APC Back-UPS BE650G1 Battery Backup and Surge Protector

Byer Beware

Buyer beware this is an outdated UPS Backup. The one I received was defective as it was boxed 8 years ago

Shows a yellow light instead of green when power is switched on.

Bigger and heavier than expected. Very strong battery smell. Not compact. Didn’t like that out of 8 outlets only 4 are battery protected. Also no usb port. The Black Battery cable is very hard to connect and I have had three other APC models before and never had this issue. Directions are needed on what to do when the light is yellow instead of green after turning the power button on because the battery is suppose to come fully charged upon arrival.

“On the APC Back-UPS 650VA, a yellow/amber light typically indicates one of these conditions:

Battery needs replacement - Most common cause when the unit is aging

Self-test failure - The UPS detected an internal problem during its automatic test

Low battery charge - If it's been running on battery power or recently lost power

Based on customer experiences, if you're getting a yellow light along with beeping, the battery likely needs replacement (APC replacement battery Model RBC17). If it's a new unit, try letting it charge for 8-24 hours plugged into the wall.”

Charging for 24 hrs does not change the light from yellow to green. Reconnecting the black battery cable doesn’t change the yellow light to green. Expected better when the price tag is 100$. I also didn’t like having only one option for return-ups drop off with label and box. What happened to ups pickup? Will be returning.

HappyUser

June 14, 2025

So, You Think You Don't Need One?

Where I live, power outages are a regular thing, especially during high temperature power drains in summer or A-N-Y type of other weather extreme.

Just purchased an APC® Model BE650G1 after a catastrophe. In the past, I was too cheap to buy this level of protection, and frankly, thought I didn't need it.

Anyway, this unit will be in my home office FOR AS LONG AS I AM ALIVE, connecting a: 1) BRAND NEW Windows 11 Pro PC desktop [tower] computer, 2) a 32" LCD monitor, 3) a fiber-optic modem, and 4) a DECO® "mesh" router, to the "BATTERY BACKUP/SURGE PROTECTION" side ... and a network "Hub", a TABLOtv®, and an HP Laserjet printer, to the "SURGE PROTECTION ONLY" side.

NOTES:

1) The instructions say to charge the battery for 16 hours, but I would suggest a FULL 24 HOURS, to condition the battery. ALWAYS plug-in the APC® unit DIRECTLY to a 3-prong wall plug (NO extension cords, strips, etc!).

2) I mentioned Windows 11 because of the included "PowerChute®" setup software. First, connect the included USB cable to the APC® unit, and to your computer. Have your devices plugged-in to the chosen outlets, and make sure the unit is "On" (green light). Then install the software.

3) Your unit was shipped with a CD in the box - DON'T USE IT! Download the latest "FULL" version from the APC® website. (Check for Windows versions compatibility).

4) The "PowerChute®" software is GREAT! It lets you choose all types of "shutdown" options and displays battery statistics - including a log! This software is not necessary for your unit to function perfectly, but it makes no sense not to utilize it.

IMPORTANT! Make sure the software appears in your Windows "Startup" programs!

5) This unit contains Surge Protection for any network or cable connection that uses an "RJ-45" jack. Fortunately, if you have a "Fiber Optic" connection, surge protection is unnecessary, that is why there are no connection jacks for optics.

TESTING:

I have not done a total "Rundown" test to see how long the battery will last, but the results of the "pull out the plug" tests I have run, showed the battery engaged and powered my four devices WITHOUT A FLICKER, and the software did EXACTLY what I had chosen for it to do!

CONCLUSION: Why don't you have one of these? I know TOO well! I can't speak to durability or longevity since it's been functioning less than a week, but after reading MANY reviews on this and other "backup battery" solutions, APC won hands-down.

Worked fine for years, but SAF design that there is no alarm silence button

Worked fine for years, kept my home server computer powered-up through short power-outages and gave me time to do an orderly shutdown for longer ones.

However, the battery recently failed (dropped to 56% capacity) and the alarm goes off continuously with no method to silence it. The online help says the APC software can silence it via the USB connection, but only on Windoze and I'm running Linux. And there's obviously non-computer applications for these too, so WTH were they thinking? There's a Linux util (apcupsd) that is suppose to work, but disabling the alarm doesn't work (most of the rest of the util works, that's how I know the battery was at 56%). Regardless, it is HORRIFIC engineering to design a piece of equipment with an alarm that cannot be silenced -- EPIC FAIL. They should all be fired. I'm a Control Systems Engineer and if I ever built a machine with an alarm that could not be silenced (and all our machines have alarms), I would be exiled from the site with somebody's boot in my *ss.

For a product designed for small installations and home use, this is beyond stupid. Fortunately my EE background allowed me to open the box, identify the buzzer and remove it with my trusty soldering iron. I doubt the average consumer (or even a significant percentage of them) would put that kind of effort into it.

Used or Returned?

I'm hoping the test slip is from APC, or just because it was returned. If I just bought a refurbished or used item, I will not be happy. Also, I added a stock photo for clarity on which UPS I purchased; I've seen photos of two different units in this thread of comments.

Set up was easy, everything is plugged in and seems to be working.

I've had APC UPS protectors before, and have been happy with them. I've replaced the battery in old units, and replaced the entire unit (like this time) when it was just old and "ready" for replacement.

Item just purchased: APC UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector, 600VA/300 Watts, BE600M1 with USB Charger Port

Refund

There is not sufficient voltage on this battery. It is defective and does not work.

Product defective - won’t allow returns!

