Well, frankly, I am disappointed in Tripp-Lite for how they have worded that. It makes it seem as if you have to send it in for battery replacement even after the warranty has expired and that is simply NOT true.
It uses SLA batteries and SLA batteries typically MUST be replaced every 3 to 4 years. For that reason, I don't find it ironic you can find replacement batteries. I think it simply makes sense.
I am okay with it voiding the warranty if you open the case before the 3 years is up. But after that, I say, do it yourself - especially since replacement batteries are available. And if you look at those replacement batteries, you will see they are standard 12V 7.2Ah SLA batteries with what looks like F2 connectors. You can measure them to verify (see
here).
If you shop around, you can find replacement batteries much cheaper than that $50 on Amazon. And note you don't have to get 7.2Ah. You can increase the battery run time with batteries rated with a higher Ah (amp-hour) value. For example, you can use 7.6, 8.0 or even 9Ah batteries. I have done that on all my UPS with no problems. The only critical thing is, they must be the same voltage. In this case, 12V (many UPS use 6V). And of course, they must fit inside the battery compartment - but most SLA batteries come in standard sizes, and typically post their dimensions too.
For example, note these
12V 7.6Ah batteries at $30 for two.
And FTR, I never - as in NEVER EVER buy replacement batteries from the UPS maker because they cost more for the exact same thing. And I am careful about sites selling batteries that claim to be for a specific model (like your example - note the image is fuzzy so you cannot see the amp-hour specs!
) as they often jack up the price just because they pre-bundle the cells into a set for you. That's a rip-off too.
Look at this:
two 12V 9Ah batteries that also say they are for your UPS for $40.95 And these have a 2 year warranty too. And this company sells each cell separately for $20.95 so they give you a little discount for the set.
When I am ready, I shop the web and figure out who has the best prices
that day. Prices change often from place to place and prices vary widely. Some charge more but offer free or reduced shipping. Some charge less but charge for shipping. So be sure to factor in shipping when shopping.I have an UPS on my home theater setup too. And all my computers.
Tripp-Lite is starting to make it that the end user cannot replace the battery theirself, because they want to have total control over their hardware, when it comes to making sure that if something goes wrong, or that they spot a part inside the unit that is bad, they can take care of it for you.
No. That is just marketing propaganda written by their legal department. Ford wants you to only buy Ford oil and Ford filters and only have the oil changes done at the Ford dealer too. But you don't have to.
In fact, here is a
Tripp-Lite video on how to access the batteries.