Tripp Lite SmartPro and SmartOnline battery replacement: cartridges, steps and warnings

A Tripp Lite SMART1500LCD takes one RBC1500 cartridge and a SMART1200LCD one RBC1200; the SMART1500LCDT takes two RBC51. Tripp Lite says to unplug and turn off these units before replacing the battery. The SmartOnline SU750 to SU3000 rack/tower models are different: the battery can be replaced without shutting down, but never in Battery mode.

This guide follows Tripp Lite’s owner’s manuals for the SmartPro LCD, SmartPro, LCDT-series and SmartOnline SU750 to SU3000 models. Other models are in their own manuals.

Which battery your Tripp Lite takes

Every manual gives the same rule: replace the batteries with the same number and type, sealed lead-acid. Where the manual names no part number, Tripp Lite points to its online battery finder to locate the replacement for your UPS. SmartPro and SmartOnline battery packs are listed by model.

SmartPro LCD and LCDT: the steps in outline

Tripp Lite’s SmartPro LCD manual describes a short swap from the bottom of the unit; read its battery warnings first:

1. Unplug and turn off the UPS.
2. Remove the retaining screw on the bottom of the unit and pull the bottom panel away.
3. Disconnect the red (positive) and black (negative) connectors and remove the old battery.
4. Place the new battery, connect red to red and black to black, then refit the panel and its screw.

The LCDT-series models open from the front instead: remove the screw at the bottom of the front panel, pull the panel away, remove the battery support bar, then pull out and disconnect the two old cartridges. Connect the new ones exactly as the old ones were, red connectors together and black connectors together, then refit the support bar and the panel.

Tripp Lite’s manuals say replacement should be done by qualified personnel, and warn that batteries can present a risk of electrical shock and burns from high short-circuit current. Do not open the batteries, do not short the terminals, and use tools with insulated handles.

SmartOnline: a hot swap, with one rule

Tripp Lite’s SmartOnline manual says the batteries can be replaced without turning off the UPS or disconnecting the load, with one capital-letter warning: do not disconnect the batteries while the UPS is in Battery mode. If you prefer, shut the UPS down first. The manual also says to remove watches, rings and other metal objects, wear rubber gloves and boots, use insulated tools, and keep anyone not qualified away. Its general precautions also say to disconnect the charging source before connecting or disconnecting battery terminals. The internal pack is heavy and comes out from the front:

1. Remove the centre cover of the front panel, slide the left cover to the right and open the battery door.
2. Disconnect the battery connectors. Do not pull on or disconnect the ribbon cable to the LCD panel.
3. Remove the two screws of the metal protection cover and slide the pack out by its handle, supporting it with two hands.
4. Check that the new pack has the same rating, push it in firmly and reconnect the red and black connectors.
5. Check that all alarms have cleared on the display, then refit the cover and the front panel.

Extended battery packs are replaced by unplugging their power and detection cables from the UPS. Tripp Lite notes that a small amount of arcing may occur when a pack is connected, which is normal; insert the cable quickly and firmly. Lifting a pack into a rack takes two people.

When the battery is due

• SmartPro: if the BATTERY WARNING light stays on after a self-test, Tripp Lite says to let the UPS recharge for 12 hours and test again; if it is still on, contact Tripp Lite for service.
• LCDT series: the REPLACE BATTERY icon lights when the battery is weak and requires replacement; if the self-test fails, charge 12 hours and repeat it; if it fails again, Tripp Lite says to contact it for replacement options.
• SmartOnline: Tripp Lite gives the batteries a 3 to 5 year service life and recommends replacing them at least every 4 years; it notes that life is divided by 2 for each 10 °C above 25 °C.

For what each beep and light means, see our Tripp Lite alarm guide.

Storage and recharge

A stored UPS loses charge. Tripp Lite’s SmartPro LCD manual says to recharge the batteries every three months, for 4 to 6 hours, and warns that batteries left discharged for a long time suffer a permanent loss of capacity. The SmartOnline manual says to recharge every 6 months; its batteries reach 90% in less than 3 hours, but the manual recommends 24 hours after long-term storage.

Recycling

Tripp Lite’s batteries are sealed lead-acid and recyclable: refer to your local codes for disposal, and never put them in a fire. For another brand, see CyberPower UPS battery replacement. For the rest of the maintenance picture, see multi-brand UPS maintenance, and for three-phase units the Tripp Lite three-phase UPS reference.

When to call a technician

• The battery warning stays on after a full recharge and a second self-test.
• The unit is a SmartOnline in a rack and nobody on site is trained to work on batteries.
• Alarms do not clear on a SmartOnline after the new pack is connected.
• The battery case is damaged or leaking.

We replace Tripp Lite batteries across Canada: see battery replacement or contact us at 438-800-0382.

Frequently asked questions

What battery does a Tripp Lite SMART1500LCD take?

One Tripp Lite RBC1500 replacement battery cartridge, per the SmartPro LCD owner’s manual. The SMART1200LCD takes an RBC1200.

How many batteries does a SMART1500LCDT take?

Two Tripp Lite RBC51 replacement battery cartridges, per the LCDT-series owner’s manual.

Can I replace a Tripp Lite SmartOnline battery without turning it off?

Yes, for the SU750 to SU3000 rack/tower models: their manual says the batteries can be replaced without turning off the UPS or disconnecting the load, but not while the UPS is in Battery mode.

How often should Tripp Lite UPS batteries be replaced?

For the SmartOnline series, Tripp Lite gives a 3 to 5 year service life and recommends replacement at least every 4 years; heat shortens it.

What should I do if the SmartPro battery warning stays on?

Let the UPS recharge for 12 hours and run the self-test again. If the warning stays on, contact Tripp Lite for service.

Sources

1. Tripp Lite, SmartPro LCD owner’s manual (SMART1200LCD, SMART1500LCD, SMART1500LCDXL).
2. Tripp Lite, LCDT-series owner’s manual (SMART1500LCDT, OMNI1500LCDT, SMART1300LCDT).
3. Tripp Lite, SmartPro and SmartPro XL owner’s manual (SMART1050, SMART1500, SMART1500XL).
4. Tripp Lite by Eaton, SmartOnline Series manual 614-21325 (SU750 to SU3000RTXLCD2U).