Computers & Electronics

UPS battery replacements in Montreal

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  • Oct 12th, 2019 9:07 pm
Sr. Member
Oct 1, 2009
662 posts
325 upvotes
West coast
Using a multimeter and reading voltage isn't enough. You Have to put a load on it to tell if it's dead.

Reading the 20hr rate isn't useful either as most use either the 8hr / 10hr / or 20hr rate.the datasheet's power or current graph is the way to go if you want to be technical.

Any of these batteries will work. If you just want a battery backup, just buy any of them but don't mix. In the end, you're supposed to change them every 2-3 years but I suspect that you don't as that's what the majority does.
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Dec 23, 2003
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You can check Amazon as well. Their prices may not be the lowest, but they do offer warranty with reviews. I tend not go get the cheapest battery and look for a high quality battery at a fair price.
Sr. Member
Jan 10, 2006
878 posts
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doradxplorer wrote: the datasheet's power or current graph is the way to go if you want to be technical.
What do you look for in the graph?
hightech wrote: I tend not go get the cheapest battery and look for a high quality battery at a fair price.
How do you identify quality on an product description page?
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Dec 23, 2003
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fizikz wrote: What do you look for in the graph?



How do you identify quality on an product description page?
AJC is one of the OEM brands for APC and other brands. Their website is https://ajcbattery.com/products/ups-batteries/. Other brands are Yuasa, and Panasonic. I figure if you get a AJC battery, it will be like getting the APC branded battery (which is just their sticker on top of an AJC LOL).
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2006
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fizikz wrote: Surprise! The CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD's batteries are labelled 12V, 9.0Ah.
Haha I called it.
Most UPSes use the same batteries nowadays.
Do you not have anything else to do rather than argue with strangers on the internet
Nope. That's why I'm on the internet arguing with strangers. If I had anything better to do I'd probably be doing it.
Sr. Member
Jan 10, 2006
878 posts
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death_hawk wrote: Checking the dimensions of a 7.2ah that looks doubled with a space for cabling in between.
Pull the cartridge (it'll probably be a cartridge) and open it and see.
My bet is that it's the same battery.
death_hawk wrote:
Haha I called it.
Most UPSes use the same batteries nowadays.
I thought you predicted it would be a 7.2Ah battery, but I can see the statement could be interpreted in a different way. It's still not clear to me that the 7.2Ah and 9Ah are the same even if they have the same dimensions. But the way in which they are rated seems opaque and also difficult to trust.

This video reminded me that the useful battery capacity/life will depend on the voltage of the battery over time, and this can also vary based on how much current is drawn, which might be what @doradxplorer is referring to. Here's a longer but more informative video. Summary: "You really have to measure the capacity of the battery for exactly the type of load you're going to have on your circuit."

Thanks @hightech for the brand suggestions. I'll keep an eye out for AJC, Yuasa, and of course Panasonic. Any thoughts on CSB?

Also, @doradxplorer is right that I don't replace the batteries regularly but rather as needed. What is the argument for regular replacement, other than reliability for critical devices, and possibly battery sales?

The small APC is used for communication devices like the modem, router, etc. It used to last ~3 hours, but is now down to maybe 1-2 hours, though more devices have been added on it. This made me start thinking about its eventual replacement. It is ~6 years old now. The CyberPower is just over 1 year old so no worries there. I just like to be prepared.
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Aug 22, 2006
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fizikz wrote: I thought you predicted it would be a 7.2Ah battery, but I can see the statement could be interpreted in a different way.
I did. I'll explain why with the following:
It's still not clear to me that the 7.2Ah and 9Ah are the same even if they have the same dimensions. But the way in which they are rated seems opaque and also difficult to trust.
This is pretty much it.
If you go into any battery shop and ask for a 12V 7.2Ah they may give you the option of something higher.
I still suspect fudging or other nonsense otherwise why would a reputable manufacturer not produce 9Ah?
What is the argument for regular replacement, other than reliability for critical devices, and possibly battery sales?
Reliability is a big one.
A UPS is probably meant to protect equipment that's connected to it.
A dead/dying battery won't do it.
An old battery also may report good voltages until you try to put a load on it.
Proactively replacing batteries means you're always going to have a good battery vs one that looks good but won't actually do any work when you want it to.
That's not to say that I haven't let some of my smaller UPSes go but my main big one is on a 3 year schedule even at home.
A few (okay multiple since I'm running 24 of these) hundred bucks in batteries every 3 years is nothing compared to the tens of thousands of dollars of servers connected to it.
The small APC is used for communication devices like the modem, router, etc. It used to last ~3 hours, but is now down to maybe 1-2 hours, though more devices have been added on it. This made me start thinking about its eventual replacement. It is ~6 years old now.

