On Friday 30 January 2009 19:33:24 John R Pierce wrote:
Chris Boyd wrote:
On Jan 30, 2009, at 11:28 AM, Anne Wilson wrote:
OK, thanks. I'll look around. I guess if they are selling 'standard' batteries they will have some way of making sure that what I buy is compatible. Another adventure :-)
There's info on the battery that will identify it.
Voltage (typically 12V for a small UPS) Ah or mAh (Amp-hours or milliamp-hours, typically 7.5 for a small UPS) A manufacturer model number (they should be able to cross-reference to get the equivalent)
many of the smaller UPS's use a pair of 6V 12AH batteries wired in series... if these are mounted side-by-side, you can use a single 12V 12AH.
many UPS batteries use a somewhat different rating than AH, based on minutes at some load factor.
I get my batteries from http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=393246
anyways... measure the size of the battery, go here, select the voltage on the far right, and pick the size, and .250 spades (or whatever) and hit search. BB are somewhat cheaper, Panasonic are considered premium grade. a really large UPS will use M5 or M6 bolt lugs.
prices -have- gone up.... a few years ago, Panasonic 12V 20AH were $44. now they are $73. ouch.
if this is too complex, or if your UPS uses a funky battery assembly you're not up for hacking, try these guys... http://www.refurbups.com/Catalog/By-APC-RBC-Battery-Number;jsessionid=0a010 5501f434fd727d50b9643569c308deb23faa548.e3eSc34OaxmTe34Pa38Ta38Qb350
OK. Thanks, both of you. Info bookmarked for investigation :-)
Anne