should UPS be discharged / charged ?

[dr.kevin]

Should a ups be discharged/charge cycled every now and then to keep the battery running longer?

or do they die in <5 years no matter what?

 

[Zepher]

It's a lead acid battery, they last longer if they aren't discharged frequently.

 

[ToddW2]

It's a lead acid battery, I think they last longer if they aren't discharged frequently.

Why would you comment on something if you simply "THINK" but don't know perplexes me.

I'll share my experience...

I've had my batteries lasting WAY longer than 5 years, 7 is about right. If the UPS doesn't get cycled then yes, they die earlier in my experience. I'm sitting here with ~20 batteries to replace in my various UPS systems, even new batteries I do a full charge and then hookup 2 computers or a dual cpu system + light and discharge it completely, maybe twice but for sure once just to validate the batteries are what they say and confirm all working order.

We go without power # of times per-year, and I use my backup units to run my networking equipment, lights, and other misc small things when the power is out. Then when I use my generator I re-charge them, and use them again that night drained down. I may do this 3 times in one week and 2-6 times per-year for 2-3 UPS units. Now, would cycling it 30 times a month be bad for it, probably not "bad" but it would cause some wear, then again if your UPS prevents them from draining ALL the way you should be FINE.

You can do other tricks to batteries but I haven't done them to these small ones, like a welder shock to make old batteries new by getting the corrosion off the rods internally, freezing them for the same purpose then cycling them a few times.

I notice the batteries "die" when they go from 2hr of network up-time down to 10 minutes. I saw a picture of the UPS I use for that from my apartment 8 years ago, same batteries, and it still lasts well over 1hr when power is out.

That's my experiences, hopefully helps you.

 

[Zepher]

there, I fixed my post.