Little-Miss Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) When logging onto the server the other day, i got a message warning me that i basically need to replace one of them. We've got 2 but only one is showing up in the software (hmph!)... That one is apparently over 4 years old. So does this mean that the battery is no longer reliable? Is it something that i've got to buy now?! How long do they last? Edited February 25, 2009 by Little-Miss
AyatollahPies Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Think 3 years is the average time until replacement so you've done quite well with it. You'll probably find it is cheaper to buy a new one that get a replacement battery. If it's for a system critical server, I'd probably get it replaced. You might still get a bit ore life out of though so I'd keep it for a test server or something less critical. 1
Little-Miss Posted February 25, 2009 Author Posted February 25, 2009 Thanks.. I'm guessing they were bought at the same time so it might well be worth replacing them both. While im thinking about it, what do i look for in a battery? We currently have APC...they seem to be the standard..
AyatollahPies Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Only ever used APC to be honest, though there are a lot more manufacturers out there now, that seem to offer very good deals. However, people generally by a UPS as they want reliability, so it might be best sticking to what you know, that does the job. I'm sure other edugeekers might be able to recommend some other brands though. Just make sure you get one (or two) that can comfortably take the load required by todays' power hungry beastly servers.
IrritableTech Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 If you want to replace the battery on an APC you'll need to get the right one for the model. The battery will have a Replacement Battery Code or RBC number. The APC website should list the correct RBC for the model. 1
eduabncs Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Also the first two numbers of the serial number on APC UPS indicate the year of manufacture of the unit and is also usually the age of the battery. Little Miss as your in a brum school take a look at here. 1
Haptic Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Thanks.. I'm guessing they were bought at the same time so it might well be worth replacing them both. While im thinking about it, what do i look for in a battery? We currently have APC...they seem to be the standard.. Hiya Little Miss, Let me know what model APC UPS you have and I'll get you a price on a replacement battery straight away or we have some great offers on new APC UPS replacments, Simon 1
DAckroyd Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) Thanks.. I'm guessing they were bought at the same time so it might well be worth replacing them both. While im thinking about it, what do i look for in a battery? We currently have APC...they seem to be the standard.. If you are looking to buy a new UPS and you have enough money and the correct power to the server room (or ability to have it installed) a couple of APC Smart-UPS RT 10,000VA RM 230V's should do the trick - they only cost £2,900 and should keep things going as long as possible. if you can't get a couple of 3-Phase connections into your server room then you'll need to look at the 5,000VA which can work from 13amp (and preferably) a 16amp connection to each. a 5,000VA should cost in the region of £1,800 basically with a UPS the more battery life it has the longer your servers stay up Something else to note is that APC oftern do a trade-in service so that might save a few bob? Edited February 25, 2009 by DAckroyd 1
Sylv3r Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 I was going to mention the trade in but someone beat me to it. APC Trade-UPS 1
Michael Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 APC Smart-UPS RT 10,000VA RM 230V's should do the trick I personally think that's a little OTT. £2,900 is a lot to spend on just a UPS. Most schools I visit use 1 or 2 APC 1000AV's or a 1500AV. This is plenty and much more cost effective. @Little-Miss - Changing a battery is relatively simple, but it does require you to take a few panels off. It's also important to get the right model of battery too and avoid 'compatibles' - stick with official APC. Alternatively you could replace the UPS altogether, but this is much more expensive as you'll see. 1
TonyDigital Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 When logging onto the server the other day, i got a message warning me that i basically need to replace one of them. We've got 2 but only one is showing up in the software (hmph!)... That one is apparently over 4 years old. So does this mean that the battery is no longer reliable? Is it something that i've got to buy now?! How long do they last? Hi, If your UPS works well, and never gave you any problems, your best best is to buy replacement batteries. On most units they're hot swappable, pull out the old ones and replace with the new ones. You don't even need to turn off your UPS. A lot of vendors will recommend that you throw out your UPS as soon as the batteries are gone, that's a convenient up sell, however not necessary. APC UPSs are very reliable, have no moving parts and can last a very long time. To go out and buy a brand new UPS to get the newest face plate, perhaps isn't financially wise. :-) My opinion! Tony APC Battery Backup Specialists
