Rebatterize bulging batteried APC UPS?

[Buzz]

Have an older APC Back UPS Pro 650 (approx $300 when new in its day, line interactive w/ boost and trim AVR), which would now basically be between the Smart UPS 620 and 750... anyhow, the battery is bulging a bit, and will need to be somewhat forcefully extricated, as it won't slide through the frame on its own. The battery in it is an APC brand replacement, but will go w/ a (less costly) Gruber if it makes sense to re-up it again. The case needs to be opened, and the battery pried through the frame to make room for a another replacement. It's been a good unit when the battery is good. My rule of thumb is three batteries before tossing the UPS, so this one (and its brother) each have one life left. I get a little nervous prying on batteries, especially ones w/ the heavy metal frames and cases... the plastic ones seem to be more forgiving when it comes to battery removal.

So, attempt it (w/ Baby Buzz's help) and put a Gruber in? or take it to the local Batteries Plus store, and pay a bit more and have them attempt it and put one of their batteries in if it survives the pry? or recycle as is, because those "permanently" sealed batteries sometimes really do explode when pried out of a sturdy metal frame and it's been through two batteries already, and who knows what kind of shape the electronics are really in? We also have two plastic enclosure APC units (w/ supposedly lesser electronics) that take similar batteries, so was looking for the quantity discount on batteries and shipping.

Thanks,
Buzz
==

[Black]

Aww, go ahead and pry . . .
I had good luck with Gruber in the distant past but also very good luck with Batterymart-- the latter may be cheaper with cheaper shipping.
I think this is yours:
http://www.batterymart.com/p-12v-12ah-se...ttery.html

[olnacl]

I had a similar dilemma with an older APC. After removing the cover, I wound up drilling out a couple rivets from the frame to get the swollen battery out and then used pop rivets to put it together again. You may find a similar solution rather than forcing the battery out.

[Buzz]

For some reason, they make (made? ) the $300 units heavier duty than the $200 units... I was/am trying to avoid drilling or breaking the frame if possible. I had a similar unit probably 7-8 years ago, that when I tried to extract the battery after opening the case, I munched the electronics when the pry bar slipped... that's kinda why I had the Batteries Plus store option listed.