Since communications is the "core" of importance, I'd religiously replace this battery.
Hell if I had other single battery UPSes I'd pull it every 2 years and "downgrade" my other UPSes to this one's old battery.
My big UPSes are only for holding a load for a short time before shutting down.
My communications UPSes are meant to hold a load for as long as possible.
Do you not have anything else to do rather than argue with strangers on the internet
Nope. That's why I'm on the internet arguing with strangers. If I had anything better to do I'd probably be doing it.
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Dec 23, 2003
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fizikz wrote: Thanks @hightech for the brand suggestions. I'll keep an eye out for AJC, Yuasa, and of course Panasonic. Any thoughts on CSB?
Sorry, I forgot to mention that. Yes, CSB is another good brand and that is also an OEM manufacturer.
Sr. Member
Oct 1, 2009
662 posts
325 upvotes
West coast
I mentioned that the differences between the two. One is usually for higher current at shorter time (9ah) and the other one is usually for lower current at a little bit longer time (7.2ah). They are dimensionally the same which is why I also mentioned that if you don't have a schedule to change these batteries, just buy either one.

I also mentioned that the answer is on the battery datasheet if you can decipher it.

You Have to know how to convert your power to dc current which then correspond to how long of a backup duration you'll have.
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Aug 15, 2010
2175 posts
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fizikz wrote: Are there any decent, competitively priced stores in the Montreal area for UPS battery replacements?

I've noted a number of recommendations for battery stores, but they are mostly in the Toronto area, and shipping costs 30-50% of the battery price.

In any case, here is the list I have so far of online stores not in Montreal:

https://www.batteryspecialist.ca/
https://batteryclerk.ca/
https://lextec.com/
https://www.infinitecables.com/
https://www.upsbatterycenter.ca/

I found a few in the Montreal area but they don't show prices online...

http://www.batteriesdixon.com/en/catego ... id_battery
https://www.cdnrg.com/products/batterie ... -batteries

You can add another online store to that list:

https://excessups.ca/

Bought 2 replacement batteries for my Cyberpower + purchased a refurbished UPS for my HTPC and quite happy with their service and products.

Both transaction happened almost 2 years ago and batteries and UPS are still going strong. Passes monthly self test.
Sr. Member
Jan 10, 2006
878 posts
882 upvotes
death_hawk wrote: why would a reputable manufacturer not produce 9Ah?
I don't know, but I don't find it's enough to conclude anything either way.
death_hawk wrote: A few (okay multiple since I'm running 24 of these) hundred bucks in batteries every 3 years is nothing compared to the tens of thousands of dollars of servers connected to it.
Holy crap, haha!
death_hawk wrote: Since communications is the "core" of importance, I'd religiously replace this battery.
Hell if I had other single battery UPSes I'd pull it every 2 years and "downgrade" my other UPSes to this one's old battery.
My big UPSes are only for holding a load for a short time before shutting down.
My communications UPSes are meant to hold a load for as long as possible.
Hmm.. that's a pretty good strategy.
doradxplorer wrote: I mentioned that the differences between the two. One is usually for higher current at shorter time (9ah) and the other one is usually for lower current at a little bit longer time (7.2ah). They are dimensionally the same which is why I also mentioned that if you don't have a schedule to change these batteries, just buy either one.

I also mentioned that the answer is on the battery datasheet if you can decipher it.

You Have to know how to convert your power to dc current which then correspond to how long of a backup duration you'll have.
The 7.2 Ah rated one is expected to run for longer than the 9 Ah one? Could you provide some reference/information to help understand this?
Sr. Member
Oct 1, 2009
662 posts
325 upvotes
West coast
The 9ah batteries are typically used if you're planning to connect lots of equipment into your ups and for only a short duration. Sometimes this is called high rate batteries.

The 7.2ah batteries are typically used if you're planning to connect only a few equipment but for a longer duration. Sometimes this is called standby batteries.

My explanation may have been confusing as I didn't mean that the 7.2ah will last longer than the 9ah.

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