Onions and Orchids: Round 3

By Jerry Pournelle

January 23, 2006

(Orchids and Onions: Round 3 :  Page 1 of 1 )

Replacing the APC UPS batteries is not onerous. Do understand that the units and the batteries are heavy, and you may want assistance wrestling them onto a work table, but once that is done the process is simple enough. APC sends the replacement batteries with clear diagrams of just what to do for every model of unit that the battery will fit.

With the APC 1400 units you pry off the front panel and, leaving it connected by its ribbon cable which is long enough for the purpose, move it out of the way. You remove a galvanized safety plate secured by two screws. The battery has a plastic pull tab on the bottom; pulling on that will draw the battery out of the case. There is a very heavy-duty plug that looks as if there may be some kind of locking device, but in fact there are no locks; it just pulls apart. That takes a bit of effort, but I had no trouble with it once I was sure that just pulling was the right idea.

The new battery installs by connecting it to that plug and pushing it into the compartment. Installing the safety plate may take a few minutes if you don't remember which way it was facing when you took it out; the only caution here is that if it seems hard to do, you are putting it in upside down or backwards. There's only one way it goes, and once you have that right, it is very simple and easy.

Push the front panel back in place, plug the unit into the wall and the loads into the unit, press the on button, and the job is done. The whole effort took about 10 minutes the first time, and under 5 minutes for each of the other two.

Battery Disposal

The APC battery units come with UPS shipment stickers to go over the address sticker. You put the used battery back into the box the replacement came in, tape that shut, affix the address label, and carry it out to the front porch for the UPS delivery man to take away. And yes, it really is that simple. Alternatively, you can dispose of them at your local Toxic Waste Roundup; certainly they shouldn't just be thrown away.

Clearly there are cheaper battery replacements than the "genuine APC" package.

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