How to change UPS battery (a simple way)

In this article, we’re going to talk about how to change UPS battery. Actually I’m just a regular people who doesn’t expert in this field, but I just want to share about my experience changing UPS battery, specifically APC RS 500 type of UPS. Hopefully it will help!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Asset-1-300x238.png

At first, we thought that it will be difficult and needs a complex electronic knowledge to change UPS battery. In fact, it is necessary to know about electronic knowledge, because we don’t want something to blow up all of a sudden, but it’s not that complex.

It will be easier if your UPS come from popular brand. The battery is widely sold on the online store, and there are a lot of tutorials about changing the battery. So you can do it by yourself, and save every pennies.

The hardest part of it, might be hunting the suitable battery that fit your UPS.

With a little effort to disassemble, browse for information, and discuss to online store seller who sold UPS battery, you can get suitable battery for your UPS.

Disclaimer: Important. Make sure you know what you’re doing. If you completely have no idea, or not sure, or have a little time, don’t do it. Please hand it over to the expert, to the service center. Because electronic device such as UPS battery could be dangerous if not taken carefully or replaced to incompatible component.

Step 1. Know your UPS

Check the UPS type that’s written in UPS body. In my case, it is APC RS 500 BR500CI. It turns out that it’s a very popular unit, that the spare parts are sold everywhere, mainly on online store.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ups-014.jpg — APC RS 500

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Asset-3-276x300.png — It’s kinda tricky to find battery information. Because it’s confusing. The easiest way is by asking the seller whether it will suitable to your UPS and mentioning the UPS type.

In most cases, manufacturer doesn’t give a clear description about battery type on the manual book (because they want us to bring it to them). So try to find out by browsing (make sure you get it from trusted source), and cross check from several sources.

Step 2. Disassemble the UPS to ensure the battery type

Let’s disassemble the UPS, and see the battery type. Prepare a screwdriver.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Asset-2-300x275.png — Disassemble!

These are the steps to disassemble the UPS:

a. Pull battery connector out.

Notice that behind the UPS, there’s a yellow rectangle that reads “battery connector”. You have to pull it out to cut out the connection between battery and UPS.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ups-001.jpg — There’s a yellow rectangle on the back of the UPS.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ups-002.jpg — It stick tightly, you will need a screwdriver to open it.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ups-003.jpg — So it will be detached.

Make sure the battery connector is completely detached. Remove it from the slot. Don’t let it hang in the slot. Place it on the holder above the slot (see in image below).

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ups-004.jpg — Then begin loosen the bolt in the back of the UPS.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ups-005.jpg — And loosen the bolt under the front panel.

After that, you could detached the front panel.

Lay the UPS down, there’ll be another two more bolts that needs to be removed.

The battery is visible now (that one that connected to red and black cable). Remove the cable from the battery.

The battery has been removed from the UPS.

It turns out that the battery comes from brand called CSB . On the battery, there’s a lot of code such as MH14533(n) and UPS 12360 6 F2.

If you familiar with electronics concept, you might get the suitable battery for your UPS by only knowing the battery type. You could find another choice that will fit, or even do modification to the battery.

Because I’m just a regular people, that have no understanding in electronics concept, I will find the exactly the same battery.

Step 3. Buy a replacement battery

Try to find trusted online store on Amazon or eBay. Find the store that has good reputation and responsive. Ask the seller whether the battery will fit to your UPS. There’s a fake battery out there, so you have to make sure that the battery is the original one.
FYI, UPS battery is pretty heavy. So, the shipping fee will cost quite expensive. So you could go to offline store if it near to your place.

When you get the battery, let’s change it now.

My new battery. A bit different to mine before. Look at the positive terminal, it’s red.

Connect the battery connector. The red cable is the positive one, and the black one is the negative one. Put each cable to the end of terminal. There’s a clear description written on the battery, + and – mark. Even in my new battery, the positive terminal is marked in red.