[plug] UPS's (slightly OT)

[Harry McNally]

At 02:06 PM 09/29/2001, you wrote:
>Hi guys,
>Ive just come into contact with a Datron UPS.
<snip>
>Does this sound like hte UPS has shat itself? Or that the Battery is dead
>or some such thing?

Had one like this recently. Really a lead acid battery starts to rot as 
soon as the acid goes in. Expected life is around three years even on float 
unless it is kept cool. Higher temperature = faster rot. So if you can tell 
from the manufacture date of the UPS (and frozen screws like no-one has had 
the lid off before) that the battery is three years or older .. a birthday 
battery would prolly be the go. Siomar Agencies (Balcatta) or someone 
similar. That said, the UPS I fiddled with had a suss battery but the spade 
lugs on the battery and the PCB must have oxidised a bit because giving 
them a good wiggle at least got the UPS to a stage where it had the same 
symptoms .. run for a short while then carc it.

Thus endeth my UPS tale :)

Agree with James on the loading, tho' if it is a PC _only_ you are powering 
(ie no screen) then it should be up to that. Swot it's designed for usually.

Good luck Mr Bates

Harry