Somebody recently pressed the PA button on the alarm. I have reset the button but the panel has frozen. I have removed the power and the battery and tried the reset procedures i have read on the website, still no joy.

when the power and battery are disconnected the alarm in the outside bell box activates although this is now only a very faint noise.the battery in the panel has a reading of 6volts when not conneted to the mains but reads 12.5 volts when connected.

Do you think that the panel battery is u/s or is it just the battery in the bell box that is the problem and would the bell box battery cause the panel problem.

ps. what type of battery is in the bell box

if anybody could shed any light on the above it would me much appreciated

Change the battery.

Deep down, you knew that didnt you?

I thought as much but it was the second opinion i needed.

can you tell me if you think the both batteries need to be changed and is the battery in the bell box the same type as the as the one in the panel.

for quick reply

Change the one in the panel first - a 12v 3Ah will do.

Power up and connect new battery, leave it for a day or so then remove the bell+ ,this will test the battery in the external sounder - if it sounds OK with bell + removed then no further action needed. If not then either fit a new battery (6 or 8v nicad depending on bell box type) or just replace the whole bell box.

Get it serviced!