Another Powerware 5110 UPS Failed!!

rustycaps · 3rd November 2009, 9:12 PM

There must be something in the air, or rather, in the power here, as I've had 2 1500VAs go sad on me, and the server 1000VA has appeared to have leaked battery fluid or something, and doesn't even turn on. It's becoming an expensive exercise buying new UPSs when these ones fail like that - yes, I actually did take the 1st 1500VA back for warranty, and replacement failed earlier this year, but didn't think warranty would reapply to replacement. I probably should just contact them and see, but keep forgetting.

Just thought I'd post and ask why people think I might be having such bad luck, or what to do about it.

EDIT: maybe this should be in troubleshooting, now I read what I wrote.... lol

Renza · 3rd November 2009, 9:23 PM

seems common, ive had at least 5 fail already

EvilGenius · 3rd November 2009, 11:55 PM

I have one of these running my main rig, so far it's been a great unit for me. A little worrying to hear of so many failing, but so far mines been fine.

For your warranty issues, replacements are generally only covered for standard warranty period from the date of the original purchase. So if you had 1yrs warranty and it fails at 6mths, you only have 6mths warranty on the replacement.

If I were going to buy another UPS now I'd have a serious look at the MGE range as an alternative, so perhaps that might be an option for you if you're feeling a little disgruntled with the powerware range.

As to why they might be failing, who knows... The batteries are trickle charged constantly in this model, but that shouldn't be an issue for this type of battery. And I can't see what could be happening with your power to cause problems. The 5110's 'buck and boost' power as required to maintain the correct voltage without using the batteries at all.

It's possible yours has been spiked, but I'd imagine you'd have lost other equipment in the house not protected by a ups/surge protector at the same time.

Thrawn · 4th November 2009, 12:02 AM

I've got 4 Powerware units, all good so far (2 x 5110 700VA, 3105 700VA, 1 x 3105 500VA). I had one battery die on me so far.

Battery is only good for about 3 years I think, before needing replacement.

LostBenji · 4th November 2009, 6:20 AM

OP, can you take some pics of the problems ?

Al3x · 4th November 2009, 7:33 AM

Mine died a few months back.

The battereis simply don't last. When I checked mine, a couple of cells had ruptured and melted the inside of the plastic casing. Both battereis were bulging and required complete disassembly of the unit to get to 'em. Was going to be around $100 + shipping for new batts.

I decided on scrapping the device, having broken most of it to get to the batteries. I still have the batteries around if anyone is mildly interested in finding out how these things kick the bucket.

I also had a PSU failure around then (Corsair HX620) - a coincidence perhaps?

strafe · 4th November 2009, 8:37 AM

I have one at home, one at work, and my old housemate has one. All were purchased around a year ago with no problems as yet. I'd try replacing the battery with a different brand.

T-O-D · 4th November 2009, 10:26 AM

hrmm...I've got one of these at home, and its been running fine for a couple of years....

Might be time for me to check the batteries me thinks...

rustycaps · 4th November 2009, 11:42 AM

Not sure what there is to take pics of, as most of the problem appears to be internal. For the leaky issue, it seems to have leaked a black liquid out and melted itself to the top of the entertainment unit I had it and the server sitting on (in my room, not used as ent. unit).
There are power issues here though, like the other night, the server UPS (leaky one) died when power flicked off briefly, yet main pc (not even on UPS) stayed on! Is there anything (device wise) that can be added to the wall socket or before the UPS to give cleaner power or something? Not wanting to have to go getting electrician out - besides, still at home, so parents house anyway.

I did have a 3105 (older flat ones?) die and got battery replaced from Battery World I think, but didn't last too long after, so maybe not just battery related issue then either. Not sure I want to go delving inside these things to see about what batteries, etc, but may have to go and find something good to do the job sooner rather than later.

Frag · 4th November 2009, 12:17 PM

I have a PW 5115 1000 model and has been perfect for last 3 odd months. Not sure if there was a bad batch? bad batts?

