Where do you guys get replacement UPS batteries from? I have an older APC SmartUPS that takes a couple 12v/12ah batteries. I've gotten them from BatteriesPlus, eBay, and Amazon, but I can never seem to find a brand that lasts more than 2 years. I've heard Yuasa batteries are supposed to be fairly good, but have no idea where to get them. I could get genuine OEM replacement batteries but they're about $150 vs $50-60.
UPS Replacement Battery Source
- Thread starter nijave
- Start date
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I got some replacements for a couple basic APC desktop/workstation units from www.replaceupsbattery.com about 2.5 years ago. Pricing was good, and they have performed fine through a couple outages. Too soon to really judge longevity though, I'd think.
I purchased a set of batteries for an APC SU2200RMXL3U unit from batterysharks.com a month or so ago. No problems so far ...
Unless you're buying enough batteries to matter, just use batterysharks and look for a free shipping coupon on places like retailmenot.
APC UPSs drift out of calibration over time, almost always to the high side, so they end up cooking the batteries. Do a search for "APC float voltage adjustment".
APC seems to be using various battery manufacturers, some better than others. The only reason to go with genuine APC is to get the various wiring harness doodads so you don't have to re-use your old ones.
Yeah, I've knocked the voltage down a little bit. The last couple sets of batteries were slightly swollen. I haven't had a look at this one yet since it's not at my house, but I may bump it down a bit more.
Replaced mine a few years back with 2 large 12v leisure batteries. Was a little unsure whether the APC UPS would have the guts to charge them but they work and charge just fine. Mine took 4 x 6v batteries and the 2 large 12v batteries cost the same as replacing those. As a bonus I now have a run time of about 5 hours instead of the normal 20 mins or so. They've also lasted longer. It don't look pretty but I'm very happy with it.
I just bought 5 sets from batterysharks and they seem fine, though I had a few worries about overcharging initially before I investigated more deeply into the UPS power usage:
(5) Very high UPS Idle Power Consumption | ServeTheHome Forums
(5) Very high UPS Idle Power Consumption | ServeTheHome Forums
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About "Leisure batteries" or other types of batteries, you may try your local auto parts distributor, instead of a "specialised shop".
They may have batteries, or may get you batteries that fit the purpose, at a good price, as they sell lots and lots of batteries.
A "specialised shop" assumes that you have spent lots of money on your boat/RV/trailer so you can spend a lot on a battery...
They may have batteries, or may get you batteries that fit the purpose, at a good price, as they sell lots and lots of batteries.
A "specialised shop" assumes that you have spent lots of money on your boat/RV/trailer so you can spend a lot on a battery...
Never had a problem with APC batteries shipped and sold by Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/stores/APCby...9AC1-601F-45AD-88C0-9F28AEA85953?ref_=ast_bln
https://www.amazon.com/stores/APCby...9AC1-601F-45AD-88C0-9F28AEA85953?ref_=ast_bln
If you don't mind the prices being higher (sometimes by a lot) that is a good option, particularly if you don't want to deal with re-using your existing battery wiring harness.
However, just using an APC battery does not guarantee that your UPS will "live long and prosper". As I've mentioned before, the charging system in APC units tends to drift out of calibration, leading to over-charging and reduced lifetime of replacement batteries.
APC discovered this themselves - they used to offer a "ChargeUPS" plan which was a replacement battery and a new 1-year warranty. They were getting a lot of UPS units back because they had chewed through the replacement batteries in under a year. That program was discontinued because they were getting so many claims.
Interesting. Is there a particular series the problem is attributed to?
I've been using the same APC UPS for 15+ years. I get 5 years, to the month, before the UPS warns me the battery needs to be replaced.
I guess your mileage may vary.
APC units have been "cost optimized" over many years. In my experience, they aren't particularly concerned about what happens once the warranty is up. That is probably understandable for things like the inexpensive Back-UPS units, but I find it inexcusable on product lines like the Symmetra.
I agree with you that the older models can be very reliable. I have a Matrix 5000 from 1997 still going strong (with lots of battery replacements over the years). It would be an even older unit except that it had been exchanged twice early on, once to get the version that had an internal accessory slot and again to get one that had the "Smart Slot" accessory slot style.
IMHO, the "sweet spot" for Smart-UPS units is mid-to-late 2000's with units in black cases. The older ones were hard to calibrate, and the newer ones have been too "cost optimized".