APC 3000v UPS any use?

zag2me

zag2me

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I have a couple of old APC 3000v UPS's sitting in my workshop without any use at the moment.

image_tphfkd.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/APC-Smart-UPS-SMT3000RM2U-3000VA-System/dp/B004F0BD2K

Can it be used in anyway for a Powerwall or backup solution with li-ion cells?
 
A UPS and an inverter is basically the same thing and depending on the respective models share up to 100% of their features. You can use any DC source to power the UPS and just need to find out its specifications. If this thing runs on 24V or 48V then lithium cells will work pretty good. I doubt that a unit of this size runs on 12V, but if it does, then lithium cells aren't really suitable.
 
That means nothing, you want to know the input voltage :)

Do you have a complete unit with original batteries? Look inside what kind of batteries are used and how they are wired up.
 
DarkRaven said:
A UPS and an inverter is basically the same thing and depending on the respective models share up to 100% of their features. You can use any DC source to power the UPS and just need to find out its specifications. If this thing runs on 24V or 48V then lithium cells will work pretty good. I doubt that a unit of this size runs on 12V, but if it does, then lithium cells aren't really suitable.
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You usually need to make a few mods, such as cooling, and the ability to run/start without an AC source.
 
Most of the bigger ones are 48v

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zag2me, those ups's will have 1 or 2 replaceable lead acid battery packs. just yank them out the front and i imagine they should have their DC voltage written on them :)
 
The replacement battery cartridge should be a RBC43. A lot of people just buy the official APC replacement cartridge for easy swap out.
Some places sell battery "kits" though which is just a set of 8 x 12v SLA batteries to go into the cartridge.

Some sites list the replacement RBC43 as a 12v battery, but that's not correct. That's just the voltage of each of the 8 internal batteries.

Your UPS should have 2 sets of 4 in series with these 2 sets connected in parallel for a total of 48v. If the batteries aren't dead, you could test the voltage with a multimeter. Otherwise there might be a wiring schematic on the underside of the metal cartridge lid, or you can just look at the wiring to work it out (or post photos of how the batteries are linked together here and someone will be able to tell you)
 
Ive got 4 different server size UPS units and they unfortunately all use 96 - 104v DC.


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I had a look around our storage area and found a similiar (or identical, don't know)APC 3000 Model, this is what the battery cartridge looks like:

image_zdsdaj.jpg


It is indeed a 48V configuration. This is also the space you have available when putting in lithium cells (assuming you want to keep the 2U form factor), the rest of the unit is full of other stuff like two chunky transformers.

There are one or two things you should consider. They have been mentioned before, but I'll repeat because this is important.
Some of these units don't startwithout an AC input. And if you have the AC connected then it will charge its batteries from the mains. Obviously it is build for lead acid batteries so it can't charge lithium cells. Well, it can, but it isn't advisable, effective or safe.
The good thing, 48V is perfect for a 14S lithium battery.
 
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