Weird problem with CQR Multibox Sounder and DSC 1864

[privatesam]

 

I'm seeking advice about why my external sounder may be malfunctioning. 

Several years ago I installed a DSC Powerseries alarm panel with some zone expanders and an output expander PC5204. 

I opted for the PC5204 because I was concerned about the amount of amps the external sounder, internal sounder and strobes would pull when the system was in alarm. 

Installation was fine and the system functioned fine. 

We haven't had need to set the alarm for a few years but recently I decided to double check it was all working ok and noticed that the external sounder no longer was functioning correctly. The external sounder is a CQR Multibox Plus. 

The problem is I can't get the sounder to trigger at all except for when I remove the hold up voltage and then it is obviously using the internal battery.  I assumed that the trigger wire had corroded or something so got the ladder out went up and used one of the unused wires (8 core) at the box to connect a new trigger wire - I used a tone tester on the new wire to check it worked.  I noticed when I went up the ladder to remove the cover but with the Hold Off voltage still applied that the sounder went off because I obviously tripped the tamper switch - so by all accounts the multibox is functioning ok.  Anyway I put everything back together - ran some tests and it was working.  A few days later I decided to double check and its not working again!  I decided to change the wiring at the panel end and see what happens if I wired the sounder to the DSC1864 main panel instead of the 5204 but had the same problem.  Its very annoying because every time I remove the Hold Off + voltage the sounder goes off so there's nothing wrong with the actual bell bit and the strobe works and is triggered fine.  Could there be a malfunction with the trigger terminal on the Multibox?  Is there some quirk to sounders that some experts here could suggest. 

Here is my current wiring breakdown with Multibox directly on to 1864 panel:

CQR Multibox ------ DSC 1864

Trig -------- Bell -

STB  -------- PGM2

RTN  -------- Zone 7

Hold Off -  -----------  AU -

Hold Off + ----------- Bell +

Here was my wiring which was working into the PC5204:

CQR Multibox ------ PC5204

Trig -------- PGM3

STB  -------- PGM2

RTN  -------- Zone 7

Hold Off -  -----------  BLK

Hold Off + ----------- Aux+

 

I've attached pictures below to help illustrate and adding links to full manauls.  Any help gratefully received!

 

Here is the full PC5204 manual:

https://cms.dsc.com/download.php?t=1&id=16978

Here is the full multibox manual:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxrZ6glh1lA4WWpIeGF1T3duQ1k/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-ABBXRukm_a2O7VVrDwBV-w

Here is the full DSC 1864 manual:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxrZ6glh1lA4b25hY05ZN1J4Nlk/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-yRDTDFKU9IzTdyTqfXja1w

[james.wilson]

Have you confirmed the voltage across hold off + and bell trigger is > 12v when triggered.

If so id suggest a faulty bell

[privatesam]

I've use my multimeter on DC and popped the positive on the hold off + and the negative on the bell trigger and it registers as >12v with or without the system in alarm.  Could this be indicative of something?  (thanks for your reply btw)

[MrHappy]

2 hours ago, privatesam said:

The external sounder is a CQR Multibox Plus. 

 

g3 needs resistors for trigger monitoring ect...

 

the values stated in the book might not be quite right for your controls

 

[privatesam]

2 hours ago, MrHappy said:

 

g3 needs resistors for trigger monitoring ect...

 

the values stated in the book might not be quite right for your controls

 

Interesting but there's no reference to resistors in the manual and to be honest I'm not trying to monitor for faults on trigger or anything - I'm simply looking to see if I can activate the sounder.  I have even tried simply touching the trigger wire at the panel end on to the aux - just to try and activate the sounder but nothing. 

[james.wilson]

if there is 12v across the Bell trig and hold off pos and 12v across hold off pod and beg it should be sounding.

there shouldn't be 12v across ho pos and Bell trig normally

you dont need the resistoer looking at your image as you have trigger monitoring enabled

[MrHappy]

2 hours ago, privatesam said:

Interesting but there's no reference to resistors in the manual and to be honest I'm not trying to monitor for faults on trigger or anything - I'm simply looking to see if I can activate the sounder.  I have even tried simply touching the trigger wire at the panel end on to the aux - just to try and activate the sounder but nothing. 

 

I doubt the plus version will work without resistors-

 

 

then again what would I know-

 

 

[james.wilson]

Ah are you thinking pull up resistor? 

[MrHappy]

37 minutes ago, james.wilson said:

Ah are you thinking pull up resistor? 

 

I'm thinking new controls & new bell...