How to replace the batteries in a UPS | replace batteries in uninterruptible power supply

In this video I’m replacing the batteries in a powerwalker UPS (uninterruptible power supply). I knew the batteries had died, because the fan starting running for no specific reason and it continued running until the batteries were replaced. I bought my batteries from eBay (I’m not on commission) bit.ly/3y3cdKg

[@ultimatehandyman]

I uploaded this video several weeks back, but forgot to make it public 😱 Around the 20th of October, I had my second heart attack, which meant another week in hospital and had to have another stent fitted. I’m absolutely fine BTW, thanks to the staff at the Royal Blackburn teaching hospital 👍 Some videos were scheduled to go live whilst I was in hospital, but I’m behind now with the videos. Obviously, I have to prioritise things and number one on that list is keeping alive, so I have to keep exercising, but will make videos when I get chance 😉 I hope everyone has a great Sunday 👍

[@TheHarlemShow01]

Glad everything went ok 👍🏻

[@thejoneseys]

That's sounds pretty scary. I think I'm roughly in the same age bracket. Glad you're ok, trying to be healthier these days myself but it's harder when the weather is colder outside!

[@daithi007]

Omg sorry to hear that! A second heart attack! Wow! How do you feel about that? Any plans? Diet and exercise that type of stuff?

[@ultimatehandyman]

@ @thejoneseys I try and eat healthily, apart from a takeaway once a week. I’ve not eaten meat for about 8 years, I don’t eat added salt, sugar, butter or margarine! I think a lot is hereditary, as my dad died at 52 from a heart attack! Thanks for the comment 👍

[@ultimatehandyman]

@daithi007 Not much more I can do, I take about 6 different tablets a day, and eat relatively healthily (although defining a healthy diet is difficult). I used to walk a couple a times per week, but got too busy doing a kitchen job and missed the exercise. Once this kitchen is finished, I’m going to re-join the gym! Thanks for the comment 👍

[@phonotd]

Great video, I've done this job many times over the years, and it is satisfying to keep equipment working as intended. More importantly I'm glad to hear that you are on the mend after your latest heart attack, don't worry yourself about producing videos, just look after yourself and we can all patiently wait until you are fully fit and well again.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@andymartin86]

Good video. We repair a lot of these and usually the batteries are the root cause of failure.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@garranstvall1442]

Glad to hear you’re making a good recovery. 👍🏾

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks, I appreciate that 👍

[@Petertronic]

Excellent video, and very pleased to hear you are well after the time in hospital.

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks Peter, I’m fine 👍

[@jboomhauer]

Great video, and you've reminded me I need to replace the batteries in mine! Sorry to hear of your heart attack, and glad you're doing well now

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks, I’m great 👍

[@johnemb]

Thanks! Followed this excellent guide and made my UPS work again :)

[@ultimatehandyman]

You are welcome. Thanks for the kind donation 👍 Sorry for the late reply, KZbin comments system has been causing me grief for years!

[@nightjarflying]

Glad you're well Chez. Can't keep a good man down!

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks, I’ve always been fine, during and after the heart attacks 👍

[@gerrym4377]

Glad to hear you are OK Chez after your last heart attack 👍👍👍

[@ultimatehandyman]

I’m good, thanks 👍

[@mjones410]

Nice instructions, thank you. I actually decided to punch one of the small side vents out and run the battery cables externally and house my 2 new batteries next to the UPS, just to make it easier to troubleshoot and change next time :)

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@skills24hrs]

Good information. 👍

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@nickayivor8432]

Good Morning Ultimate Handyman My teacher Thanks 👍 have a great day SUBSTANTIAL Ultimate Handyman From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks Nick 👍

[@michaelplays2449]

Great video !!

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks!

[@anilabbaraju1]

Hi nice review good vedio helpful to so many people

[@ultimatehandyman]

Thanks 👍

[@jasoncrosier623]

I have this same Powerwalker UPS and am pretty sure I just removed the small screw at the front bottom prized the front forward then up (being careful with the the cable to the front display) rotated 90 degrees. Then slid up the metal plate slid the batteries forward, disconnected the leads pulled the old ones out and slid the new ones in reconnected and clipped the front back in and replaced the screw.

[@ultimatehandyman]

It might be possible to do it that way 👍

[@damjann33]

Exactly!

