Hi Folks!
Found out something interesting today: it's suggested UPSs be replaced
every six to ten years max. The UPS itself. Looked into it because I
had a UPS fail -- well, one of the batteries. Guess had a power glitch
which shut down the UPS but I didn't notice until several hours later
(since have written a small script to monitor). Powered up, plugged the
plug to test -- UPS worked fine.
About a month later heard a pole transformer fuse blow -- was a few
blocks away and this time heard the other UPSs click over. The one in
question died again. Batteries were only about 18 months old, so should
be fine but they felt a lot warmer than seemed normal. Thinking either
faulty battery or maybe the UPS was starting to fail - I've had it for
quite a while.
Today tested the removed batteries using an automotive bulb. First
battery - nice and bright. Second battery -- hmm, yup: connection is
good. Deader 'n a door nail! Started cutting the duct tape holding
them together: saw a big split in the case! That one goes to recycle,
the other is probably good but will be used in a lesser-critical device
set.
Have a slight suspicion on this UPS: seems like it had failed the same
way some time back (the 18 months?) but at the time didn't think much
about it other than the batteries didn't last as long as normal and I
use this brand and rating (9AH) in just about all the UPSs here --
easier and cheaper to keep spares in stock!
So did a bit of research and found the life of a consumer-grade UPS is
six years, ten maximum. This particular UPS is from 2007, so 14 years!!
Found a couple of articles which may be of interest:
https://info.hummingbirdnetworks.com/blog/three-signs-its-time-to-replac
e-your-ups
https://tldp.org/HOWTO/UPS-HOWTO/maintaining.html Also:
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/UPS-HOWTO.html
Section 5.5 of the latter has a section re: extending the capacity
using 35 ampere-hour deep cycle marine batteries. I read some years
back about using 9 AH batteries in UPSs designed for 7 AH -- some
discussion on may damage the charging circuit, some discussion on the
system may shut down at the same time because it doesn't know how to
interpret the larger capacity battery, etc. I've used 9AH batteries for
years and have not had any bad issues (going to exclude the one UPS I
talked about above because I'm thinking more age-related.) Here the use
of 9AH over 7AH has extended the run time -- over the years have had
some lengthy power outages. I don't know how comfortable I'd be putting
a 4x-rated battery in: the draw is only going to be whatever the UPS
uses normally, just able to run on battery power longer. My concern
would be the recharging circuit: the discussion on using 9AH batteries mentioned
potential issues with overheating/breaking down of the
charging circuit. OTOH there is constant use of small capacity chargers
to recharge huge capacity batteries: have one here for the battery
back-up on the sump pump.
» BarryMartin3@ «
» @MyMetronet.NET «
... I finally got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days but whatever.
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47
■ wcECHO 4.2 ≈ ILink: The Safe BBS ■ Bettendorf, IA
--- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462
* Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1)
|
