Old unused UPS: good or doorstop?

[Axtman]

Today while cleaning up, I dug up an old (2005) uninterrupted power supply (APS Back-UPS 350).  I got it as a Christmas present but never used it.  It has never been opened or plugged in.  Do you supposed that it is still good?  Do batteries last long unused?

Thanks!
David

[denelec]

The battery is probably dead.
But you should try it anyway.
If the battery is dead, a new one cost $15.99 on Amazon.com. 
http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Battery-APC-Back-UPS/dp/B006X98A7C

A new 350VA UPS cost about $45.  So don't spend too much for the battery.

I bought a Back-UPS 350 in 2006 for my PVR.  On a 30W load, the battery lasted about 30 minutes.
This UPS is probably too small for a desktop computer. But it would be great for a router, a modem or a PVR.

[Seekonk]

I get a lot of old UPS from our town dump recycling.  Don't know how emotionally attached you are to this one.  They are a good source of 60V 50+ A FETs.  I've built my whole solsr home system out of them.

[Red Squirrel]

There's a local electrical shop here that sells various size batteries for a really good price, like under 20 bucks.  I would check local electrical distributors or maybe even alarm companies.

If not, UPSes have lot of fun parts inside.  I actually use the transformers as door stops, they look cool and are heavy.    May find some nice beefy capacitors in there too.

[divelectservices]

Try shaking the battery...if you hear any rattling...it is junk.
We have about 100 UPS units where I work and I have some that the batteries are over 3 years old and work fine and others that seem to fail every few months.

I take apart all the old/defective units and salvage everything I can.
Lots of nice FET's. relays. connectors, heavy-duty power cord, switches, etc inside.

The transformer is not very useful unless you want to rewind it or salvage the copper wire from it.