Hi all, Off-topic but still techie question: Does anyone know anything about charging the batteries from a UPS using external equipment (i.e., not the charger built-in to the UPS)?
I've got an APC Smart-UPS 3000 (P/N SU3000RM3U) which I picked up for free (someone was getting rid of it). It looks like it's in good condition, but it won't start[1]. I've checked the voltage on the battery, and it's less than 2 volts DC. An aggravating quirk with most APC UPSes is that they won't start[2] if the battery is disconnected or dead[3]. Now, I don't want to have to spend $350 on a replacement battery only to find out that it's the UPS itself that's shot. I'm thinking if I can find some way to charge up the battery to minimum levels, I can at least test the UPS to see if it works. It doesn't have to hold a load. The battery consists of eight smaller units, wired together. The wiring is easily disconnected. Each unit is labeled "12 V, 7.2 Ah/20HR". Anyone if I can just hook each unit up to a regular automotive battery charger (one at a time) and charge them that way? [1] No lights, no beeps, no clicks, no fans, no output, minuscule power draw (0.04 A AC). [2] This is supposedly by design. They give reasons[4], although I'm not sure I believe them. Supposedly, the latest APC models can start without a battery, but that doesn't help me. [3] Dead being defined as less than some acceptable voltage, which 2 V DC is. [4] Severe discharge typically also means the battery will not hold a load to spec, so it's an indication the battery is no good; no point in a UPS without a battery; loose battery connector indication; what if the customer is stupid and didn't connect the battery. -- Ben _______________________________________________ gnhlug-discuss mailing list gnhlug-discuss@mail.gnhlug.org http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss/