I received this product and have been trying to troubleshoot. Product appeared to be refurbished and is not working or completely defective. Battery squeals when plugged in and the reset button doesn’t work. Unable to return due to “hazmat” policy. No way to contact seller to resolve and keep getting rerouted to dead end for customer service and company that sold! VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED. Do not waste your money…I have been trying to resolve since receiving the defective product.

0:15

APC UPS Product Failed After Only 33 Days

This APC UPS Battery Backup Surge Protector, BE650G1 Surge Protector with Battery Backup failed after only 33 days, just 2 days outside of the return window.

Mforest3

January 24, 2024

Works perfectly!

I needed a backup battery for my cpu because the last power surge fried my hd so it cost me a pretty penny to replace it and my IT guy recommended this battery to protect my computer so I got it and it’s already paid for itself by protecting my computer during the last blackout. I had an alarm that warns you when it’s triggered and it slowly shuts down power so you have time to close whatever you’re working on without loosing your work and you can then shut down your computer safely. I love it and it’s worth every penny! Highly recommended if you have a computer, it will save you a lot of 💵💰

This product arrived damaged

This product arrived with it's ground plug totally damaged. Unfortunately I opened it from the original box after the return window had closed, so I can't return it.

Power enough for Garage Door Opener Backup?

I ordered this to see if it had enough output to function as a backup for my garage door opener. This is one of the smaller APC units at 390W output, so it was a crap shoot if it would drive the opener’s 1/3 HP motor. I mounted it securely above the motor unit on a wooden tray. Killed the power to the garage and clicked the button. It worked! The APC was bleeping in protest nearly all the way up, but it got the job done with a full up and down cycle, and the lights (LED bulbs) stayed on throughout. Certainly good enough to un-trap a vehicle stranded by a power outage. You saw it here first, people! :-)

Ethernet speed limited to 100Mbps...

Download speeds are limited to 100Mbps when routing your ethernet connection through this UPS.

I connected directly to my router and speed dramatically increased to reflect the capability of my 1000/100Mbps card.

Kinda upset, but it works.

Have a strong feeling that i got refurbished device. Box looks too used, QA test is from April 2019, ups case looks like it was opened, no smell of the new device. But it works. Mixed feelings.

Eddie R Lopez

January 7, 2019

Good For CPAP W/Humidifier

I'm using this unit exclusively for use with my Resmed S9 CPAP humidifier combo. Haven't had any power outages yet but I've tested the battery by simply unplugging from wall while CPAP was on. Since I'm only using the battery back-up for CPAP I get the maximum run time of about 1.5 hours before the APC completely drains. Only gave 4 stars pending longevity of unit. Will update accordingly

Grumple Dumple

July 6, 2016

Very Happy With It So Far!

For a long time I didn't understand that any given Back-UPS unit is going to keep any given PC (and more) up and running if a power outage were to occur. When I finally came to understand that fact I settled on this particular Back-UPS model. (I based my decision to buy it on the many positive reviews for it.) I connected the battery wire inside of it and then I hooked the unit up to my Desktop PC by way of the USB cord that came with it. There wasn't a CD software disk provided with mine (and I assume there wasn't supposed to be one) but I did locate and download from the APC website the particular edition software that works with it. I installed the software without a problem. I immediately went into the settings and disabled all the alarms inasmuch as I don't want to be inconvenienced by them going off. I have not had a power outage yet so I don't really know that this unit is going to do what it is supposed to; however, all indications are that all is well with it. If there is anything of value to add to this review after the fact, I will post it. I am not disappointed so far.

Edit (July 8th, 2016): Today we had a power outage (lasting a few hours) and the unit did exactly as I was hoping it would. Only my desktop pc was plugged into it at the time and when the outage occurred the pc stayed up and running. It allowed me to turn off the computer in the normal manner. The battery recharged back to 100%. I love this thing! Glad I bought it.

Don't put it under your desk!

This UPS works fine and the software was easy to download and install. The software allows you to create settings to safely shut down the computer if the battery starts to run low during a power outage. However, there is a stupid design flaw that is an issue. The UPS has a power switch that requires a feather touch to activate. If you bump the switch and turn the UPS off, all power to the battery backup outlets immediately goes off and you create your own blackout. The problem is the location of the switch, on a top corner of the UPS. In my case this was the corner nearest my foot under the desk. I had put the UPS under the desk and to the side so that all the power cords for the computer, monitor, modem, etc. could reach it. At the least, the switch needs a safety cap. Better yet, it needs to be recessed and have a safety cap over it. I have included a picture showing what my foot found within just a few hours of installing the UPS. I am now trying to figure out a place to put it out of foot range but within reach of the power cords.

Missing critical features

APC does not tell you that some very important features are stripped from this unit (BE550G). The PowerChute software which works with APC UPS normally displays the output load (i.e. how many watts are being drawn by the devices which are connected to the battery-backup outlets) and also the estimated battery time at this load. However with the BE550G this information isn't provided on the "Current Status" screen - all you will see is two blank lines near the bottom of the page.

So you essentially have zero visibility into how much battery capacity you're using and how long your equipment would stay powered up during an outage. I don't really see the point of having a UPS if I can't size it & my load to figure out how much runtime I'll get during an outage.

I called APC support and they were initially puzzled by this problem. After asking around, the tech gave me the bad news that current load & backup time information wasn't available on the "models below the BE750G" although I didn't really get a clear answer as to whether or not this problem affected the BE750G as well.

If you're not planning to connect this unit via USB to a PC and use PowerChute, then this problem won't affect you; but I'll be returning it and buying a Tripp Lite instead.