Replacing battery backup on Gateway

[rasmith745]

I have ATT uverse and have a battery backup unit in the basement.  The light is blinking red which means that I need to replace the battery.  I am getting the run around on how to replace the battery.  Has anybody had to do this?  AT&T gave a number to call but that service wants the model number of the battery which I can't find.  I have a 2wire battery backup unit.

[my thoughts · Accepted solution]

According to the Uverse Terms Of Service (TOS) the company provides the initial battery with the battery backup unit (BBU). You are responsible for determining when to replace and the actual replacement of the battery.

If you have either the black or grey Belkin unit used with 2WIRE 3600, 3800, 3801. Open the door on back of power supply (a lip), slide the battery out and remove the 2 wires from battery. Attach RED and Black wires to positive/negative posts, slide battery in, replace door, snaps shut.

http://www.belkin.com/us/gatewaybattery/

If you have the 3812 inid with i38HG indoor unit you would have a i38PS power supply unit the size of a white 2 slice toaster. Need to remove front panel be removing two screws (one one each side) and unplug the connector. Remove battery, install new battery, reconnect, install cover panel, secure with two screws.

http://www.fibersafebattery.com/replacement.aspx

The purpose of the Battery Backup Unit is to provide up to 4 hours of VOIP (phone) service in the event of a power failure. If you no longer have Uverse VOIP just remove the battery and be done.

[rasmith745]

Thank you for your quick response.  I have the one that looks like a toaster.  

[RCSMG]

I got a new RG that has the battery backup inside of the gateway.  It is a lot smaller than the big gray one.

[Familyofjoy]

So we have the big rectangle 2wire battery box. Our data cable, etc run from it. It's roughly the size of the aforementioned toaster.

So you said its to provide emergency voice in the event of an outage.   If it dies completely before i get it replaced, you mean our internet and tv will still work? 

And by removing screws on the sides i can access and remove the battery?

I accessed the server using the address on the front and it says we have 72 hours left.  Power light is green, battery light is red. 

[skeeterintexas]

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@Familyofjoy wrote:

So we have the big rectangle 2wire battery box. Our data cable, etc run from it. It's roughly the size of the aforementioned toaster.

So you said its to provide emergency voice in the event of an outage.   If it dies completely before i get it replaced, you mean our internet and tv will still work? 

And by removing screws on the sides i can access and remove the battery?

I accessed the server using the address on the front and it says we have 72 hours left.  Power light is green, battery light is red. 

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The battery backup provides POWER to the RG during a power outage. 

You'll have internet access if you have a battery powered laptop and TV will only work if it has a battery or other alternate power source (generator).

I've had power outages and the BBU kicked in.  I was able to access the internet on my laptop (via the laptop battery) but no TV because I had no alternate power source for the TV itself.

And remember that any cordless phones (power required) will not work during a power outage.  This is a good reason to have at least one corded phone in your home since it requires no power source. 

[Familyofjoy]

Right. I understand that about the power outage.

Let me clarify. 

If it takes several days to get a replacement battery here, and the battery uses the last of its reserve, will our services still function as long as we leave the box plugged in? 7-10 days for delivery , combined with less than 72 hours of battery life = making sure we're not going to lose tv and internet.  

[skeeterintexas]

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@Familyofjoy wrote:

Right. I understand that about the power outage.

Let me clarify. 

If it takes several days to get a replacement battery here, and the battery uses the last of its reserve, will our services still function as long as we leave the box plugged in? 7-10 days for delivery , combined with less than 72 hours of battery life = making sure we're not going to lose tv and internet.  

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If you have power, then yes, everything will function.  The BBU only functions if there is a power outage.  You could unplug your modem from the BBU and plug it directly into an outlet/power strip.

You are not required to HAVE a BBU if you don't want it.  I have the BBU but when it dies, I'm so cheap, I'm not sure I'll replace it.  I won't have function on my modem during a power outage but I'll survive.

[ozziemotto]

What is the cause if I have replaced the battery on the toaster size BBC and the power and battery lights are both flashing red.

[ponycarfan]

I have a separate battery backup for the base station of my cordless phone system.  Each cordless phone has a battery, also.

[ponycarfan]

My BBU is plugged into a battery backup.  The battery light on the gateway is off, so I assume the battery in the BBU is dead?  The light on the BBU is still green.  I've only had the BBU for two years, seems like a very short life, especially when it hasn't had to actually provide backup.

[skeeterintexas]

Which modem/RG do you have?  Are you referring to the BBU originally provided by ATT?

FYI:  The information on this thread is dated.