I'm dealing with an APC Smart-UPS SRT 8000 that we bought back in 2017, along with two external battery packs. Each pack contains two cartridges with two cells each. Over the past three years, I've had to replace the cartridges for one battery pack about twice a year, and while the other pack is holding up better, it still needed replacements. Initially, the "Predicted Replacement Date" suggested these cartridges would last 4-5 years, so I'm puzzled by this accelerated wear and the alerts I've recently received. After a self-test, the UPS flagged three cartridges across all packs as needing replacement, and I've received warnings saying that the battery might not hold the load if power fails. I'm eager to know if others have experienced similar issues with such frequent replacements, whether there's a proper procedure for changing the cartridges, and if I should be replacing both cartridges in a pack when one fails. I'm concerned about replacing all the cartridges now for about $3,000, only to face the same issues down the line without understanding the root cause.
6 Answers
That seems off. We've got our original batteries running strong for 5-7 years despite periodic brownouts. Sounds like you might need to look into the specific conditions your UPS is facing.
If the UPS systems are in high-temperature environments, like above 90°F, that could be damaging your batteries. Consider upgrading to Vertiv Lithium batteries; they're designed to last longer and perform better in heat.
There are a couple of things to check. First, assess the incoming power quality. If your UPS frequently has to switch to battery mode, that's tough on the batteries. Also, APC sometimes floats their batteries at a high voltage, which can shorten their lifespan. I’ve switched to using Eaton units for more reliable performance.
What is your average load on the UPS? If it's constantly above 30%, you might be stressing the batteries too much, which could be contributing to their quick decline.
Typically, you should expect a lifespan closer to 3-5 years under normal operational conditions. If your batteries have completely drained multiple times, that could explain the rapid wearing. It might also be that your UPS is undersized for your load, which would put extra strain on the batteries.
Have you considered the type of batteries you’re using? Make sure they’re quality branded batteries and not cheap knock-offs. Sometimes, the off-brand batteries just can't hold up like the originals.
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