[Nut-upsuser] Question about Tripp-Lite UPS life span

[Greg Troxel]

Larry Fahnoe via Nut-upsuser <nut-upsuser at alioth-lists.debian.net>
writes:

> Somewhat off-topic, but seeking some input from other tech folk on
> this list. I have a Tripp-Lite SMART 2200 (a white tower that looks
> similar to, but predates the black SMART2200NET) that just failed its
> monthly battery test so I bought new batteries and replaced the old
> ones. Sadly once put back together, plugged in and enabled it did not
> power up--no lights, sounds, smoke, etc. I took everything apart again
> checking for blown fuses, loose connections, anything visually
> obvious, but found nothing. The old batteries measured 12.x volts each
> and the new batteries measured 13.x so I don't think I got a bad
> battery. I replaced with the same batteries I'd used in the past:
> Duracell SLADC12-35J Deep Cycle AGM SLA 12V 35AH; the last set lasted
> 7 years. Tripp-Lite considers these batteries to be non-user
> replaceable, likely because they're bolt on and opening the case is a
> bit of a chore. It's a well built unit though.

I saw an APC unit that would not power up with bad 18 Ah batteries.  I
hooked up (bogusly) some weak 7Ah batteries and it started but failed
under load (fair enough).  But the original symptom was "will not turn on".



Double check that neither battery is reverse polarity.   Use a voltmeter
if you can on the connections.

It could be that one or both of the new batteries are bad, showing 13.x
open circuit but not being able to supply current.   Can you put a load
on them to test?

If you put the old ones back in, does it turn on?

I would say that while it's possible you broke it by changing batteries,
that doesn't seem super likely.  Just being old doesn't make it that
likely to fail any particular day.

As a random datapoint I had 5 Best Fortress LI660 units from 1995.  4
are still ok and one had a leaking transformer and I recyled it.  I have
a Fortress II from slightly later (but 90s I think) and it's doing
fine.  All have had multiple battery changes, which is "not user
replaceable" by modern standards but "easy tech level".  Screwdrivers,
fiddling with wires on tabs, being careful not to short.  Sounds like
what you did, maybe a bit easier.

> The UPS has a system enable switch on the back and a momentary on/off
> switch on the front. I plugged it in to the wall, turned the enable
> switch on, and then pressed the front on/off switch. Nothing. I also
> tried holding the momentary switch in for 5 and 10 seconds. Nothing
> from pressing the alarm silence switch or holding both switches
> in. Breaker in back has not popped. No other obvious switches inside
> or out.
>
> I called Tripp-Lite support and the best that they could offer was
> that the UPS died, maybe as a result of replacing the batteries. Tech
> was polite, saying unit lasted a long time, but technically this
> doesn't really seem a reasonable explanation (to me at least). Sure
> things fail with age, sometimes silently, but I'd expect to see some
> evidence as to what failed. I'm bugged as my gut says it needs to be
> reset somehow, but service manuals are unavailable and the UPS might
> have been older than the tech.

> UPS unit:
> Model SMART2200
> Model # SM1834
> Date code -LW1GE (Nov 1998)
> Serial number E00321344

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/279062-tripp-lite-ups-won-t-power-on
see last comment about stuck power button


So all in all it could be broken, but I don't buy that it should be
because of age.  Things just break more or less randomly.  And replacing
batteries is higher risk than sitting there.