Will my UPS still work?

[Jman13]

Hello. I just recently moved back to the States after living in Germany for 4 years. Of course, the UPS I had been using for a year and a half when I moved to Germany didn't work in Europe, so it sat for 4 years. The place I'm living in now experiences power flashes (quick loss for about 3 seconds) about 2-3 times a week, so I'm really missing my UPS. However, it's still being shipped here, and it'll be another month.

So, I'm considering purchasing a new UPS, especially because I feel that my old one probably won't have much in the way of battery power any more. Will the battery still work when it's nearly 5 years old and hasn't been used for 4 years? If it likely won't, I'd rather just get the UPS now, but if it will, it's worth it to save the $100.

 

[corkyg]

It will probably require a 24 hour recharge - but there's no reason it should not work. Try it and see.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: Jman13
Hello. I just recently moved back to the States after living in Germany for 4 years. Of course, the UPS I had been using for a year and a half when I moved to Germany didn't work in Europe, so it sat for 4 years. The place I'm living in now experiences power flashes (quick loss for about 3 seconds) about 2-3 times a week, so I'm really missing my UPS. However, it's still being shipped here, and it'll be another month.

So, I'm considering purchasing a new UPS, especially because I feel that my old one probably won't have much in the way of battery power any more. Will the battery still work when it's nearly 5 years old and hasn't been used for 4 years? If it likely won't, I'd rather just get the UPS now, but if it will, it's worth it to save the $100.

It could work. It would filter power and all that fun feature crap.

But the battery would be hosed. A lead acid battery sitting for that long after having been used has a tendacy to self destruct internally (sulfate). You can either get a new battery(ies) for it, or if it's an APC, look into their trade in program.

Either way.... you are looking at a new battery IMHO, and buying a new UPS would get you updated features, software, and data connect for monitoring.

 

[vegetation]

The battery is wasted for sure -- by what you're saying, it's not 4 years old, but 5.5 years old. Add another six months for merchant transport and you're looking at a battery that was made in the 20th century.

 

[Jman13]

Thanks everyone. Picked up an APC UPS for about $75. It will do what I need it to. I just need enough battery power to save documents and shut down. This one gives me about 10-11 minutes of uptime if the monitor is on, and that's plenty for my needs. Nice thing is I finally have surge protection on the cable line. I'd imagine I'd get a half hour if the monitor was in standby or turned off (though, if the monitor's off, it doesn't really matter if it's on or shutting down.)