US Telco Support > Verizon > Verizon Fiber Optics > FiOS Phone/Internet Battery Backup Unit Aux Power Connector

FiOS Phone/Internet Battery Backup Unit Aux Power Connector

Yes, the Cyberpower unit is what they call the BBU (Battery BackUp). It supplies several voltages to the fiber interface box (ONT?) and has a 12v sealed lead acid battery to run it when the AC power fails. The battery is good for 4-8 hours, and can be supplemented by an additional external battery that's connected through this connector I'm looking for.

I'm familiar with an earlier APC model of FiOS BBU. That unit has an Aux In jack as well. I have successfully used a Type H coaxial DC power plug from Radio Shack 274-1571, but the fit is not right. ID is indeed 1.3mm. Type H OD is 3.5mm which is a loose fit. The OD 4.0mm on a Radio Shack 274-1532 appears to be correct, but its ID 1.7mm is too loose.

So, for my APC model, I'm looking for a 4.0mm/1.3mm connector. I asked if the CyberPower model was deployed as FiOS equipment because I'd imagine VZ was looking for a second source and probably asked for the same specs.

If you read through that other thread, it's pretty clear the jack is only used to power the BBU when the internal battery is depleted or disconnected. Verizon never made the adapter cables widely available, although I talked to one local FiOS installer who said he saw them at the beginning (back in 2006 in my area) but they were never deployed.

On the APC BBU, the internal battery is started up when emergency use button is pressed. It's not clear what 45% or 12% mean in terms of battery voltage. In my tests, even a low internal battery would start up. I had to disconnect the internal battery to start up the external battery.

reply to MikeRivers
Here's one more reason to love Your Phone Company.

I figured that since CyberPower built the battery backup unit, they'd know what the proper external power connector is. I contacted them via their on-line tech support and received a next-day response. Here's our exchange:

The query:

PRODUCT INFO:
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Model: CS36A12V2
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"This is the power backup unit provided by Verizon with FiOS service. The user manual describes the Auxiliary DC input connector as "1.3 mm" but that's only half of the specification. What is the outside diameter (there are at least three different ones with that ID) or standard part number for the plug?

Verizon has no clue. "

The reply:

"Unfortunately CyberPower product support does not have access to that information. I understand that your previous inquiries with Verizon were not fruitful, and I understand the position this puts you in. The unit you have is Verizon property and Verizon has requested that all inquiries be made with them directly."

Translation: "Sure, we know but in accordance with our arrangement with Verizon, we won't tell you."

reply to MikeRivers

Interesting. So It doesn't switch to the Aux battery until after the internal battery runs down to the point of shutdown. Then when you restart with the Emergency button, it continues to run from the internal battery for a while longer before switching to the auxiliary battery?

I don't doubt your test procedure or result, but that doesn't seem to make very good use of the external battery. I guess it doesn't really matter if you're around to push the button, but if the power goes out for a couple of days while you're on vacation for a week and you have an alarm system that depends on their being a phone. I assume that when AC power returns, it will restart automatically, but if not you might be without your alarm system longer than just the duration of the power outage.

I realize you have a different power unit than mine (APC vs Cyberpower) but I assume they're both built to the same design specifications and work the same way under power loss.

I don't have an alarm system myself, I just want to be able to make phone calls by candle light.

Time     Aux       Internal
16.00    13.34     13.24      Initial before pulling AC power
16.06    13.34     12.64      
17.28    13.34     12.48      
19.23    13.32     12.06      last reading with OnBattery solid
20.26    13.31     11.76      OnBattery blinking indicates Low Battery but still running
20.39                         45% -- BBU shut down sometime in the last 13 minutes
 
20.39    13.31     11.72      Restart with Emergency Use button, runs from internal
20.44    13.31     11.66
20.48    13.31     11.64
20.58    13.31     11.55
21.02    13.31     11.49
21.07    13.31     11.35
21.11    13.31     10.96
21.13    13.31     10.60      12% -- In last minutes, internal battery voltage  
                              dropped rapidlybefore switching over to Aux. 
                              Transfer did not interrupt connectivity
 
21.13    13.07     11.70      Internal battery is no longer under load
06.17    12.32     11.92
 

Good data. Thanks.

reply to MikeRivers

reply to MikeRivers
Allied electronics or newark.com

reply to MikeRivers
You are referring to like what alarm panels use the power supplies have 2 battery's if one dies out other would kick in so instead of 8 hrs u want 16 hrs

reply to mackey

reply to MikeRivers
If you know someone in the alarm security for home and business I'm sure they can hook you up with what you need

reply to MikeRivers