[PLUG] what is the best way to check an UPS unit for real battery capacity?
Hello Is there any way to check for battery capacity of the UPS unit without having to switch off the AC power input? Just curious if anyway while the UPS stays online can be done? Once I got caught with practically useless battery capacity (lead-acid cells) on an APC unit, because I had neglected to check the batteries capacity about once a year or so. I get a bit nervous when killing the AC power on a live system, although that's what the UPS is supposed to protect from. Is the best way to check done by killing the AC power? Randall
Re: [PLUG] what is the best way to check an UPS unit for real battery capacity?
"Is the best way to check done by killing the AC power? Randall >From a System Admin / Operations Manager perspective, there's nothing better >than a real life load test. Also, ideally you test it when the systems it's >providing backup power to when their under their heaviest workload and when >they're not to get a good baseline. Most UPS units these days will have a web interface or if not that at lease an LED panel with some buttons that should be able to provide some info on backup battery health, capacity, time, etc. Presuming these are Linux systems, I'd recommend looking into APCUPSD, which should be in all Linux distro package repositories. Here's the pkg description from the Debian repos: "apcupsd provides UPS power management for APC products, including most BackUPSseries models (including USB), SmartUPS V/S, SmartUPS (NET/RM), and Matrix series. It controls and monitors the status of UPS and allows your computer to run fora specified length of time on UPS power, and then executes a controlled shutdown in the case of an extended power failure." The controlled shutdown in the case of extended power failure is a key feature to maintain system health & functionality.
Re: [PLUG] what is the best way to check an UPS unit for real battery capacity?
Just reboot the system and hit the Pause key during POST. The system will sit frozen at the BIOS screen drawing power and then you can pull A/C power out of the wall. It the UPS dies no problem. Ted -Original Message- From: PLUG On Behalf Of American Citizen Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2024 12:40 PM To: 'Portland Linux/Unix Group' Subject: [PLUG] what is the best way to check an UPS unit for real battery capacity? Hello Is there any way to check for battery capacity of the UPS unit without having to switch off the AC power input? Just curious if anyway while the UPS stays online can be done? Once I got caught with practically useless battery capacity (lead-acid cells) on an APC unit, because I had neglected to check the batteries capacity about once a year or so. I get a bit nervous when killing the AC power on a live system, although that's what the UPS is supposed to protect from. Is the best way to check done by killing the AC power? Randall
