UPS Battery Replacement, APCRBC124 UPS Models BR1500G, BX1500M, BR1300G, SMC1000-2U, SMC1000-2UC, BR1500GI, BX1500G, SMC1000-2U, SMC1000-2UC, and Select Others

This is a long review. I have re-written it based on what I have discovered. Hope it will help you if you have the problem I had. This battery works fine. 5 stars for the battery, not so much for APC customer service. Read on..... I purchased it to replace the original battery in my BR1500G UPS. This UPS, and its original battery, was placed in service in January, 2014. According to the test data sheet that came with it, the UPS itself was tested on 9/9/2013, so it was manufactured sometime in 2013. I have 6 UPS systems because we used to have a lot of brief power interruptions (not as many now, Florida Power and Light has really improved their system, but we still have one or two brief interruptions every few months). These UPS's are located around the house one in our "rack room" where I have our Synology server, cable modem, router, ethernet switches, phone system, Sonos Connect equipment, one at the main Dish Network DVR , and at our 4 iMac/PC's we have around the house. I routinely replace UPS batteries after 3 years, but somehow missed this one. So after 4+ years the battery failed. Exactly how it failed is as follows: one day everything in the rack room was dead. The UPS was off. I turned it back on, and it came on, but there was an "X" over the battery icon. So I ordered this new battery, and installed it. Very easy, just slides in. But after charging for two days the UPS indicated only a 10 minute run time, which I know from experience is not correct. The load on the UPS is 210 watts. So thinking this battery may be defective, I contacted APC customer service via chat. After two chats they told me that my UPS was 5 years old and had reached the end of its life. I was about to order a new UPS, but dug down and read a lot of these reviews. One person mentioned that after replacing the battery it is necessary to run the self test AND run the Power Chute software to reset the "battery replacement date". I have never fooled with the Power Chute software, but after using it I recommend it. I did this, and now the UPS indicates 27 minutes of run time, which my experience tells me is reasonable for this UPS with a load of 210 watts. Unfortunately there is no documentation that says to do this. It is not in the original documents that come with the UPS, nor is it in the battery replacement document that comes with the battery. As well, APC customer service did not tell me to do this. Below are the transcripts of two chat sessions I had with APC support. While I was frustrated that the first person I chatted with did not seem to understand that I was doing a hot swap replacement, and asked me to do a procedure that was not consistent with a hot swap, the real frustration only came later when I came to understand it is necessary to update the battery replacement date in the Power Chute software. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:19:52 PM): Hello Eric, thank you for contacting APC by Schneider Electric, my name is Devi. How may I help you? Me (4/25/2018, 5:24:19 PM): I purchased a new APCRBC124 for my BR1500G because my ups said the battery was bad (an "X" on the battery icon). Hot swapped it because it is being used to protect some servers. After replacement, still have the X. Bought from Amazon (Ships from and sold by Amazon) but it had Australian warranty information!. Do I need to do anything to reset the UPS to get rid of the X on the battery icon? Can't find any instructions on how to do that? I do not want to cause a power failure to my equipment, so need to be careful. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:24:38 PM): I understand your concern. I apologize for the inconvenience caused. I will surely assist you with it. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:24:44 PM): Did you charge the unit for continuous 16 hours before installing ? Me (4/25/2018, 5:25:01 PM): how would you suggest I do that? Devi (4/25/2018, 5:25:41 PM): This issue might have caused due to less charge in the battery. During shipment unit will not be charged completely due to safety issues so, I would request you to charge the battery for 16 hours by keeping the unit off. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:25:51 PM): Once the battery gets charged fully. I would suggest you to perform a self test. Me (4/25/2018, 5:26:15 PM): it is a hot swap, how can i do what you are asking? Devi (4/25/2018, 5:26:47 PM): Yes, it is hot swappable. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:27:00 PM): During shipment unit will not be charged completely due to safety issues. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:27:21 PM): Some batteries need to charge completely first. Me (4/25/2018, 5:28:16 PM): i do not think you understand me. I hot swapped the battery on an in-service ups. how can i charge the battery before i put the ups in service? it is already in service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if i have to take it out of service, what is the point of being able to hot swap a battery replacement? Devi (4/25/2018, 5:29:03 PM): Eric, yes, I understand your concern, install the battery then only charge it for 16 hours, before connecting to equipment. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:29:17 PM): In order to check the battery integrity, I would request you to perform a self test. Me (4/25/2018, 5:31:37 PM): Do you understand that this is an in-service UPS? That I am trying to do a hot-swap to replace the battery? That doing what you are suggesting will defeat the entire idea of being able to do a hot-swap? If so what good is the entire hot swap capability? Devi (4/25/2018, 5:32:02 PM): I understand that ups is in service. You can charge it according to your convinience. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:32:08 PM): it resolves the issue. