On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 10:31 AM, maxim wexler <bliss...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > >> Unplug all your electronic devices and plug in a lamp with >> a 100 Watt >> incandescent light build. With the lamp on unplug the UPS >> from the >> wall and see what happens. If the battery is dead it won't >> last all >> that long. > > Gave ~5 mins. So I let it charge for 24 hrs now it gives me 36 mins. Which is > wierd; what happened to all that charge? I haven't had to use it for 6-7 > mons. Isn't the unit supposed to stay topped-up?
Well, assuming it was a 100 Watt incandescent that really draws 100 Watts, then that's probably 1/2 to 1/3 the draw of a typical desktop PC implying you would get 12-18 minutes before shutdown. (Really rough ideas - just numbers, etc. Don't take it too seriously.) These batteries have a limited lifetime and they need to be charged up if they haven't been used in a while. >From the APC Forums an APC representative posted the following. Note #3: [QUOTE] Most APC batteries should last three to five years. Below are some guidelines to ensure optimum life expectancy: ***Some APC Back UPS models may have a shorter battery life expectancy. Please reference the user's manual of your APC Back UPS to determine the exact battery life expectancy. 1. Make sure that you keep your APC UPS in a cool, dry location with plenty of ventilation. Ideally, the temperature where your UPS is kept should not exceed 75° F (24° C). Also, for ventilation purposes, leave roughly one to two inches on each side for proper airflow. 2. Only perform runtime calibrations on your UPS one or two times a year, if necessary. Some of our customers want to check their systems to verify that their runtime is sufficient. However, consistently performing these calibrations can significantly decrease the life expectancy of your APC battery. 3. Do not store APC batteries for extended periods of time. New batteries can be stored for 6 to 12 months. After this period, the battery should be used or it will lose a great deal of its charge. It is not advisable to store batteries that have already been in use. 4. Do not exceed 80 percent of a UPS unit’s rated capacity due to the reduction in run time. When you increase your load, your runtime lessens. In the event of a power failure, a UPS loaded to full capacity will drain and discharge it’s battery quickly and will lessen the life expectancy. [/QUOTE] > > Another thing: When I do the remove-the-usb-cable test I don't see the > "communication lost" error in apcupsd.events until I switch the dial-up off > and on quickly! > > In the conf file I have DEVICE: /dev/ttyS[0-3] because the default, > /dev/ttyS0, locks out the modem. But why does the UPS need to know about > serial ports? It connects by this funny RJ-45/USB cable. I wonder does the > manufacturer assume the serial port won't be used? Strange stuff but above my pay grade... - Mark
