Sealed lead acid batteries

[ekincam]

The SLA battery in the uninterpretable power supply for my computer is 5 years old and I'm getting some battery failed tests occasionally so I think it is time to replace it.

Are most brands the same? The two cells are made by GS Portalac and they are 12V 7.2AH.

 

[Russel]

I ususally replace UPS batteries every 3 years. If you are getting occasional battery test failures it is time for replacement. The 12v 7.2ah SLA gell battery is common. You can usually look up the dimensions of a given replacement at the battery manufacturers website if you want to be sure it will fit.

 

[ekincam]

Yes, I've found various sources for suitable cells. Are most brands the same?

I've seen the price range from $18 to $35 per cell. The replacement from APC is $80.

 

[TakeTheActive]

The SLA battery in the uninterpretable power supply for my computer is 5 years old and I'm getting some battery failed tests occasionally so I think it is time to replace it...

...they are 12V 7.2AH.

I ususally replace UPS batteries every 3 years. If you are getting occasional battery test failures it is time for replacement. The 12v 7.2ah SLA gell battery is common...

...I've seen the price range from $18 to $35 per cell. The replacement from APC is $80.

I have 8 APC UPSs - Back-UPS 200 (2), 300 (2), 500 (2) and Pro-420 (2). They provide backup / surge supression for PCs, Modem, Router, Switches, DVDRs, VCRs and ReplayTVs. I'm guessing that they ranged from ~5-7 years old when the oldest started beeping and I began shopping. IIRC, I paid ~$8 each (plus shipping!), ~4 years ago, in quantity 8, from a vendor that sold mainly SLAs, that had both an internet store and an eBay store (the internet store was cheaper!). An interesting bit of info was that this particular cell was also sold in pairs, quads, maybe even 8s (possibly with included new jumpers - I 'think' they were...) for larger UPSs, which knocked the per battery price down even more.

Shipping was the killer, especially if you needed only 1 or 2. In that case, I'd look for a local B&M.

I'll try to remember /dig up the name; IIRC, it began with "Power..." and was somewhere in the middle of the USA. :thinking:

A few personal suggestions regarding UPSs and PCs:

• If you have a high power device (CRT, laser printer) plugged into the battery backup outlets, remove it.
  You want the PC to run for as long as possible.
  .
• If the UPS came with software that will automatically shut down the PC after XX minutes, use it.
  Since I won't have a monitor when I lose power, I save frequently when I'm working and only stand to lose the last ~10-15min of work.
  .
• Don't needlessly run 'Timed Tests' to see how long your SLA will power something (like I did with 100 watt lightbulbs before I learned better ).
  SLAs DON'T like to be Deep Discharged and they DO like to be keep topped off (float charge, IIRC).

 

[VidPro]

Yes, I've found various sources for suitable cells. Are most brands the same?

I've seen the price range from $18 to $35 per cell. The replacement from APC is $80.

there are different types, and very slightly different quality, the APC own ones are always a bit TO high priced compared to a good one.
but APC batteries are now with connection, so if you cant connect 2 wires up right the APC change is easier, but IMO not worth it.

besides shipping costs, SEEING how old and unloved the SLA your buying could be very important. if you go brick and morter to buy you can get an idea of how long it has been dying on the vine there.
like any battery a good turnover of the item is as valuable as - an extra $12 spent on it. Meaning if you get one that has sat on some shelf for 3 years they are trying to unload for 1/2 price , it isnt worth that.

 

[ekincam]

Local dealer has Universal Battery ones for $25 each but I'm not sure when they're made. I called them about 40 minutes before they closed and didn't feel like driving across to the industrial part of town to check them out since I don't know my way around there very well.

Given their location, I don't think they are a retail store per se because that area is mostly warehouses.

I took apart my old battery pack and they were actually manufactured during 2nd quarter of 2004 so they're older than I thought. I haven't owned the UPS that long -- purchased Q4 2004. Assembly should be fairly easy and yeah, $30 more for APC replacement doesn't seem worth it.

This is for a APC Backups RS1000. I'll prolly pick up the batteries on Mon or Tues.

 

[Elliot]

Same boat here: I usually replace every 3 - 5 years also. The 12V 7.2AH is a very common size, but to be sure take yours out and measure it. Also measure the terminal width as there are two standard sizes. Yes the prices have gone up in the last few years just as my car batteries have. The good news is some places in the US will ship via USPS flat rate boxes so you might be suprised in a good way.

Where I live the BIG concern is lightning so I don't buy the really expensive units. Lightning will kill anything and large power surges will also wreck most units. The insurance offered is a joke. What I do now is use a least one surge protector and one UPS in series. This has worked well and a few units have sacrifaced themselve for the greater good. I've only lost one TV - that was when a bolt came down the building's antenna before we got cable (the TV burnt up - and it was off.)

 

[Light Sabre]

5 years is the magic number for length of life for UPS SLA batteries. I used to run yearly runtime tests with 2 100 watt light bulbs on each one (so that the load was the same). Now I put an install date label on each one and test them every 4 years. Haven't had many power outages where I live. Just the 1 or 2 second glitches that happen once in a while. That's the main reason I have them in the first place. The 3 or 4 longer than UPS runtime power outages in the last 25 years all occured while I was at home. I shut them down after 5 minutes or less when it appears that power is gonna be out for a while. I have high joule rated surge arresters in front of the UPS's for added protection during lightening storms. If it's a really bad thunderstorm the surge arresers all get unplugged from wall power. I used to fix TV, audio, microwave, etc that had lightening damage, so I'm kinda paranoid but sensible about it.

 

[ekincam]

I used not bother with APC's software and just let Windows manage the shutdown. Vista and XP both have native support for shutdown when on UPS battery given the cable is connected.

APC'S software does have a lot more information such as the run time and load. According to my UPS, I get about 20-22 minutes of run time which is plenty since most glitches are only a few seconds. I think I get more brownouts than anything else here.