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:32:17 PM): If you cannot perform at all its okay. Me (4/25/2018, 5:34:22 PM): OK, I will let the battery charge, but I cannot charge it "before connecting to equipment" and I cannot charge it "16 hours keeping the unit off". Devi (4/25/2018, 5:34:29 PM): Also, please try performing the self test The Procedure is : Press the power ON/OFF button until you hear the second beep. The AC plug symbol (ON LINE) flashes off and on during self-test mode. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:34:37 PM): Please make a note that the connected equipment will go off if battery is bad. Me (4/25/2018, 5:35:51 PM): OK, will try this. Tomorrow, after the battery has had time to charge! Will performing the self test remove the "X" that is over the battery icon? Devi (4/25/2018, 5:35:54 PM): Yes. Me (4/25/2018, 5:36:51 PM): Can you comment as to why I received a battery with Australian paperwork? Is Amazon selling these correctly? Devi (4/25/2018, 5:37:11 PM): Eric, I am not sure about that Devi (4/25/2018, 5:37:25 PM): I have to check with the concerned team regarding this. Me (4/25/2018, 5:38:55 PM): Will APC warranty this battery, and if so, how long, and when will the time begin for the warranty. I received it last Wednesday. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:39:06 PM): Yes, as per the serial # and date of purchase proof. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:39:12 PM): You have 1 year of warranty. Me (4/25/2018, 5:40:06 PM): OK. Well, that is about it. I will run self test tomorrow. If I have a problem I will get back then. Thanks, good by. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:40:12 PM): Sure you can get back to me. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:40:22 PM): You are welcome. Devi (4/25/2018, 5:40:27 PM): Have a great day! My comment on the above chat session: The problem with the above chat is not the advice that was given, but the obvious fact that Devi did not seem to understand that I was doing a hot swap, and could not charge the UPS before I connected the equipment to it. If Devi had said that in my case it would be best to just wait a day, letting the battery charge, with the loads connected, I think it would have made more sense. But the battery will charge just the same if the UPS has a load connected, or not, because this is what happens after a power outage: power fails, UPS discharges battery, power comes back on, UPS charges battery while under load. So after charging for two days, I did run the self test, and the "X" over the battery icon went away. So at least that information from Devi was correct! However, after running the self test the UPS shows that it only has a 10 minute run time, and this is with only a 210 watt (24%) load. I have other UPSes with more load than 210 watts that show much greater run time. According to APC (see second chat session below), my UPS is at the end of its life. I purchased the UPS in January 2014, so I got more than 4 years on the original battery, not bad. But, there is nothing wrong with this UPS. As stated above, I just needed to reset the battery replacement date in the Power Chute software which will recalibrate the UPS for the new battery. Here is my second chat for those who might be interested: Monica (4/27/2018, 10:52:15 AM): Hello Eric, thank you for contacting APC by Schneider Electric, my name is Monica. How may I help you? Me (4/27/2018, 11:00:29 AM): I purchased a new battery for my BR1500G UPS. It was purchased from Amazon (Sold by and ships from Amazon). For some reason it came with Australian warranty information. I installed it in my UPS on Wednesday. It has charged in the UPS for two days. The load on the UPS is 210 watts, 24%. The UPS shows the battery run time is only 10 minutes. The battery icon shows full charge. I have run the self test. I have another UPS, a BR1000G that I purchased last November. It's load is 240 watts, 40%, and it shows that it has a 19 minute run time. I believe the new battery I purchased, an APCRBC124, is not working correctly. Monica (4/27/2018, 11:01:54 AM): What is the load connected to the unit? Monica (4/27/2018, 11:04:55 AM): Are we connected? Me (4/27/2018, 11:07:41 AM): sorry, was away from computer for a few minutes Me (4/27/2018, 11:08:02 AM): the load connected is a server Monica (4/27/2018, 11:08:44 AM): please can I have the serial number of ups as on the white bar coded label at the rear/bottom of the unit? Monica (4/27/2018, 11:08:58 AM): of the battery also Me (4/27/2018, 11:09:19 AM): yes, that will take me a few minutes to get....please stand by Monica (4/27/2018, 11:09:41 AM): sure Me (4/27/2018, 11:13:25 AM): UPS serial 381337X00901 battery serial number is 7A1808L14856 Monica (4/27/2018, 11:21:03 AM): Thank you Monica (4/27/2018, 11:21:20 AM): I think the problem is with the unit and not battery Monica (4/27/2018, 11:21:31 AM): The life of unit is 5-6 years Monica (4/27/2018, 11:21:48 AM): your unit is quite old so the battery cannot be used efficiently Me (4/27/2018, 11:21:56 AM): it is new 4 years ago Monica (4/27/2018, 11:22:09 AM): 381337X00901 is 2013 year of manufacture Monica (4/27/2018, 11:22:21 AM): when was this unit purchased? Me (4/27/2018, 11:25:56 AM): purchased from amazon January of 2014, but test paper that came with it shows it was tested on 9/9/2013 Monica (4/27/2018, 11:27:19 AM): okay Monica (4/27/2018, 11:27:26 AM): The unit is out of warrabty Monica (4/27/2018, 11:27:34 AM): You will have to replace the unit Monica (4/27/2018, 11:27:56 AM): You can put the new batteries in any other identical unit to test if they are good Monica (4/27/2018, 11:28:11 AM): in case the battery is faulty then I can replace it for you Me (4/27/2018, 11:30:59 AM): ok. I will test the battery in another unit. Me (4/27/2018, 11:32:14 AM): why did battery come with Australian warranty info. Is amazon selling these properly? Monica (4/27/2018, 11:33:04 AM): That is not a problem, 7A1808L14856 is serial number Monica (4/27/2018, 11:33:11 AM): that will have 1 year warranty Me (4/27/2018, 11:33:26 AM): ok,thanks Monica (4/27/2018, 11:33:33 AM): welcome Monica (4/27/2018, 11:33:38 AM): Have a nice day:) Me (4/27/2018, 11:33:52 AM): ok, take care, bye Clearly, there was no mention of recalibrating the battery by telling the UPS the battery had been replaced (using the Power Chute software).

