Battery runtime different on 2 identical APC Matrix 3000 Setups?? 1

[progeekit]

I have 2 APC Matrix 3000's each with 4 Smartcells attatched.

The load is pretty close to the same on each, but the difference in runtime between the 2 is odd?

Matrix 3000 #1 UPS Status info:

Line = 215.0 VAC
Output = 207.0 VAC
Load = 44.2 %
Est Run = 176 min
Temp = 23.4 c
Battery = 100 %
Line = 60.00 hz
# Batt packs = 04
# XR packs = 00
# Bad batts = 00

Matrix 3000 #2 UPS Status info:

Line = 213.1 VAC
Output 205.3 VAC
Load = 48.8%
Est Run = 45 min
Temp = 20.7 c
Battery = 100%
Line = 60.00 hz
# Batt packs = 04
# XR packs = 00
# Bad batts = 00


Now, the #2 unit has a slightly higher load by a couple percent, but the difference in Est Run time is 131 minutes.

Any thoughts??

Thanks much!

-Matt

 

[AlexandreAmant]

Are both your UPS the same age ?

 

[progeekit]

No....1 of them is about 3-4 years older.

Could it be that the one with the short run time has a battery that is starting to go bad?

 

[AlexandreAmant]

Yes, definitely.

UPS batteries don't last very long, unless in high end UPS, which is not the case here. Typical lifetime of a battery is 3 years (oh, they give 2 years warranty ;o)).
After 3 years, there is definitely a significative drop in the battery capacity and thus its runtime decrease.

If you live in an area with few power outages (I am in Kenya, with A LOT of power outages), don't worry at all. In my case, I change the customer's UPS after about 3 to 4 years otherwise they don't cope with the repeated power outages.

As long as you can cope with a decreased runtime, don't worry, otherwise, get a new battery pack (or a new UPS) !

Hope this helps !

@lex

 

[progeekit]

ok... Guess I'll add a couple battery packs to the budget!

Thanks much!!