As the crisp air moves in and the trees start to show off their fall colors, there’s something else that tends to drop this time of year — and it shouldn’t be your battery voltage.
Just like seasonal maintenance around your home, your critical power systems deserve a little autumn check-in too. Batteries don’t fail overnight; they fade slowly, quietly, and usually at the worst possible time. Whether you manage a data center, a telecom site, or industrial backup systems, catching those early signs of battery decline can save you major headaches (and downtime).
So grab your pumpkin spice latte and let’s talk about what to look for — and what to do if your batteries are starting to say, “I’m tired.”
How to Spot a Failing Battery
Here are some signs that show that your batteries might be on their way out:
1. Shorter runtimes.
If your UPS or DC system used to give you a longer runtime but now it has shortened significantly, that’s your first red flag. Every year your battery ages it loses about 2-3% capacity (capacity directly affects runtime). But when you see a larger drop in runtime, say a 20% reduction, then it’s time to start really paying attention.
2. Frequent alarms or warning lights.
Beeping, flashing, amber lights — your system is trying to tell you something. Don’t ignore it. Login to your systems monitoring software or check your comm card to see what’s going on.
3. Unstable voltage readings.
If your voltage drops too quickly under load or fluctuates more than usual, your cells may be losing capacity. You won’t know this if you don’t have a battery monitoring system (BATM). The BATM system will monitor continuously so you’ll know the second the voltage readings are out of whack.
4. Physical damage.
Look for bulging casings, corrosion around terminals, or any leaks. Even slight swelling means it’s time to act. If you’re seeing physical signs of wear like this, its so important you act quickly because when you see these signs your battery is already well past its replacement time.
5. Environmental stress.
Extreme temperatures are battery killers. If your battery room feels more like a sauna than a server space, expect shorter lifespans. The ideal temperature for a data center room is 70-74 degrees.
6. Age.
Most sealed lead-acid or VRLA batteries last about 3–5 years. If yours are past that mark, it’s time for testing or replacement.
What to Do When You Notice These Signs
Run a professional inspection.
Call in a technician to perform a visual check and conduct capacity testing. A battery may look okay but still be on its last cycle. Even if you have a battery monitoring system, you should be performing preventative maintenance checks on your BATM system. Our technicians can bring a load bank to your facility and do load testing. This will truly gauge the health of your batteries by showing you how they react when they need to operate with a load.
Check your specs.
Compare actual runtime to what your system was designed for. If you’ve lost 20% or more, replacement is likely around the corner.
Review your environment.
Make sure the space is temperature-controlled, dry, and well-ventilated. A few degrees difference can cut lifespan significantly.
Add monitoring if you haven’t already.
Real-time battery monitoring lets you track voltage, internal resistance, and temperature trends long before a failure occurs. These systems often pay for themselves after preventing just one outage. When you know your batteries are healthy, you can rest easy knowing that when power is lost, your system won’t be—your batteries will do their job and carry the load.
Plan for replacement before it’s critical.
Waiting for total failure isn’t a strategy — it’s an outage waiting to happen. Proactive replacement is always more cost-effective than reactive downtime. It’s also worth noting that not all batteries are immediately available. While some models are in stock, others can have lead times of four to six weeks. Imagine experiencing an outage, discovering your batteries have failed, and then learning replacements won’t arrive for a month — that’s a nightmare scenario. Planning ahead prevents it.
Why Fall Is the Perfect Time for a Battery Check
Autumn brings stable, cooler temps — the ideal environment for testing. But don’t let the mild weather fool you; batteries often mask degradation when the air is cool, only to fail during the next power surge or cold snap.
Plus, year-end is coming. Many organizations use Q4 to finalize budgets, plan upgrades, or schedule maintenance before winter storms and holiday staffing slow things down. A battery audit now means fewer surprises later.
Stay Powered with PTI Solutions
At Predictive Technology, Inc., we help businesses stay ahead of power problems through critical battery monitoring, maintenance, and replacement solutions. Our goal? To make sure your power systems stay strong — no matter the season.
If you’ve noticed any of the warning signs above (or just want peace of mind before winter), reach out to our team. We’ll assess your current system, identify potential risks, and ensure your batteries are ready for whatever comes next.
Because the leaves can fall — but your battery voltage shouldn’t.
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