TonyDigital Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 When logging onto the server the other day, i got a message warning me that i basically need to replace one of them. We've got 2 but only one is showing up in the software (hmph!)... That one is apparently over 4 years old. So does this mean that the battery is no longer reliable? Is it something that i've got to buy now?! How long do they last? Hi, Good quality batteries should last between 3-5 years, getting 4 years is pretty good. It all depends on the quality of batteries and the type of abuse the batteries take. What kind of units do you have? Tony, APC Battery Backup Specialists
RabbieBurns Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 How long would they last if theyve never been called into action. My APC 1500 has been in place about a year and never had to switch to battery yet
TonyDigital Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 How long would they last if theyve never been called into action. My APC 1500 has been in place about a year and never had to switch to battery yet Hi, The battery inside an APC Smart-UPS 1500 should last about 5 years if rarely used. It could last even longer. The battery doesn't die right away, it starts loosing charge, so it won't provide the run time it originally did. If you don't have a critical load on the UPS, and are using it for power filtration, replacing the battery is not necessarily urgent. If your run time is 10 minutes instead of 20 minutes, it's not so bad if it's not critical. Tony, APC Battery Backup Specialists
ICT_GUY Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 The only good thing is they are easy to replace. Usually you just lift the front panel off and pull the battery out. I have just done my main one the other week.
rad Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 I have replaced them before and as said are easy to do. A word of warning though, the batteries are bloody heavy so get someone to help you lift/move it.
Little-Miss Posted February 25, 2009 Author Posted February 25, 2009 Yep, i dropped one on my toe.....lovely shade of purple
Michael Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Yep, i dropped one on my toe That's going to seriously hurt. Remember (if installing in a rack), remove the battery, install the housing, then re-install the battery. I've seen people trying to hold up the UPS with one hand whilst inserting screws into cage nuts with the other hand!
john Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Yup I've done that one before, good fun as well Try a HP ML370 server, fully loaded balanced on one leg when the rail fell down through the rack a bit as the screw sheered off for some reason!
DAckroyd Posted February 26, 2009 Posted February 26, 2009 Yup I've done that one before, good fun as well Try a HP ML370 server, fully loaded balanced on one leg when the rail fell down through the rack a bit as the screw sheered off for some reason! how did that happen!?! there are multiple screws and bits and bobs popping out of the rail kits and they lock to the required lenght. I can't remember what I was racking a while back (think it was a 2U server the county provide for our proxy) but it's racking kit isn't, well, it's not upto the quality of some... well it's basically pants as a server racking device. anyway I wanted it some way up the cabinet and I was on my own so (it's not the lightest of devices) I had a load of boxes that had hard disks come in, I proped them under the server to lift it to the required point... worked, not quite a treat, but got the job done
john Posted February 26, 2009 Posted February 26, 2009 how did that happen!?! there are multiple screws and bits and bobs popping out of the rail kits and they lock to the required lenght. The screw sheered off on the rail and the little hook things that should have been holding it (it was a front part of the rail if i remember correctly) hadn't bitten as the rack was slightly twisted at that point so it just went and fell down and bent and skewed the rails, it was all fine when put back together and the screw removed (only had 1 in it as it was a temp rack mount until it moved into the other rack where its permanent home was)
Taylor999 Posted November 5, 2009 Posted November 5, 2009 It is also worth mentioning that APC do not actually make batteries They use a few carefully selected battery Manufacturers which are considered the highest quality batteries such as BB Battery, CSB Battery, Panasonic and Yuasa. There are considerable savings to be made using these batteries, but a word of caution do not use cheap imports APC use the above Manufacturers for the following reasons Excellent Quality and Reliability. APC Battery Power Protection Specialists
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