yrs and no more than a min. The power just flashed.

Before I buy, Is it normal for UPS batteries to need replacing after 2.5yrs?

Unplugged the rs800 and left it for 3 months.
Plugged it in today and it gave a slow, low noise constant beep.

Replaced the 2 batteries, plugged it back into the wall and turned it on.
Got fast loud constant beeping.

Immediately turned it off and started googling apc beep codes.
no help... Too many different answers.

turned ups back on.
no more beeping?!?
powered on desktop and writing this post.

Anyone know what caused that constant loud beeping?

 

[dlerious]

Unplugged the rs800 and left it for 3 months.
Plugged it in today and it gave a slow, low noise constant beep.

Replaced the 2 batteries, plugged it back into the wall and turned it on.
Got fast loud constant beeping.

Immediately turned it off and started googling apc beep codes.
no help... Too many different answers.

turned ups back on.
no more beeping?!?
powered on desktop and writing this post.

Anyone know what caused that constant loud beeping?

I'll take a guess - the new batteries you installed were at a low charge when you first turned on. When you turned it off (and left plugged in) it reached a sufficient enough charge to disable the alarm. Does PowerChute give any info on charging?

 

[JEDI]

I'll take a guess - the new batteries you installed were at a low charge when you first turned on. When you turned it off (and left plugged in) it reached a sufficient enough charge to disable the alarm. Does PowerChute give any info on charging?

so the fast loud constant beeping was low battery? thx
left it plugged in for 10min while googling. surprised 10min was all it took to get it back to a non-beeping level.

need to install powerchute. thx

 

[dave_the_nerd]

2.5 years is suspiciously short, but $20 is suspiciously cheap...