Guest Jim77 Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 Sorry, this isn't a tip or trick but a question - from someone who knows very little about his alarm. My alarm gets its power from the downstairs lighting circuit. When I cut the power to this circuit the alarm sounds (externally only). Is it likely that this alarm is being powered by a battery in the alarm box, and that the problem is really that the backup battery in my control panel is dead? The system is nearly 10 years old and it's the original battery. Thanks for your help Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gazzerdaman Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 Hi Jim I had exactly the same problem, everytime i turned the electricity off, alarm sounded. The battery in the control panel is probably knacked - so when the power goes off, the bell box no longer recieves a hold off voltage and activates using its backup battery. If you've got a multimeter,measure the voltage across the terminals - it should be about 13.8v. If it starts to drop or is less than 12 the battery has had it. Gary PS: Also check to see if theres a fuse on the control panel circuit board, as the charging fuse may have blown too. Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB_ Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 You should DEFINATELY replace the battery at least every 4 years and even more often if it's in a hot environment, i think i heard somewhere that if it's kept in a room at 25 degrees C, it reduces its lifespam by about 33%. P.S 85% of statistics are made up on the spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinefwr Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 After 10 years I think you should invest in a new battery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Service Engineer Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 I have to agree with JB, replace the control panel battery every 4 years (5 years tops). Ive had to replace batteries as often as every 2 years, when the control panel has been fitted in an airing cupboard. Hot locations can drastically reduce the batteries lifespan. ........................................................ Dave Partridge (Romec Service Engineer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim77 Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Great replies, thanks everyone, one more question please. To fit the new battery safely is it just a question of ... go into Engineer Programming mode (which presumably will stop the alarm from sounding?) mains power off remove old battery insert new power on back to 'Day' mode? It's an Optima XL6. Thanks again for your help Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB_ Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Not really any need to power down the panel just to swap a battery, just make sure you get the leads the right way around. Most important of all, make sure you dont catch the SET button when putting the lid back on (d'oh!) as this will crash the panel back to factory defaults. Which has happened to me MANY a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim77 Posted May 25, 2003 Share Posted May 25, 2003 OK Thanks! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinefwr Posted June 7, 2003 Share Posted June 7, 2003 I get people every day on my group asking whats wrong with my panel, 9 time out of 10, the battery is 10 years old! They wonder why the system goes off all the time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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