-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: What's the most interesting small town you've visited in South Africa?
UPS can't keep power
- Thread starter silkman
- Start date
spiderz
Honorary Master
Batteries are dead.
Can replace the batteries or if it was a cheap UPS, just replace the UPS.
they normally use these 7ah 12v batteries, same as the security people use for the alarms, electric fencing.
Price from about R80-250 depending on where you buy.
Can replace the batteries or if it was a cheap UPS, just replace the UPS.
they normally use these 7ah 12v batteries, same as the security people use for the alarms, electric fencing.
Price from about R80-250 depending on where you buy.
Zarathustra
Expert Member
I don't think that the UPS is broken, but rather it is time to replace the battery.
Depending on the model, it is usually very easy to replace the battery yourself.
Take the battery out & go to one of the shops that sells gate motors or alarms. They will be able to give you replacement.
For a 600-1000VA UPS be prepared to pay between R120-R180 for a replacement battery.
If you are in Pretoria, I can recommend MandlaTata (http://www.mandlatata.co.za/) for a new battery.
Depending on the model, it is usually very easy to replace the battery yourself.
Take the battery out & go to one of the shops that sells gate motors or alarms. They will be able to give you replacement.
For a 600-1000VA UPS be prepared to pay between R120-R180 for a replacement battery.
If you are in Pretoria, I can recommend MandlaTata (http://www.mandlatata.co.za/) for a new battery.
In my experience when changing the batteries in a UPS you need to be aware that the terminals are smaller on the replacement batteries than the original battery.
It is virtually impossible to find replacement batteries with the larger terminals so you have to modify the UPS terminal cables to fit the replacement batteries properly.
What I usually do is buy a few crimp on terminal connectors (large male & small female) and solder them together and cover with heat-shrink tubing.
Then you have a converter for large male connector to small female connector which can be used in-line with the UPS and replacement battery.
Saves you hassle when you change the battery again. I find one needs to change the batteries once a year to ensure optimal life of the UPS.
It is virtually impossible to find replacement batteries with the larger terminals so you have to modify the UPS terminal cables to fit the replacement batteries properly.
What I usually do is buy a few crimp on terminal connectors (large male & small female) and solder them together and cover with heat-shrink tubing.
Then you have a converter for large male connector to small female connector which can be used in-line with the UPS and replacement battery.
Saves you hassle when you change the battery again. I find one needs to change the batteries once a year to ensure optimal life of the UPS.
spiderz
Honorary Master
Pada
Executive Member
My Proline UPS wasn't able to switch fast enough from Eskom power to batteries, so my PC also usually went off along with Eskom.
Now that I've upgraded from the cheap brand to an expensive APC SmartUPS SUA1000i, I've never had that problem again. I was pretty much forced to buy a new UPS, because my Proline 650VA wasn't able to power my gaming PC that could draw up to 540VA.
What brand, model & size UPS do you have, and what is the specs of the PC that you're running from it (including screen)?
Now that I've upgraded from the cheap brand to an expensive APC SmartUPS SUA1000i, I've never had that problem again. I was pretty much forced to buy a new UPS, because my Proline 650VA wasn't able to power my gaming PC that could draw up to 540VA.
What brand, model & size UPS do you have, and what is the specs of the PC that you're running from it (including screen)?
The_Unbeliever
Honorary Master
MADNESS!!!
The_Unbeliever
Honorary Master
Any UPS which just dies as soon as a load is placed on it, needs its batteries replaced.
If it's got two batteries, replace both at the same time. Trust me, I know.
If it's got two batteries, replace both at the same time. Trust me, I know.
Zarathustra
Expert Member
I used to buy the no-name or cheap branded models from Sahara, Wavestone, Esquire etc. & eventually had problems with all of them.
A couple of years ago, I started replacing with APC. They are more expensive, but have a swop-out warranty & they will courier you a new one if the UPS itself is faulty.
Also mucho easy to replace the battery. Just slide off the panel & access to the battery is granted.
Since I can't wield a soldering iron to save my life, luckily I've never had problems regarding battery terminals as described by ITCynic.
In regards to purchasing a UPS the higher the VA rating, the longer the battery will last when there is no power. So, a 1000VA will last longer than a 600VA because the battery inside is bigger.
Obviously, the higher the load on the UPS the less time the battery will survive without power. Decide how long you need to safely shut down your workstation & based on that buy the correct UPS.
Also, APC comes with monitoring software which reports battery charge etc. and will also attempt to shutdown the computer should Eskum stop supplying power.
A couple of years ago, I started replacing with APC. They are more expensive, but have a swop-out warranty & they will courier you a new one if the UPS itself is faulty.
Also mucho easy to replace the battery. Just slide off the panel & access to the battery is granted.
Since I can't wield a soldering iron to save my life, luckily I've never had problems regarding battery terminals as described by ITCynic.
In regards to purchasing a UPS the higher the VA rating, the longer the battery will last when there is no power. So, a 1000VA will last longer than a 600VA because the battery inside is bigger.
Obviously, the higher the load on the UPS the less time the battery will survive without power. Decide how long you need to safely shut down your workstation & based on that buy the correct UPS.
Also, APC comes with monitoring software which reports battery charge etc. and will also attempt to shutdown the computer should Eskum stop supplying power.
