Old UPS

[bigtiller]

Our uninterruptable power source [UPS] is worn out so we bought a new one.

So how do we dispose of the old one?

 

[Gee Ray]

I would think the store where you purchased the new one could recycle it. Or they could tell you where to take it.

 

[MossRoad]

Many towns have an E-recycling center or drop-off. Some places, like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, etc., have appliance and electronic drop-off days.

If anything, take the batteries out and take them to a place like Batteries Plus.

Should be able to find something around your area.

 

[BravoXray]

You said it was worn out, but I'll bet the batteries were bad, which can be replaced on every UPS I've ever seen. I have one that's about 20 years old, and on it's 3rd set of batteries.

 

[dlctcg]

As MossRoad stated if you look up E-recycling centers in your area they will take them... also I believe Best Buy has a nation wide recycling center policy...

 

[JasperFrank]

Goodwill will take it. They have buyers set up for stuff like this to go into the recycling. When I was involved, I traced them to local Portland area recycles that had good reps and the batteries were locally processed back to new ones. But that was four years ago.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Sell it or pass it on. The battery(ies) can be replaced.

 

[bigtiller]

I punched up E-recycling center and found that Best Buy recycles a bunch of stuff for free. So that's what I'll do.

Funny thing, the new one had instructions on how to slide the cover off and plug the battery into the unit. The battery even had 2 handles making it easy to lift it enough to access the connection.

The battery cover on the old one was screwed in place and warnings galore not to remove the cover, no serviceable parts, electrified even when unplugged, etc.

 

[JethroB]

I remember the first UPS I purchased in the early 90’s. It was to support an IBM mid-range computer at work. 7 KVA set to 220 volts. It held ten lawnmower size batteries that we replaced every 2-3 years and was larger than a two drawer filing cabinet. What a monster.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I punched up E-recycling center and found that Best Buy recycles a bunch of stuff for free. So that's what I'll do.

Funny thing, the new one had instructions on how to slide the cover off and plug the battery into the unit. The battery even had 2 handles making it easy to lift it enough to access the connection.

The battery cover on the old one was screwed in place and warnings galore not to remove the cover, no serviceable parts, electrified even when unplugged, etc.

Ya, the earlier models where when the OEMs didn't want you replacing the batteries and you just tossed them. Now-a-days with stricter regulations they were pretty much forced to allow you to replace and recycle and label it as so. But you definately could and can replace the battery on the old one.

 

[Oaktree]

Sell it or pass it on. The battery(ies) can be replaced.

They usually can...but...a new battery is often close to the cost of a new UPS, and cheap no-name batteries may or may not work well. Lesson learned hard way.
That having been said, I generally replace batteries when I can, old ones go to the scrap dealer.

 

[grsthegreat]

I put in a UPS at a govt facility last week. It was the exact replacement for a 10 year old system that was smoking batteries. APC Symmetra 16kw x 100 amp system with 3 supplemental battery arrays. Each supplimental unit holds 12 50 pound battries. The main unit holds 4 power supplies and 4 batteries. Whole thing needs a forklift to move. I have no idea how you recycle the old batteries. Ill let them worry about it. I didnt take pics of exact units, but these are the unit pics i found online. I bet its crazy expensive, and yet only gives about 4 hours of down time. Leave it to the govt.

 

[5030]

Take it out back, fill it full of bullet holes and toss it in the rubbish. Issue solved.

 

[JimRB]

Where I live I can order batteries from Battery Plus. $60-80 to replace batteries in a little $120-150 UPS. Even the single battery units can get a new battery. Old batteries go to the local scrap metal recycle location for cash in my pocket. Even the "big" APC unit that takes 80 12v8 batteries is just a long day of battery swapping. At least those have units that hot swap in and out when changing batteries inside the hot swap cartridges. If I really need to scrap one because it is eating and smoking batteries the batteries go out for lead recycling. Power cord comes out for copper recycling. The transformer pays ok for scrap and I pull out brass to recycle. Not much goes to the garbage pile. Or I could be lazy and take it to the e-cycle company in town.

 

[dstig1]

Yep - Best Buy. I just did the same thing with our old UPS, for free. We're talking home consumer size not commercial here, but it is still heavy...

 

[5030]

My UPS is a diesel powered 30 KW standby gen set with a vacuum transfer switch. Runs off my diesel bulk tank next to the farm shop.

 

[Oaktree]

My UPS is a diesel powered 30 KW standby gen set with a vacuum transfer switch. Runs off my diesel bulk tank next to the farm shop.

Not really a UPS. A UPS would keep everything up for the time it took the generator to start up, stabilize and transfer. Probably not that big of a deal at a home or farm, but for a commercial site with servers, etc. it makes a big difference.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've been able to gift to friends units only needing batteries and also have good battery prices but policy is to change out after so many years.

Once had a runaway unit past warranty and company sent free replacement on condition they get the old one back for failure analysis...

Should be getting some sine wave UPS next year after swapping out ...

 

[bigtiller]

I've been able to gift to friends units only needing batteries and also have good battery prices but policy is to change out after so many years.

Once had a runaway unit past warranty and company sent free replacement on condition they get the old one back for failure analysis...

Should be getting some sine wave UPS next year after swapping out ...

I priced some of the new sine wave UPS's. They get pricey fast. Maybe that will change in a year or so, after the new wears off and the old stock is sold.

 

[grsthegreat]

I had 2 office ups’s go out last month. Well, when power failed they would power computer for about 5 seconds. I priced out new batteries, good ones not amazon chinese wonders, and purchased 2 new sine wave units instead. The old units were over 5 years old, and i just dont want to risk it. Ill probably replace batteries in one and use it out in my shop