Hot neutral in UPS devices in battery mode

This was more complicated than I thought. The APC web site says

While "On Battery," safety agencies ... require the UPS input connections to be disconnected from the utility input to prevent "backfeed" power/voltage from the UPS batteries being applied to the UPS input terminals. Because the Neutral must also include this "backfeed" protection ..., the output Neutral to Ground voltage will "float" to approx half the voltage between output Line & Neutral. For a 230Vac system, the N-GND voltage can be 115Vac.

They don't want you to backfeed so you don't electrocute the workers trying to fix things.

APC goes on to say:

If the UPS output must have a N-GND connection for zero volts while the UPS is "On Battery," an output isolation transformer must be attached to the UPS output so that a new N-GND connection can be made without creating a ground loop.

If it were my equipment, I would open it up and connect neutral and ground, with an interlock so you have to be physically disconnected from the mains to make the connection.

Another idea is to have a transfer switch such as is used with a generator. When the circuit is to be powered from the generator, you are physically disconnected from the mains. If you wire it correctly you could have the N-GND connection with a transfer switch. This is not a UPS but it will keep you from blowing up your equipment.

I think your best bet is to get the isolation transformer. It would not be as much fun as reworking the equipment but it also won't void your warranty.