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APC BX1500LCD Cooked PSU !!Help!!

B

Blk02

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
183
A brand new APC BX1500LCD cooked one of my PSU's. I plugged the APC unit into the wall outlet and then I plugged both of my computers into the battery protected outlets. Both of the computers were off at the time of the incident. I then proceeded to press the power button on the APC unit and instantly my older computer's 200watt PSU started sparking and smoking. I immediatly pressed the power button on the APC unit and the disaster halted. My custom computer seems to be untouched, which I find strange (PC Power & Cooling 750watt).

I inspected the APC unit and realized that the battery had not been connected:rolleyes:. When I examined the battery only the neutral was plugged in along with the jumper between the two battery packs. I proceeded to connect the battery and then I plugged my custom computer back into the APC unit and I have had no problems.

I assume that forgetting to plug in the battery is a common issue since it is one of the few things they list on there trouble shooting guide. I assume that a disconnected battery would not have caused this issue because they are supposed to be hot swap.

My question is why would one computer PSU fry and the other remain seemingly untouched?? Also, aren't the batteries in this APC unit supposed to be hot swap (exchange batteries with power on and all connected electronics with power on). Also, why in the hell would APC not put a physical sticker over the power button if not plugging in the battery before power up had the potential to cause damage.

Do you think that one of the battery powered outlets on the back of the APC unit could be bad?? I have not plugged anything back into the outlet to test it since the 200watt PSU was fried. Is their a way to test the outlet??

Even if my custom computer seems fine do you think the capaciters or MOVs in the PSU could be damaged?? Is there anyway to know?? HELP!!
 
There's always the chance your older PC was going to fail soon no matter what. Contact APC and see if they will help you out with a replacement UPS. When I have a power supply blow like that I replace the UPS too.

Unfortunately, It can be hard to tell if the other computer got damaged in any way.
 
I just cracked open the damaged PSU on the older computer. I cannot find any damaged components. All the caps are ok (none are bulging on the top) and all the MOV's look ok. I am not sure what could have caused the sparking and smoke.

The PSU in this computer was replaced by me about a year ago because the fan in the original PSU was starting to die. The computer itself is about six years old. I used a 200watt FSP Group PSU (Model Number: FSP200-60SPV) to replace the original power supply about one year ago. This FSP Group PSU model is listed as a direct replacement for the particular size PSU my HP Media Center requires. I only spent $25.00 or $30.00on this PSU, so I am not going to cry myself to sleep. However, I have no idea if the other computer components are still functional.
 
Here are some pictures of the burned out components I found in the FSP Group 200w PSU. Please let me know if you think it was the APC unit or just this PSU's time to go.

Thanks

blk02-albums-computer-picture5955-dsc-3384.jpg


blk02-albums-computer-picture5956-dsc-3382.jpg


blk02-albums-computer-picture5957-dsc-3378.jpg
 
I'd only be making a bad guess. Maybe someone else has some idea with a reasonable rationale.
 
It's pretty obvious that whoever owned the PC that PSU was in is a smoker, you can see tarbunnies all over the fan. It's possible the PSU was doomed to failure from the start being in that kind of environment.

FSP typically makes great low end PSUs, they are usually underrated and well built compared to other PSUs of the same price range. Maybe you just got a lemon, or maybe the sticky smoke/tar built up somewhere it shouldn't have.

I highly doubt the APC was at fault....
 
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