UPS Replacement Batteries?

[Ben]

Does anyone have any long-term experience with third party UPS replacement batteries? The battery set on my APC RS1500LCD needs replacing. The APC batteries are ~$75, while third party OEM batteries are around $30. I've already seen that some of the OEM batteries are only 7.2 A/H instead of 9.0, but there are plenty of 9.0 A/H sets in the $30 range. I've bought APC replacement batteries for some smaller UPS units in the past, but the premium for the brand wasn't quite as high as they are for this larger UPS unit.

All the reviews I've read seem to only cover a few months of use. I'm interested in how well they do compared to the APC batteries in years versus months. Has anyone used these and had them last 3+ years?

[lee n. field]

We usually go to Fedco (http://www.fedcoelectronics.com/) for replacement batteries.  Ne real problems with them lasting.

[AZRedhawk44]

Lots of experience at batteries plus.  Nothing but good experience with them.

[Triphammer]

Lots of experience at batteries plus.  Nothing but good experience with them.

Same here. Probably 30 - 40 batteries a year. Higher AH in the AGM than in the standard lead acid.

And, if they have a storefront nearby you don't pay shipping.
 My local Batteries Plus will replace your batteries, dispose of the old (Hazmat) & only charge for the batteries.

[Marnoot]

I've had just as much luck with 3rd party batteries as I have APC.

Something fun to do if you have some old APC batteries sitting around. Take the APC label off. Underneath each one you'll likely find another sticker from the actual manufacturer. I did this with 4 deceased APC batteries at work, and found 4 different Chinese brands of battery.

In other words, APC's just buying the cheapest ones from China they can find, so you might as well do the same and cut out the middleman markup. 

[AZRedhawk44]

I've had just as much luck with 3rd party batteries as I have APC.

Something fun to do if you have some old APC batteries sitting around. Take the APC label off. Underneath each one you'll likely find another sticker from the actual manufacturer. I did this with 4 deceased APC batteries at work, and found 4 different Chinese brands of battery.

In other words, APC's just buying the cheapest ones from China they can find, so you might as well do the same and cut out the middleman markup. 

Yup.  That's how I figured out to go to batts plus in the first place.

Springfield Armory does the same thing with CMI mags for their M14 pattern rifles.

[Ben]

Thanks all, will give the OEMs a go.

[Tallpine]

Last time we needed a UPS battery, the prices on the new units had come down so much it was cheaper to just buy a new one.

[lee n. field]

Last time we needed a UPS battery, the prices on the new units had come down so much it was cheaper to just buy a new one.

For the low end desktop units yes.  Still quite worth replacing batteries in slightly higher end stuff.

[RocketMan]

Been using batteries from BatteriesPlus for several years now without problems.  We've got umpteen fortyleven of them around the DC in UPS units and fire system remote power supplies.

[rcnixon]

Lots of experience at batteries plus.  Nothing but good experience with them.

Just don't get their "Werk" batteries.  I have several personal UPSs and I'm an IT engineer so I've been responsible for everything from 1kva units to 3000 kva gensets.  The "Werk" batteries are not very good.  I just had a set last just over a year.

Russ

[Cliffh]

I've used deer feeder batteries from a local hardware store in 4 smaller APC units.  Still ticking after 2 years...