External "UPS" battery advice

[a cooperator]

Hi,

But in short, an UPS is essentially a battery .
An external battery that you plug into the outlet, then plug the computer to it. When there is electrical supply it charges its internal batteries and while also powering the computer. When power goes out, it uses the battery to continue providing power the computer for a few minutes. While this energy is not enough for continuing normal work, it's sufficient to let you save whatever you're doing and properly shut the system down. The computer continues receiving power even after the blackout.

Basically, the whole city goes dark but your computer will live for 10/15 minutes more, and in that time you can shut down everything as it should instead of being abruptly powered off.

My questions are :

1- I know "UPS" battery is plugged into the outlet and plug the computer to it. When there is electrical supply it charges its internal batteries and while also powering the computer. So, the External "UPS" battery will be always connected to outlet regardless of there is electrical supply or not(i.e. if the electricity was cut off and gone on again, then no need to manually unplug the UPS from the outlet, and let the computer plugged to outlet) .

2- I see that the largest UPS is 865 Watts /1500 VA.
How long can a larger UPS battery be lasting until it drains its power/charge while it is disconnected from the outlet, or there is no electrical supply, and while also powering one or more devices draining the power of that UPS?

 

[GhislainG]

What lamps were flashing? What happens if you set switch 6 to P2 (UPS)? Doesn't Su-kam provide support to customers having questions about their equipment?

 

[a cooperator]

What lamps were flashing? What happens if you set switch 6 to P2 (UPS)? Doesn't Su-kam provide support to customers having questions about their equipment?

Thanks a lot,
Lamps are like this in the screen shot. I don't know what you call them?

While my notebook was powered with UPS, I had not yet tried setting DIP switch 6 to P2(UPS).
There is no support to customers having questions about their equipment

 

[GhislainG]

Why didn't you set it to UPS if that's what you bought it for? The fluorescent light probably flashes because it doesn't receive good enough sinewave power. Your unit is an inverter that can also be used as a UPS, but you really should view "Watch this video to understand how Falcon Plus is also a UPS" at http://sukamfalcon.com/sukam-falcon-plus/? It explains why you need to set switch 6 to P2 to use it as a UPS and back to P1 when you don't.

 

[a cooperator]

Why didn't you set it to UPS if that's what you bought it for? The fluorescent light probably flashes because it doesn't receive good enough sinewave power. Your unit is an inverter that can also be used as a UPS, but you really should view "Watch this video to understand how Falcon Plus is also a UPS" at http://sukamfalcon.com/sukam-falcon-plus/? It explains why you need to set switch 6 to P2 to use it as a UPS and back to P1 when you don't.

Thanks a lot,
This speech(confusion) below is when I setup the switch 6 to P2(UPS). However, when switch 6 was set up to P1(W-UPS), then it was clear that lamps were still flashing while notebook was powered by UPS.(no confusion).
I'd set up the DIP switch 6 to P2(UPS), however, only the fluorescent lights were still flashing for a while(about an hour and a half). Then, they became normal. I think of while my notebook's internal battery is still charging, then the lambs would be still flashing while notebook is powered by UPS even if switch 6 is set to P2(UPS). However, sometimes my notebook's battery is still charging, and the lamps became lighting normal. That is strange. NOTE: I don't have any issue with other devices(TV(78W, air conditioners, air fans) powered by UPS. My Notebook needs 120W which typed on its inverter. When unplugging my notebook, then the fluorescent lights became back normal.

Switch 6 is either set to P1(W-UPS)-default settings when it came from the factory is all switches are set up to P1) or to P2(UPS). I don't know what W-UPS means?

 

[GhislainG]

At the link that I provided, click the video below "Watch: How to Use Dip Switch in Falcon+ to Change Settings" WUPS = Wide UPS (according to the video it is not for computers).

 

[a cooperator]

At the link that I provided, click the video below "Watch: How to Use Dip Switch in Falcon+ to Change Settings" WUPS = Wide UPS (according to the video it is not for computers).

Thanks a lot,
First of all:
This is was the normal thing:When "Mains MCB Button" is in ON, indications 'Mains On' and 'Charge' glow when mains is available, charging is ON, and the system is in bypass mode(Home UPS stops Backup power automatically, and passes mains power supply when available). However, when mains is not available, then system is on Backup. When "Mains MCB Button" is in OFF, mains is available, the system can never be in bypass mode, and indications 'Mains On' and 'Charge' will never glow, and there is no output from Backup. (No output from Home UPS, nor UPS in bypass mode(passes the main power).

