How To Replace & Upgrade Your APC Smart UPS Battery
Contents
We’re not going to be too harsh on APC for its high battery prices, as replacement units for its SMT/SUA 1400 and 1500 “Smart-UPS” systems include a bunch of hardware that you just don’t get with most other brands of sealed lead-acid batteries. Yet we’re just going to say upfront that if you already have a dead UPS battery, you already have the additional parts you need to convert a basic unit of the same dimensions. And not sticking to the original equipment supplier also opens buyers up to the possibility of upgrades, which is what we did here.
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-01.webp)
This is the older of two units we decided to revive and upgrade to deal with our power needs in light of the more-frequent severe whether experienced locally: The other, shown here, started showing battery errors after 10 years, though its runtime had been noticeably decreasing for nearly two. Eight years seems reasonable for trouble-free lead-acid battery operation.
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-02.webp)
Replacement starts with pulling off the snap-on face panel. APC provides a finger grip on each side to ease the process, though using it that way requires tough fingers.
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-03.webp)
A structural panel behind the plastic face keeps the battery pack from shifting around. Two screws at the top and hooks at the bottom keep it secure.
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-04.webp)
The hooks at the bottom of the front panel allow it to tilt forward and act as a tray upon which the original battery can be slid out of the backup unit’s main casing.
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-05.webp)
APC normally tapes a pull tab to the bottom of its battery to help it slide out, but the one on this unit tore off. We grabbed it by hooking a finger on an edge of its central cover.
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-06.webp)
Sliding the battery pack out of the way reveals a two-pin slip connector. These connectors are unlatched and slip apart with modest force.
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-07.webp)
The APC RBC7 battery pack is revealed in all its glory. A crease down the side sheds some light upon the secret its additional components conceal…
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-08.webp)
The ~$160 RBC7 battery pack consists of two ~$40 SP12-18 (12-volt, 18 amp-hour) batteries, a fused bridge, a power connector, and two terminal covers. The batteries are stuck together using double-sided adhesive foam sheet, and the terminal covers are attached with the same adhesive foam. Running a knife under each side of the terminal covers will cut the foam, though one should avoid the center so as not to cut its plastic rib (or short the terminals).
![](https://pcinq.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/APC-UPS-Battery-Replacement-09.webp)
Anyone careless enough to have discarded their original battery without removing the power connector or fused bridge can find a set for around $20 on eBay.