FIOS Battery Backup Unit - Typical Lifespan ONE YEAR? Replacing with rechargeable

[wankerKevin]

I am replacing our BBU for the 3rd time in as many years.  I do not mind replacing it but I would think the battery should last longer unless there is something that is drawing off of it.  I do not remember having that many power outages this past year and the fact that they all seem to quit after 12 months is a bit suspicious.   Is this the typical lifespan for these batteries? 

Also, I am replacing it this time with a rechargeable, hoping I can get a bit more life out of it.  Has anyone had any luck with using a rechargeable?

Thanks,

Kevin

[walt178]

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@wankerKevin wrote:

I am replacing our BBU for the 3rd time in as many years.  I do not mind replacing it but I would think the battery should last longer unless there is something that is drawing off of it.  I do not remember having that many power outages this past year and the fact that they all seem to quit after 12 months is a bit suspicious.   Is this the typical lifespan for these batteries? 

Also, I am replacing it this time with a rechargeable, hoping I can get a bit more life out of it.  Has anyone had any luck with using a rechargeable?

Thanks,

Kevin

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The battery should not fail that fast.  If it does you are using the wrong battery or have a defective BBU.  Since you said you are going to replace it with a rechargeable battery this time, my guess is you have been using the wrong battery.  The recommended battery is a 12-Volt 7.2 Ah SLA Sealed Lead Acid battery, which is a rechargealbe battery.    The Verizon provided model is a GT12080-HG.

Check out Amazon for the best prices.  There is no advantage to buying it from Verizon and it will cost more.  (Verizon even states that you can buy it at other outlets.)

[wankerKevin]

Right. I am going to replace it with a rechargeable battery this time.  I had been using the UB1280(not 12080) 12v 7.2a battery as recommended by Verizon and it has been lasting on average 12 months.

[CRobGauth]

The original battery is a rechargeable. It is the same type that is in your car or in your home UPS (If you have one).

Not sure by what you mean you are getting a rechargeable this time.

And how do you knwo it needs to be replaced.

Does alarm go off?

I would check with support as you may have a bad bbu charger.

[sangs1]

Before you replace it - not that the battery is too expensive - try this. Disconnect the battery for about 30 seconds, then reconnect it. In the past six months I've had the low battery alarm trigger twice - along with the e-mail from FiOS telling me the battery needs to be replaced. However, when I disconnect it, then reconnect, the warning goes away for about three months. Not saying it will definitely work for you, but give it a shot.

[walt178]

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@CRobGauth wrote:

I would check with support as you may have a bad bbu charger.

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I would replace the battery first.   If the battery is bad, it is out of warranty and the user is responsible for replacing it.  If the BBU is bad AND the user has installed an incorrect battery, the user is responsible for repair/replacement of the BBU. In this case an incorrect battery was installed.  So in each case the user pays for the battery.  But installing the right battery before contacting support may avoid having to pay for a BBU if it's bad.

[EJRW]

One quick question, where is your BBU? SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) batteries can be temperamental in extreme heat and/or cold. I live in Texas, so I know the heat part... Anyway, SLA batteries do not charge well below about 40 degrees or above 100 degrees F. My BBU is my garage, where it gets quite hot in the summer. Higher temperatures also shorten life. A neighbor of ours had their BBU "fry" in the garage to the point it melted down (short circuit) and had to be replaced. 

All that being said, I'm on my same battery after 3 years... So only one year does seem awfully short. 

[i_ate_the_tacos]

it is installed inside your home

[LAFios]

FYI ...  When my battery started beeping (dying) I called Verizon to ask about replacement.  They said they do not replace them!  I would have to replace and pay for a new battery "but they're only about $10".   This person also said that it will only give me about 5 hrs of landline OR TV service (can't remember which) and if I have a cell phone than there really is no need.  So I didn't replace it.   Months later when I was in Radio Shack I asked about the battery and the man showed me the $39.99 battery that is "our biggest seller"!  About 10 a week!  Sounds like a scam to me! 

[LunettaZytz]

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@sangs wrote:

Before you replace it - not that the battery is too expensive - try this. Disconnect the battery for about 30 seconds, then reconnect it. In the past six months I've had the low battery alarm trigger twice - along with the e-mail from FiOS telling me the battery needs to be replaced. However, when I disconnect it, then reconnect, the warning goes away for about three months. Not saying it will definitely work for you, but give it a shot.

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I've had the same situation (low battery alarm triggered on a relatively new battery) and have had to disconnect the battery and reconnect. The plastic connector that fits up into the ont unit seems to be the culprit. What is interesting to me is that it happens about every 46 days! (Yes, I'm a tad obsessive). Interesting.