Reset an APC Smart-UPS Battery Constant After New Battery Replacement
http://www.conetrix.com/Blog/post/Manually-esetting-an-APC-Smart-UPS-battery-constant-after-new-battery-replacement.aspx<br><p class="postedDate">Posted on March 27, 2011 1:03 PM </p>
<p>
I came across a Smart UPS 1500 that needed a battery replacement
recently. After the replacement battery was installed, I ran a
self-test like I normally do to clear alarms on the unit. I noticed
that the self-test reported that the battery had a runtime remaining of 0
minutes and a 20% capacity. I decided to let the battery charge up to
100% and then try a runtime calibration.
</p>
<p>
Later that evening, the UPS was reporting that the battery had 100%
capacity and a runtime of 3 minutes with a very minimal load. I ran the
runtime calibration and the runtime dropped immediately to 0 minutes
with a 20% charge. I thought that the battery might be faulty at this
point.
</p>
<p>
The customer happened to have another battery there to try. We put the
battery in and testing showed the same exact symptoms. Therefore the
problem must be with the UPS and not the batteries.
</p>
<p>
APC’s forum quotes “The battery constants give the battery status via
their life expectancy. If the battery ages and is ‘exhausted’, the
constant is overwritten. The management software calculates the runtime
of the UPS with these constants. If the battery is now replaced, a self
test must be done with the new batteries. Through it, the red battery
replace indicator goes out and the battery constants should be reset to
the standard settings. This does not occur in some cases. Therefore, the
constants must be reset manually in order to correct this situation.”
</p>
<p>
Through research, I came across this article <a href="http://www.rm.com/Support/TechnicalArticle.asp?cref=TEC817072" target="_blank">http://www.rm.com/Support/TechnicalArticle.asp?cref=TEC817072</a>
which describes how to reset the battery constant manually. The only
problem is that this has to be done by physically connecting the serial
cable to the UPS, so I was not able to try this out yet. Since each UPS
has different constant variables, you will have to call APC support and
ask them what to set it to.
</p>
<p>
Here are the steps listed using Hyperterminal from the hyperlink above:
</p>
<p>
In order to successfully reset the battery constant, all accompanying
devices (SmartSlot Accessories such as Interface Expander, Web/SNMP
Management Card) must be removed from the SmartSlot or from the Com port
of the UPS.
</p>
<ol><li>Please shut off all connected load, switch off the UPS, pull the power plug of the UPS.</li><li>Switch off the UPS once again till you hear a click.</li><li>Remove all accompanying devices.</li><li>Turn on the UPS again and connect a computer with Windows 95/98/ME,
Windows NT 4.0 or Win 2000, which runs on Hyperterminal using one of
the cables mentioned under the requirements.</li><li>Close Powerchute plus-Server. With Windows NT/2000, the UPS service
must be stopped. If you are using PowerChute Business Edition, stop the
Agent *V service.</li><li>Perform a Battery Constants check.</li><li>Start a Hyperterminal session with the UPS. Note: Ensure that
there are no accessories plugged into the UPS. (Web Management cards, IO
Relay cards etc)</li><li>Start Hyperterminal by going to Start, Programs, Accessories, Communications, Hyperterminal.</li><li>You will be requested to enter a name and a symbol. Enter a
favourite name and click on OK. When a message that a modem must be
installed appears, you can ignore this message.</li><li>Select the serial port to which black serial cable is connected
to. The correct settings for the COM-connection are 2400 Baud, 8 data
bits, 1 Stop bit, no parity, protocol Xon/Xoff. In this window, click on
Advanced and make sure that the option FIFO activated is unchecked.
Click twice on OK.</li><li>Check if there is a connection (Type Shift + Y, should return
**SM** ). Do not enter any other characters via Hyperterminal other than
that described in these instructions because this can cause irreparable
damage to the UPS</li><li>Type **1**, wait 2-3 secs and type **1** again (Should return **Prog**) </li><li>Enter a **0** and the UPS reports the present value of the battery
constant. If this value does not correspond to the default value that
was given to you by RM Support or APC , it must be changed.</li><li>If this value is not correct, press **+** or **-** until the correct value is returned.</li><li>Press **R** to close the session. (Should return **Bye**)</li><li>Enter **<Shift> Y**, the UPS reports again with **SM**.</li><li>Enter **0** once again and check if the UPS reports back the standard setting that has been set.</li><li>Close Hyperterminal, start the UPS again and check the UPS runtime in the management software.</li></ol><br>