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Science Forum Index » Electronics Forum » substitute car or marine battery in UPS?
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| Matt |
 Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 10:19 pm |
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My Belkin 350 VA UPS has stopped working, and I find its (sealed lead
acid) battery is dead and won't accept a charge. I can't say that that
is the only thing wrong with the UPS. The unit is still under warranty.
First I wonder whether it is practical to try to take advantage of the
warranty.
Second I wonder whether I can just use an external automotive or marine
battery instead of the sealed lead acid battery that came built into the
unit. If so, do I have to do anything special when using the external
battery, maybe such as using a separate charger (maybe the UPS's charger
wouldn't be big enough)?
The battery in it is like:
http://www.batterysupplier.com/item.asp?n=LA1245 |
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| George Pontis |
| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 11:29 pm |
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In article <8FdLe.3994$cg.2191@news02.roc.ny>, matt@themattfella.zzzz.com says...
Quote: ...
Second I wonder whether I can just use an external automotive or marine
battery instead of the sealed lead acid battery that came built into the
unit. If so, do I have to do anything special when using the external
battery, maybe such as using a separate charger (maybe the UPS's charger
wouldn't be big enough)?
A separate charger is not a good idea. The UPS circuitry may have the battery
floating at an unsafe voltage, and most external chargers will not even be as good
as the charger in the UPS. (A really good one would probably have a microprocessor
and measure battery temperature)
As far as substituting a different battery, that is also not a good idea. The
sealed lead-acid batteries have different construction than an auto/starting
battery. They also have slightly different chemistry which calls for a higher
charging voltage. An auto battery would draw too much current from the charging
circuitry, would lose water too quickly, and would wear out faster than expected
if it was cycled.
So ... I would first try the warranty. If that is no good, then see if you can buy
an equivalent battery at a reasonable price. You might have good luck with eBay.
You can often recycle the old battery at an auto parts store. These low cost UPSes
go through batteries much faster than would a good design, but people keep buying
them because the limitations are not obvious at the time of sale. Even the mid-
range UPS (e.g. APC SmartUPS) at $400 and up do not handle the batteries well. |
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| ric |
| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 11:48 pm |
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"Matt" <matt@themattfella.zzzz.com> wrote in message
news:8FdLe.3994$cg.2191@news02.roc.ny...
Quote: Second I wonder whether I can just use an external automotive or marine
battery instead of the sealed lead acid battery that came built into the
unit. If so, do I have to do anything special when using the external
battery, maybe such as using a separate charger (maybe the UPS's charger
wouldn't be big enough)?
Try a motorcycle SLA battery. Something in the 3-4 amp/hr. range.
--
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death. |
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| Matt |
| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:37 pm |
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Conor wrote:
Quote: In article <8FdLe.3994$cg.2191@news02.roc.ny>, Matt says...
My Belkin 350 VA UPS has stopped working, and I find its (sealed lead
acid) battery is dead and won't accept a charge. I can't say that that
is the only thing wrong with the UPS. The unit is still under warranty.
First I wonder whether it is practical to try to take advantage of the
warranty.
Err..thats why they have one.
Really? Think about it. Oh yeah, you're a genius. |
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| Matt |
| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:40 pm |
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John Weiss wrote:
Quote: "Matt" <matt@themattfella.zzzz.com> wrote...
My Belkin 350 VA UPS has stopped working, and I find its (sealed lead acid)
battery is dead and won't accept a charge. I can't say that that is the only
thing wrong with the UPS. The unit is still under warranty.
First I wonder whether it is practical to try to take advantage of the
warranty.
Why not? I got 2 batteries from them under warranty. They even sent prepaid
UPS labels for the returns!
They will only send me a new unit, and I have to pay for the return
shipping of the old one. My application requires a serial port, and the
new one is USB. |
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| default |
| Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:16 pm |
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Guest
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On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 03:40:11 GMT, Matt <themattfella@xxyyyzzzz.com>
wrote:
Quote: John Weiss wrote:
"Matt" <matt@themattfella.zzzz.com> wrote...
My Belkin 350 VA UPS has stopped working, and I find its (sealed lead acid)
battery is dead and won't accept a charge. I can't say that that is the only
thing wrong with the UPS. The unit is still under warranty.
First I wonder whether it is practical to try to take advantage of the
warranty.
Why not? I got 2 batteries from them under warranty. They even sent prepaid
UPS labels for the returns!
They will only send me a new unit, and I have to pay for the return
shipping of the old one. My application requires a serial port, and the
new one is USB.
There are sealed lead acid batteries available on the electronics
surplus market - mail Internet order
If it were me, I'd get a lawn and garden (tractor) battery. Twice the
capacity of a motorcycle battery at half the cost - and still small
enough AH rating so it won't kill the built in charger.
Sealed battery would still be choice number one - lots safer and
easier on the floor or furniture.
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