UPS battery replacement or upgrading - anyone substitute or only use recommended?

[tankman1989]

I have a UPS that needs 4 batteries. 12v 17AH or BP12-17 and they are out of stock in a lot of places, shipping is pretty expensive as well.

The thing is that I can find some 12v deep cycle batteries that are about the same price but almost 2-2.5x the amp hours (this means that the system will run for 2-2.5x longer when power is out). Now the problem is that these won't fit in the unit, so I'll have to rig this and get the appropriate connections, which is not a big deal. I really don't need them to be sealed (those are used so there is no spillage if turned on side - they have one way vents in them to allow gas - hydrogen - to escape if overcharged).

So, does anyone have any special secrets when it comes to UPS batteries? I'm wondering if I really need deep cycle in the first place. This is a 2200 watt 3000VA unit and it will be drawing 1000w max, and I know they aren't going to be discharged very often. I haven't had a full discharge ever - the longest was probably 60-90 seconds in the last 10 years.

So, what do you all think?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I stick with the "real deal" instead of mickey mousing it.....use some off-brand el cheapo battery and the power goes out and the APC isn't able to do its job correctly...and client finds out you used sub-par replacements....your in a pickle with that client.

 

[tankman1989]

I stick with the "real deal" instead of mickey mousing it.....use some off-brand el cheapo battery and the power goes out and the APC isn't able to do its job correctly...and client finds out you used sub-par replacements....your in a pickle with that client.

Were this a client and if the system were critical it would be different, but that's not the case. I agree with you in your scenario though.