Been a good unit for me, as hear it doing its thing as my house seems to have inadequate power... Things like vacuums etc, seem to trip it which could possibly have damaged my PSU.

Anyway I am only running 2 small download boxes on it at the moment, sold my main rig which was sucking the most power.

LostBenji · 5th November 2009, 7:16 AM

Most issues arise from poor battery maintenance on the owners part or that the battery charge circuit has overcharged the batteries. UPS's need to be excercised on a regular basis. This means actually running off it from time to time to make it work the batteries. The batteries are gel-cells and don't take well to being left on trickle charge for long periods without being worked. The batteries eventually sulphate up the plates and loose capacity thus failing when needed most.
Batteries should be swapped out about every two years unless they are still holding at least 90% of their rated capacity.

The downside of the current trends is to make things smaller and smaller but this cuts down on quality and quantity. The general rule is to have a UPS capable of supplying 50% more capacity than the total peak load going to be placed on it. Always use and "Online" type UPS (way better protection and no dropped cycles when switching in upon a fault) and for the average PC system of many users in OCAU, 1KVA is good. The way to tell if it's worth it's salt is to pick it up. If you can lift it with one hand then you have a little pussy. Decent 1KVA's are heavy (3 or more decent sized batteries and large transfomers) and will bust some peoples pooper-valves.

rustycaps · 5th November 2009, 5:08 PM

They have been run when the power has gone out, and both the 1500VA and the 1000VA (server) had the software setup to shutdown after about 3mins, which worked fine (whilst they still worked). Later on, whenever the power went out, they would just fail to work.
These things are like 10-15kgs each!

3rd November 2009, 9:12 PM	#1
rustycaps Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Narangba Posts: 644	Another Powerware 5110 UPS Failed!! There must be something in the air, or rather, in the power here, as I've had 2 1500VAs go sad on me, and the server 1000VA has appeared to have leaked battery fluid or something, and doesn't even turn on. It's becoming an expensive exercise buying new UPSs when these ones fail like that - yes, I actually did take the 1st 1500VA back for warranty, and replacement failed earlier this year, but didn't think warranty would reapply to replacement. I probably should just contact them and see, but keep forgetting. Just thought I'd post and ask why people think I might be having such bad luck, or what to do about it. EDIT: maybe this should be in troubleshooting, now I read what I wrote.... lol

3rd November 2009, 9:23 PM	#2
Renza Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Adelaide, 5051 IQ: >9000 Posts: 1,531	seems common, ive had at least 5 fail already __________________ Intel Q9450 3.72Ghz\|4gb G.skill Pi\|Asus 8800GTX\|Corsair HX-620\|Asus P5Q Deluxe\|2x 1.5Tb + 4x 640GB + G.skill 64gb SSD\|Dell 2407WFP 24" LCD Canon 5D Mark II \| Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L \| Canon EF 17-40 f/4L \| Canon EX-580II \| Manfrotto 190 Pro B Traded over $8000 on OCAU! - PM for recent traders

3rd November 2009, 11:55 PM	#3
EvilGenius Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: _Rocky Status:_Folding! Posts: 4,365	I have one of these running my main rig, so far it's been a great unit for me. A little worrying to hear of so many failing, but so far mines been fine. For your warranty issues, replacements are generally only covered for standard warranty period from the date of the original purchase. So if you had 1yrs warranty and it fails at 6mths, you only have 6mths warranty on the replacement. If I were going to buy another UPS now I'd have a serious look at the MGE range as an alternative, so perhaps that might be an option for you if you're feeling a little disgruntled with the powerware range. As to why they might be failing, who knows... The batteries are trickle charged constantly in this model, but that shouldn't be an issue for this type of battery. And I can't see what could be happening with your power to cause problems. The 5110's 'buck and boost' power as required to maintain the correct voltage without using the batteries at all. It's possible yours has been spiked, but I'd imagine you'd have lost other equipment in the house not protected by a ups/surge protector at the same time. __________________ Q9450@3.4 \| GA-P35-DS4 \| 4GB Team Xtreme Dark PC-8500 \| 8800GT \| Enermax Revolution 1050w \| CMStacker810 Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more Cry fold for Team24, OCAU and all the world! WANTED: Large and/or well ventilated case. Pickup greatly prefered in Rockhampton.