[@alpachino468]

I put all 4 of my inches in, and the UPS asked if it was in yet 🤣

[@ultimatehandyman]

😂

[@TapelessDrywallFinishing]

👍👍

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍

[@jeromeaurelio6692]

I replaced my ups battery before but ended up the ups not turning on. Im not sure how cos it was only the battery that I was trying to do. Was it because of the surge of the new battery installed? But i think it shouldnt.

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍

[@thenomad4123]

I have a question to ask. So my ups has some kind of error, and restarts itself shutting my pc down in the process. There is no power outage when it does that. Battery is about new. I also have another same model of ups with near dead batteries, and that one has no restart problem. I am thinking the new ups's error is not the batteries, so planning to switch them. Or can faulty batteries be the cause of these restarts? As I said the ups works fine when there is power outage, it restarts randomly.

[@davenz000]

Not a spark or qualified tech but wouldn't you have this plugged into a socket with the socket switch turned off so it's earthed? (or otherwise connected to an earth) before working on one?

[@nightjarflying]

No. This type of stand alone UPS device is switched off & unplugged from the mains supply before opening the case & swapping out batteries. Why this is I don't know.

[@tscotom]

Those UPS sealed lead acid batteries (usually) last for 2 years and then they begin to fail. I wonder if there are similar units that use Lithium Ion or the newer Lithium Polymer batteries and the best/safest LiFePo rechargeables. Cheers. 🙂

[@ultimatehandyman]

Not sure if they are available. Lead acid batteries seem to be the only option for backup batteries in alarm panels and UPS etc. I would be good if they could make a UPS where you could use your power tool batteries 👍

[@davenz000]

Lithium battery business UPS are more and more common. Will take time to filter down to all consumer level stuff.

[@garvielloken3929]

🤩

[@ultimatehandyman]

👍

[@Ldenlord]

How long do these usually last for you guys??? Mine lasted for 2 years then suddenly now it can only handle less than a minute, I don’t even have enough time to save them turn off in time. Google says the battery would last 3-5 years tho

[@slypig24]

If using your UPS constantly, what's your time between battery changers?

[@ultimatehandyman]

They last about two years 👍

[@slypig24]

Thanks for that information.

[@Bushy-73]

How long do the battery's last before they need replacing??

[@ultimatehandyman]

They normally last about 2 years 👍

[@stevie-ray2020]

Couldn't help laughing when you said it was 'a nice easy job', simply because compared compared to my APC UPS, that is a shockingly bad design! (Definitely no reflection on your skills here!) All APC UPS units have their separate battery compartments easily accessed by turning them over on their side, then unclipping a plastic-cover that easily slides off! Takes mere minutes to swap in new batteries!

[@ultimatehandyman]

Blimey the ACP ones sound like a much better design 👍

[@stevie-ray2020]

@@ultimatehandyman Unfortunately we don't always check for certain features when we buy gear like this! (Then again, how many computer-users even consider the benefits of a UPS to start with?)

[@chrimony]

@@stevie-ray2020 I got a UPS after the power was flickering on and off several times a day after a bad storm and they were doing widespread repairs. Drove me crazy with the computer reboots (desktop, no laptop). Up to then I hadn't really needed it, but the few times since when the power occasionally flickers, it sure is nice to have.

[@paedahe4975]

I do not like how UPS backups drain in percentage even when there is no draw. They truly should last according to the energy draw and not be on a timer. Does anyone know why they do this?

[@nightjarflying]

No. UPS Battery charge does not last according to the energy draw. The purpose of a UPS is to maintain power for a few minutes until the original power [or replacement power such as a diesel generator] is switched in - thus the batteries in a UPS can hold a lot of energy for a short time & then the chemistry of the battery 'leaks' electricity [no leakage really but the chemistry reverts to the uncharged state without a load feeding it]. If you have spare batteries of this type in storage you are supposed to charge them up every few weeks - don't let them drain to zero because it permanently damages the chemistry.

[@MasterHunter992]

I opened my ups and I am trying to unplug battery poles and they are not coming off can you please help me?

[@ultimatehandyman]

Try using some long nosed pliers, but make sure you grip the metal spade connector and not the wire 👍

[@pabloverity6404]

Why on earth replace the lead acids with more? Why not LiFoPo4? Four cells, same charger, better performance (BMS needed, obvs).

[@ultimatehandyman]

It’s called a like for like replacement 😉