However, my UPS-Suk-Kam 1600 no longer charges the battery. I didn't know what might be causing that issue.
But What I remember is that when electricity outage occurred, then as always done, I switched the below "Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch"(screen shot below) to the 'UPS' position by lifting below knife switch up to set it on Home UPS. (note, "Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch' is always still down). However, Power ON/OFF for the UPS unit, itself, is always "ON" whatever mains is available or not. But I always only switched the below '"Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch" by lifting it UP to be on UPS when mains is not available or by lifting it down to be on Mains when mains comes. Before Yesterday, when the "Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch" was on UP on Home UPS, and when the mains came back, I didn't immediately switch the "Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch" to mains power supply. However, I waited for about 10 minutes. Though there is an electric bell which is connected from the mains power supply line, and when mains exists, then the bell gives a sound out indicating that mains power supply gets available back.When I switched the 'Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch' to mains power supply after about 10 minutes, when I touched the bell, I found it was very hot, but it was not burning. I smelt something burning. But I don't know what it was. The bell is only closed to 'Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch', which is situated far away from the UPS unit. So, even if there was something burning in the bell, no thing will reach the UPS unit. However, the bell is still functioning well. Anyway, when I checked my UPS, I found out that it was still on Backup, and neither 'Mains On', nor 'Charge' lights are turned ON. Only 'Backup' and 'ABS Active' lights are ON although the main exists and Mains MCB is set to ON.
"Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch::

So far, the same thing persists as follows:

1- When "Mains MCB Button" is in ON, and mains is available, indications 'Mains On' and 'Charge' DON'T glow, and the system is in on Backup, and charging is OFF. During "Mains MCB Button" is in ON, mains is NOT available, then system is on Backup. When "Mains MCB Button" is in OFF, and mains is available, then indications 'Mains On' and 'Charge' DON'T glow, and the system is on Backup, and charging is OFF.


2- Only when "Power ON/OFF" switch is in ON state, indication "ABS active" glows or otherwise it doesn't glow. During switch ON state and mains is available, the system is in Backup, the Charging is OFF although the Mains MCB is set up to ON,.

3- However, when "Power ON/OFF" switch is in OFF state, indication "ABS active" doesn't glow. During switch OFF state and mains is available, and system is in bypass mode, and charging is ON although indication "Mains On" doesn't glow. Or otherwise, there is no output if mains is not available in the same state. I, myself, think the light of 'Charge' glowing intermittently and indicating that battery is being charged is fake, and battery is not charged. Or otherwise, why is "Mains ON' light is OFF although mains is available, "MCB button" is in ON state? And Why is only "Charge" glows when "Power ON/OFF" switch is in OFF state?

Troubleshooting:
1- I tried turning the "Mains MBC Button" from ON to OFF, and to ON, but the same thing persists.

2- I tried disconnecting all wiring( I disconnected the three core input cable from the incoming AC main socket, but it was still connected to the input socket at the rear of the Home UPS. I disconnected the three core output cable from the output socket at the rear of the Home UPS. I tried setting "Power On/OFF" switch from 'ON' to 'OFF'. After that, did the opposite( connecting all wiring again), Finally, I tried turning the "AC Main socket" to ON. But only the "Backup and ABS Active" lights glowed. 'Mains ON' 'Charge' were still turned off.
3- I tried disconnecting all wiring(As in the setp 2) Then, I only disconnected the black battery wire from the negative terminal of battery. However, the battery red wire was still connected to the positive terminal of battery since one told me that might be fixing the problem due to suspension in the Home UPS. I waited for about half an hour, then when trying to connect battery black wire back to the negative terminal of battery, there was an electric spark which went out while trying to connecting wire to the negative terminal of battery with hearing sound from the UPS. So, I scared that I would be electricity shocked. Is that electric spark normal, and I can continue connecting the line to the battery since all wiring were disconnected except the sensor cable which was still connected to PCB card at the rear of the Home UPS, and is put on the top of a battery.

As a result, do you think that Mains MCB located at the rear of the Home UPS became defective. But when looking at it, I didn't see it was burnt. Also,if it was blown, then I think the Mains MCB no longer controls in bypassing the mains power supply when it is ON.

I have purchased this one Mains MCB (C10), but it is SBG. So, do you think that it would be compatible to my defected Mains MCB? (Screen Shots below): I can disassemble all the Home UPS in order to connect the new MCB or only old MCB should be disassembled?

The old C&S 'Mains MCB' switch- 10C( The current is 10A)

The new SBG 'Mains MCB' switch- 10C( The current is 10A)

 

[GhislainG]

You should not connect or disconnect the batteries while the UPS is powered on if it isn't designed to hot swap batteries. It makes no difference if the switch manufacturer is SBG or C&S, but isn't a 6000A (presuming that's its rating) a bit much for a UPS? What are the specs of the C&S switch? Why not get the UPS fixed by the manufacturer?

 

[a cooperator]

You should not connect or disconnect the batteries while the UPS is powered on if it isn't designed to hot swap batteries. It makes no difference if the switch manufacturer is SBG or C&S, but isn't a 6000A (presuming that's its rating) a bit much for a UPS? What are the specs of the C&S switch? Why not get the UPS fixed by the manufacturer?