4th November 2009, 7:33 AM	#6
Al3x Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 633	Mine died a few months back. The battereis simply don't last. When I checked mine, a couple of cells had ruptured and melted the inside of the plastic casing. Both battereis were bulging and required complete disassembly of the unit to get to 'em. Was going to be around $100 + shipping for new batts. I decided on scrapping the device, having broken most of it to get to the batteries. I still have the batteries around if anyone is mildly interested in finding out how these things kick the bucket. I also had a PSU failure around then (Corsair HX620) - a coincidence perhaps? __________________ Check out my Photography site!

4th November 2009, 8:37 AM	#7
strafe Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 349	I have one at home, one at work, and my old housemate has one. All were purchased around a year ago with no problems as yet. I'd try replacing the battery with a different brand. __________________ Main PC - Antec Sonata, Gigabyte P35-DS3, E2160, 2GB, 4850, CM Realpower M620 PSU, DVR-216, 2.5TB. HTPC - Dell Mini 9, 2GB, V470 Mouse.

4th November 2009, 12:02 AM	#4
Thrawn Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 327	I've got 4 Powerware units, all good so far (2 x 5110 700VA, 3105 700VA, 1 x 3105 500VA). I had one battery die on me so far. Battery is only good for about 3 years I think, before needing replacement.

4th November 2009, 10:26 AM	#8
T-O-D Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Brisvegas! Posts: 1,073	hrmm...I've got one of these at home, and its been running fine for a couple of years.... Might be time for me to check the batteries me thinks... __________________ Gaming On ---> * PhenomII 810 * 8Gig ram * 512MB Sapphire 4850 * Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe * 2.3TB of 7200.10/11 goodness* Antec P180 * Corsair TX-750 * Folding@Home 1000000 Points Milestone

4th November 2009, 11:42 AM	#9
rustycaps Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Narangba Posts: 644	Not sure what there is to take pics of, as most of the problem appears to be internal. For the leaky issue, it seems to have leaked a black liquid out and melted itself to the top of the entertainment unit I had it and the server sitting on (in my room, not used as ent. unit). There are power issues here though, like the other night, the server UPS (leaky one) died when power flicked off briefly, yet main pc (not even on UPS) stayed on! Is there anything (device wise) that can be added to the wall socket or before the UPS to give cleaner power or something? Not wanting to have to go getting electrician out - besides, still at home, so parents house anyway. I did have a 3105 (older flat ones?) die and got battery replaced from Battery World I think, but didn't last too long after, so maybe not just battery related issue then either. Not sure I want to go delving inside these things to see about what batteries, etc, but may have to go and find something good to do the job sooner rather than later.

4th November 2009, 12:17 PM	#10
Frag Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Perth Posts: 2,119	I have a PW 5115 1000 model and has been perfect for last 3 odd months. Not sure if there was a bad batch? bad batts? Been a good unit for me, as hear it doing its thing as my house seems to have inadequate power... Things like vacuums etc, seem to trip it which could possibly have damaged my PSU. Anyway I am only running 2 small download boxes on it at the moment, sold my main rig which was sucking the most power. __________________ "Many people might have attained wisdom had they not assumed they already had it." -- Unknown Source

5th November 2009, 5:08 PM	#12
rustycaps Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Narangba Posts: 644	They have been run when the power has gone out, and both the 1500VA and the 1000VA (server) had the software setup to shutdown after about 3mins, which worked fine (whilst they still worked). Later on, whenever the power went out, they would just fail to work. These things are like 10-15kgs each!