traderfjp
join:2008-09-30
Nesconset, NY
| APS Smart UPS & Car Battery Mod
Hi,
I have a 1400va Smart UPS from APS. I want to remove the stock 24v battery and replace it with 2 marine batteries. I used the Power Chute software and the APC fix and I still can't change the amount of batteries that the unit sees. That selection is grayed out in Power Chute. I tried Hyperterminal with no luck too. I couldn't get it to connect. I'm wondering if I even need to deal with this. Can I simply intall the larger batteries or do I need to sone how tell the UPS that I have more then one battery for a longer run time? Any advice is greatly appreciated. |
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TheMG
join:2007-09-04
Edmonton, AB
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edit:
October 1st, @02:07AM
| Technically speaking the UPS should be calculating the battery charge level from the voltage and the load, so it shouldn't have any problem using the extra capacity, even though it's not listing the correct battery capacity.
On the other hand though, weirder things have happened with UPSes.
Why don't you just give it a test run and see if you get more run time? |
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Kringle
Dr.D
Premium
join:2004-02-27
Pierrefonds, QC
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to traderfjp
The stock 24V battery is actually two 12V Sealed Lead Acid batteries in series. Connect up your two 12V marine batteries in series and you're good to go. The charging cycles are very similar as well. You have absolutely nothing to change in PowerChute as you aren't really changing anything. |
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traderfjp
join:2008-09-30
Nesconset, NY
| reply to traderfjp
So it should work with the larger batteries and I should get more run time. Will the stock charger be able to handle the Marine batteries? I'm thinking it would be like a trickle charger. If I had to really use this backup for an extended period of time I could use my 12v car charger and charge each battery seperate. If the stock charger fails will that effect the operation of the UPS? |
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cowboyro
join:2000-10-11
Bridgeport, CT | reply to traderfjp
The charger *shouldn't* fail. The only thing I'd be worried about is exposing wires (which can even be "hot"). A short-circuit can lead to explosion (I have witnessed a car battery exploding when it was shorted...) |
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Kringle
Dr.D
Premium
join:2004-02-27
Pierrefonds, QC
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to traderfjp
There won't be any problem with the UPS - it will charge the batteries just the same as the originals. It's the charger that limits the charging current. The only thing to be careful about is the wiring (like cowboyro said). There should be no reason to use a car charger BUT, if you do, make sure that the batteries are disconnected from the UPS. |
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traderfjp
join:2008-09-30
Nesconset, NY
| reply to traderfjp
Today I was able to install my UPS and the two marine batteries. Everything went well. I used heavy gauge wire and a fuse where the two batteries are connected together. I cut little holes in the front of the UPS and fished the wires through. The batteries and UPS are in a boiler room, on top of a cabinet and there is a vent about 10" away. I was thinking of putting it all in a large storage container - in case the batteries leak. However, I would then have to put it all on the floor which is about 9' from the vent. I have only a little room between the batteries and studs in the ceiling (being on top of a cabinet) so I may just add a metal pan under it all as a safety measure. I used a 450 watt blender as a test. I didn't run it very long though. Thanks for all the help. |
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b10010011
Whats a Posting tag?
join:2004-09-07
Bellingham, WA
·Comcast Formerly ..
| said by traderfjp  :I was thinking of putting it all in a large storage container - in case the batteries leak. I would be more worried about hydrogen than the batteries leaking acid. I don't know what exact batteries you are using but being a marine battery I bet they are not sealed and could release hydrogen as they charge.  |
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traderfjp
join:2008-09-30
Nesconset, NY | reply to traderfjp
They aren't sealed but are right next to a vent. |
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Kringle
Dr.D
Premium
join:2004-02-27
Pierrefonds, QC
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to traderfjp
said by traderfjp :I may just add a metal pan under it all as a safety measure. DO NOT put a metal pan under the batteries, use a plastic one.
1) A metal pan is an electrical conductor, and
2) A metal pan will get corroded by the batteries' sulphuric acid (these are not sealed batteries). |
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