Thanks a lot,
I posted about five photos, two of which are my old C&S switch, and the new one. You couldn't have seen them? They will need you to update the page. If you have seen my screen shots of my old C&S "Mains MCB" switch- 10C( The current is 10A)
and my new SBG "Mains MCB" switch- 10C( The current is 10A), you could know if both have 10C, which means that Current is 10A. So, they are compatible. So, why do you mention to a 6000A. The 6000A is not rating since my old one has no such number typed on it. However, the new one has that number of a 6000A.
I don't know why the photos uploaded to my Dropbox account and got embedded here are not displayed quickly.

I disconnected all wiring, and set 'Power ON/OFF' switch to OFF. So, why should not I disconnect and connect the red wire from the positive terminal of battery, and black wire from the negative terminal of battery? I need to do that in order to take the UPS unit to a service center if I couldn't fix the issue with myself.
I will be shocked electrically even if the all wires are disconnected, and "Power ON/OFF" is on OFF. Then, what the electric spark I noticed while connecting back the black wire to negative terminal ??????

I can disassemble all the UPS unit in order to connect new C&S, or only the old one can be disassembled.
My UPS cannot be fixed by the manufacturer since I purchased from a domestic retailer and they did only gave local clients a working guarantee. My UPS unit is 5 months old.

 

[a cooperator]

You should not connect or disconnect the batteries while the UPS is powered on if it isn't designed to hot swap batteries. It makes no difference if the switch manufacturer is SBG or C&S, but isn't a 6000A (presuming that's its rating) a bit much for a UPS? What are the specs of the C&S switch? Why not get the UPS fixed by the manufacturer?

Thanks a lot
Could confirm that you could have seen my screen shots sent before????

I have tried disconnecting battery black wire from the negative terminal of battery, and waited for about a day, and connecting it back. In the first contact for the black wire with the negative terminal of battery while connecting, there was little spark, sound going out from UPS and all lights were lighting. However, then when tried connecting all other wires( connecting the three core input cable to the incoming AC main socket, and the other side was still connected to the input socket at the rear of the Home UPS. I connected the three core output cable to the output socket at the rear of the Home UPS. I tried setting "Power On/OFF" switch from 'OFF' to 'ON'. Then, I tried turning the 'Mains socket' ON.), the same thing still happened. The system is on Backup although mains is available.
The most strange is::::
When "Power ON/OFF" switch is in OFF state, indication "ABS active" doesn't glow. During switch OFF state and mains is available, and system is in bypass mode, and charging is ON although indication "Mains On" doesn't glow. Or otherwise, there is no output if mains is not available in the same state. I, myself, think the light of indication 'Charge' which glows intermittently while only 'Power OF/ON" is OFF is fake, and battery is not charged. Or otherwise, why is "Mains ON' light is OFF although mains is available although C&S "Main MCB" switch is in ON state? And Why is only "Charge" glows when "Power ON/OFF" switch is in OFF state?

The normal way is:
C&S 'Mains MBC" switch is the one who responsible to let the Home UPS is in bypass mode -- to do so, we must set switch to 'ON'. During this case, and mains is available, indication 'Mains On' is ON, and charging is ON. However, system is in bypass whatever 'Power ON/OFF' switch is ON or OFF, Backup is OFF. Or otherwise, there is no output if mains is not available in the same state unless 'Power ON/OFF' switch is ON.

However, after having this issue, I found that " when 'C&S 'Mains MCB" switch is ON, mains is available, indication 'Mains On' is OFF, and charging is OFF if "Power ON/OFF' switch is ON('Backup' light is ON,. During 'Mains MCB' switch is ON, and mains is available, indication 'Mains On' is OFF, and charging is ON if "Power ON/OFF' switch is OFF('Backup' light is OFF), and system is in bypass or otherwise, there is no output if mains is not available and "Power ON/OFF' is OFF, and 'Mains MCB' switch is OFF.

If the C&S 'Mains MCB' switch was defected, then it shouldn't have passed the power when it is setup to ON while mains is available, and 'Power ON/OFF' switch is OFF. That is strange.

 

[GhislainG]

Then the switch is not defective. With such a setup I suggest you get an electrician involved (or get a DVM and start checking the batteries, etc.) If your batteries are not charging, then they won't provide the expected voltage when you disconnect them to measure their output voltage with the DVM (Digital VoltMeter).

 

[a cooperator]

Then the switch is not defective. With such a setup I suggest you get an electrician involved (or get a DVM and start checking the batteries, etc.) If your batteries are not charging, then they won't provide the expected voltage when you disconnect them to measure their output voltage with the DVM (Digital VoltMeter).

