[LUNI] Slightly OT -- UPS batteries?

[Eric Plikuhn]

> Sorry this is kinda OT, but I was wondering if anyone has any ideas about
> this particular case I'm dealing with.  I've got this UPS, an APC Smart
> UPS 1400.  I plugged it into the wall, and got no power to the unit at
> all.  Can't turn it on.  I tried to pull the batteries, and found that
> the batteries are swollen to the point that I needed to physically bend
> the frame of the unit in order to get them out.  I tested the batteries
> with my VOM, and got absolutely no voltage out of 'em.
>

I had the same problem with a SmartUps 1000.  Won't turn on, battery was
swollen... made it a pain to remove!

I talked to APC's tech support and they told me that if the battery was
completely dead the unit would not power up.  I verified this by borrowing
the battery out of a new UPS at work.  (It's battery is still under
warranty.)  Sure enough it powered on just fine.

Ordered myself a new battery, returned the old one to their recycling center
and everything works.

I did know that this unit was failing, wouldn't run over 3 seconds during a
power outage with load attached.  I took it out of service and got around to
checking it out 3 months later.  Since I put the new battery in place it's
been fine.

Eric