My APC BR1500 Owners Manual stated the APCRBC124 to be the replacement for my UPS. This battery is exactly what was expected. My UPS reported the installed battery had outlived its life, and should be replaced. This battery slid perfectly into place, once the old one was removed. The whole process was done during a "hot swap", and as I didn't have any fluctuations in my mains during the process, none of the equipment connected to the UPS had a single issue. During the swapping process, was able to compare the old battery (some six to eight years old now) with this replacement, which compared identically, and went into my APC easily. Since my APC UPS has to be turned on its side to access the battery compartment, once it was righted, after the replacement, the unit instantly recognized the replacement, and at full charge. I was rather perplexed with the decision to buy a "generic" battery, or this APC manufactured battery. Considering the generics can be almost half the price, but, my APC has always used the APC brand, and its always given me, IMHO, the best service, and life expectancy has always been within what APC has predicted. APC also states that they rigorously test their batteries beforehand, and I figure thats more than worth the price increase from buying a generic, not to mention, I've never had one of their batteries explode, leak, or swell. You have, from what I've seen, about three companies who make personal / home / small office UPS units, APC being a long standing one of them, you've already invested $200 - $400 in a UPS unit, spending $150 on a replacement battery, every six to eight years, is a small price to pay for its continued insurance of protection.

Drop in Replacement for my APC BX1500G UPS. Was able to swap in the battery in less than 5 minutes, without having to do any disassembly or wiring. At the same exact time I purchased this battery for my APC UPS, I also purchased a set of batteries for my Cyber Power UPS. I expected the battery replacement to be just as easy as my APC UPS, as I only sell APC Battery Backups to my clients, so thats all I was used to, but because when I needed a new UPS in my house the APC's were sold out at the time, so I bought a nice Cyber Power one, thinking that it would probably be fine, and it turns out it was just fine that Cyber Power UPS actually performed its job just as well as all my APC's did. But after about 4 years in service the battery did finally die, so I looked into it and purchased Comaptible batteries for my CyberPower UPS, which was actually 2 batteries wired together in series. But, I thought for sure it would be just a drop in replacement like the APC, where you just pull out the old battery and then slide in the new one, maybe plug in the battery, and you are done. But NOPE, on the CyberPower you actually have to first pull out the old battery, then carefully peel off the tape that connects the 2 batteries together, because the new battery doesn't come with tape you have to be extra careful when peeling off the tape so that you can reuse it, but that isn't the only headache, you then have to carefully document what wires went where, disconnect those wires off the old battery, then carefully wire the new batteries the same exact way, then you have to carefully put the tape back on it, then carefully slide it in without the weight of the batteries pulling the batteries apart, and then once you do finally got it back in and wired properly, only then can you seal up the side and put it back in use. So all I am trying to say is, I now have a new appreciation for how much easier a battery replacement is on an APC Product, since they literally just slide right in, they only go in one way, and they connect as they slide in, so you don't even have to deal with any wires. For that reason I am going to stick with APC going forward, and I can confirm that this replacement battery will work perfectly, at least in the BX1500G.

About five years had elapsed since purchasing the APC UPS. Too long for the battery, it turned out. Last power outage I had only a few minutes left of back-up juice, not enough to be of use. Ordered a replacement ASAP. Replacement is easy, though the lead-acid battery is a bit heavy and unwieldy. Biggest challenge was getting the cover off the battery compartment. It had not been opened since I installed the original. APC recommends replacement every three years. Considering my backups are on 24/7/365 I'd say that is fair. Price is OK, too. BTW, the battery comes fully charged. Just slip it in and go.

Fit fine. Replaced the one I bought in 2020...not bad 5 years of use.

This battery pack is a direct replacement for my APC Back-UPS model NS 1250. Easy to install!

Our front desk APC UPS had been sitting unused for a couple of years—just acting as a surge protector—because it wouldn’t stop beeping. I wasn’t sure when it was originally purchased (it came with the office when I took over), but I assumed it had just reached the end of its life. After some recent power outages, I started shopping for a new backup system when I discovered this replacement battery. I’m so glad I did. It was extremely easy to install, and once swapped in, the UPS powered right back up and has been working perfectly. It now functions just like new—without the cost of a whole new unit. If you’ve got an older APC unit that still looks physically fine, this battery might be all you need. I saved over $100 and extended the life of our equipment with a quick and simple fix.

Did as expected. Good battery pack replacement.