Thanks a lot, for your patient.
The Home UPS eventually got working well. Though I the reason which was causing the issue is still ambiguous.
Since Yesterday, I left the Home UPS as it was with the issue which is "when 'C&S 'Mains MCB" switch is ON, mains is available, indication 'Mains On' is OFF, and charging is OFF if "Power ON/OFF' switch is ON('Backup' light is ON,. During 'Mains MCB' switch is ON, and mains is available, indication 'Mains On' is OFF, and charging is ON if "Power ON/OFF' switch is OFF('Backup' light is OFF), and system is in bypass or otherwise, there is no output if mains is not available and "Power ON/OFF' is OFF, and 'Mains MCB' switch is OFF.
When indication 'Charge' got glowing after powering OFF the "Power ON/OFF, although indication 'Mains ON' is OFF, I left it as this settings Yesterday morning. I only guessed to left it as that settings that, however, I was expecting that battery wasn't charging and that 'indication of Charge" glowing intermittently was fake since how it could be real if the "Mains ON" is OFF. However, And after about 19 hours, then when I had a look at the Home UPS, I found the 'Mains ON' glows (ON), and 'Charge' glow continuously since the battery got full charged. However, the Backup is OFF since "Power ON/OFF" switch is OFF. However, when tried turning the "Power ON/OFF" switch ON, while Mains is available, I found that the 'Mains' and 'Charge' lights were still lighting stably. However, the when mains is not available, then Backup got ON automatically. And this is the normal case which it was. I don't know what fixed the error.??????

 

[GhislainG]

If it works then leave it as is.

 

[a cooperator]

If it works then leave it as is.

Yes, it worked for some time well, and surely did leave it.
However, The same issue appeared again(today) although there is mains available with normal power as usual all over the day, and I haven't done anything with it at all. Even I have NOT switched the "Double throw knife switch 2P63A change over switch" by lifting it UP to be on UPS since the mains available so far.

I tried setting "Power ON/OFF' switch to OFF('Backup' light is OFF). So, 'Charge' got glowing intermittently and 'Mains ON' Is OFF while "Power ON/OFF' is OFF, and mains is available, and system is in bypass when mains??????. Should I do this whenever I face this issue??????
I want to understand what is going on to benefit from this experience of mine.
Should I go ahead and try to replace the C&S "MCB Mains" switch?

 

[a cooperator]

If it works then leave it as is.

Hey, pal,
The reason which was causing that behavior(when "Power ON/OFF' switch is OFF to OFF('Backup' light is OFF), 'Charge' gets glowing intermittently and 'Mains ON' Is OFF ) is setting switch 6 to P2 to use it as a UPS.
However, when trying setting it back to P1 as a W-UPS, it was working as the normal way.(no need to switch 'Power ON/OFF' to OFF to let battery get charging.)

However, I need to set up the switch 6 to P2 to use it as a UPS while using my computer powered by Home UPS. Or otherwise, the lamps will be flashing.
Then what is the solution?

 

[GhislainG]

The best solution would be to use your converter for what it's good at and a "real" UPS for your PC. If you can't, then use lamps that are less sensitive when connected to the inverter (incandescent or possibly LED, but you'd need to test). Fluorescent lamps are fairly good at 60 Hz, but flickering is more obvious at 50 Hz.

 

[a cooperator]

The best solution would be to use your converter for what it's good at and a "real" UPS for your PC. If you can't, then use lamps that are less sensitive when connected to the inverter (incandescent or possibly LED, but you'd need to test). Fluorescent lamps are fairly good at 60 Hz, but flickering is more obvious at 50 Hz.

Thanks a lot,
Yes, but if there is an electricity outage occurred, then I will need to set to switch 6 to P2 as UPS while using my computer. However, in order to let the battery get charged, then I will need to set the switch 6 to P1 to use as a W-UPS. But this will be not automatically.

I don't know why when the switch 6 is set to P2 to use it as a UPS, then when mains is available, there is no charge for battery, and the 'Mains ON' is shown as OFF.????????

 

[GhislainG]

That's how they designed it. On the manufacturer's site they promote it as an inverter that can also be used as a UPS, but they don't explain what switch 6 changes electronically in that unit. Did you ever contact them for an explanation?

 

[a cooperator]

That's how they designed it. On the manufacturer's site they promote it as an inverter that can also be used as a UPS, but they don't explain what switch 6 changes electronically in that unit. Did you ever contact them for an explanation?

Thanks a lot,
No, I have never ever contacted them since I don't have their contact?
But only this point needs to be explained. Why when DIP switch 6 is set to P2 as UPS, then I will need to either set switch 6 back to P1 as W-UPS when mains is available, or set the 'Power ON/OFF' to OFF, to get the Battery charged.

 

[GhislainG]

They provide a phone number on the Buy Now page:
Customer Helpline
1800-102-7555