Computer UPS help needed
 

Computer guys,

Need a hand here. I had a guy just give me 10 or so UPS (uninterrupted power sources) that he had taken out of a company where they upgraded. He said that some worked, while some had batteries inside that were old and needed replacement. One or two of them are pretty rough then the rest of them look almost brand new.

Any tips on how to check these units out? They are various makes, APS and other name brands. I have never worked with them and wanted to refurb as many as possible and give them to my family and friends.

As well any tips on where to get new batteries if needed?

Thx,

Joe

Batteries Plus. Website will find closest store. Have done the same thing.

Joe,

Here's a source that just happens to be right in your own backyard.

Arizona Battery
E-Mail: info@arizonabattery.com
Phone: TOLL-FREE 1-866-597-3709
Fax: 1- 928-726-6562
Mail: PO Box 5731
Yuma, AZ 85366

Cheers!

Randy

For the batteries, look for a business in your area that sells new UPS batteries. If you have enough batteries to replace, they may give you a slight deal. Most UPS batteries only last through about two or three heavy blackouts.

To test, you could hook them up to a small appliance, such as a fan and see if they will run. If they immediately shut off, needs a new battery.

Dave

Thanks guys! Batteries plus is 2 miles South of me! Been there before. AZ battery is a ways away but let me see.

Now, anyone have any idea how to test the batteries in the units to see if they are good? Did not look but wonder if any of them have a self test function?

Thx,

Joe

Dave,

Edit: Hook something up to the UPS as the computer would or open it up and put a load directly on each backup battery inside?

Sounds like a easy load test will work. Great thats easy to do in my shop.

Appreciate the help guys!

Joe

Use it as you would with a computer. You are just trying to load test it. Batteries over two to three years should be replaced as well.

Dave

Thanks, now off to the battery store!

Dave,

Quick question. Plugged several of the UPS's into a 110v outlet. The APS 650's both seem to be working but when I test one of them its weak, and the other one seems fine. The other brands seem DOA or at least do nothing after being plugged into power for 2-3 hours.

Do I have to have the front panel switch turned to the "on" position to charge the UPS or will they charge when just plugged in? What is a normal time to bring them up to charge? 5-6 hours or longer?

Thx,

Joe

PS Michael, did you ever get the batteries in your laptop changed? Did that cure the BIOS time problem?

Interstate also does some of that - at least here. The APC is a great unit.

Hi Joe,

With the APC, what do you mean by weak?

On the other brands, did you replace the batteries or are you just trying to charge the old ones? With a 5-6 charge, I would think you would see something, but would not really run very long under load. With new UPS's out of the box, I cheat and plug them in and use them. I just count on the fact there will be no outage. I would give them at least 12 hours to charge.

You should not have to have the front switch on for the APC's to charge. I have a Back UPS 420 just sitting, plugged into the wall. <-- It's good for small lights or fish tanks. Not sure about the others, but I would think they are the same.

Dave

P.S. I used to have a T.V. plugged into a UPS and I still use them to power lights during the rare outage. The T.V. was fun, as cable still worked.

I've found that the cost of the replacement batteries in most of the old UPS units is higher then the cost of buying a new UPS. I've tried Batteries Plus, but by the time you buy the battery and pay shipping, then install, test, etc... it's cheaper and faster to just buy a new UPS. Just my .02 worth...

Dave,

Sorry, the APC units have a "test" switch on them and when I push on one of them it emits a nice strong beep, while the other one makes the tone, its weak compared to the other one.

Have not replaced any batteries yet, just trying to see if any of them will come up "as is" for now. Am too Scottish I guess! Have lived without an APS for years and if I can get one or two of them working for nothing then am way ahead of where I was before. For my own personal computer will probably buy new batteries as APC sells a kit for $49 with everything. Course if Batteries plus, AZ batteries and so on are cheaper will go with them.

Have plugged the "tripro power plus 1000" into power overnight and no signs of life so guess its dead. Both of the APC units (BK650MC) came up and will do a load test on them this morning.

Thanks much!

Joe

Art,

Was wondering that as well. Lucky for me there is a Batteries Plus 2 miles from the house, then a Fry's electronics 5 miles away and thats without even contacting the two places that the other guys have mentioned yet.

APS makes and sells a replacement battery pack for $49 or so for the three APS units I have, so if nothing else for around $100 I can get two of these units running and well ahead of the new price. Just looked on the internet and there are several places selling refurbed UPS's for about $20-$30 over the price of simply buying batteries, so its worth looking around.

Thx,

Joe