What make multi meter have you got then isc, obviously one that load tests the battery just like the act ones?

And how does your multi meter record the capacity?

Tea belly, you avoid maintenance therefore you have a non approved system and no discount on your insurance then?

ACT's Unit is fine, however when you put a brand new 7amp under load and get a reading if between 8 and 9 Amps it makes you wonder as to its usefulness.

Big Jig

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I think that the reason for that is that it is very difficult to create a battery with an exact capacity, so in order to ensure that batteries perform to their spac, good manufacturers will slightly overcompensate rather than have underperforming batteries.

What make multi meter have you got then isc, obviously one that load tests the battery just like the act testers?

And how does your multi meter record the capacity?

Tea belly, you avoid maintenance therefore you have a non approved system and no discount on your insurance then?

Edited January 21, 200521 yr by kipper

Tea belly, you avoid maintenance therefore you have a non approved system and no discount on your insurance then?

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I think there was some discount for having an alarm and more if you had maintenance. The max discount for most companies is about 20% so I'd save £50 a year currently. Burglars don't know whether your alarm is maintained or not

How much do yearly maintenance contracts cost anyway? I keep looking for price lists on various securith company websites and having no luck. A vague idea would be nice

I think there was some discount for having an alarm and more if you had maintenance. The max discount for most companies is about 20% so I'd save £50 a year currently.  Burglars don't know whether your alarm is maintained or not 

How much do yearly maintenance contracts cost anyway? I keep looking for price lists on various securith company websites and having no luck. A vague idea would be nice 

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The first time you call someone out that you don't have a maintenece contract with, you will pay, probably more than £50. If it's in the middle of the night, expect to pay up to and over £100, if you can get someone out at all.

If your alarm is under a maintenance contract, you will be entitled to 24 hour response, at a rate you will have been informed of when taking the contract.

My point is, although you've saved yourself £50 a year, (roughly the cost of a maintanece contract) you will pay through the nose when (not if) you need an engineer.

The cost of maintenance could be offset against your insurance saving.

Well put Bri!

I think there was some discount for having an alarm and more if you had maintenance. The max discount for most companies is about 20% so I'd save £50 a year currently.  Burglars don't know whether your alarm is maintained or not 

How much do yearly maintenance contracts cost anyway? I keep looking for price lists on various securith company websites and having no luck. A vague idea would be nice 

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I am a Service Engineer, I recently moved into a new house and the other day I got a letter from the company who installed the bells only system into my house. In the letter (which was worded as though I already had a maint contract and this was a simple process of continuing for another year) it stated that if I were using the alarm sytem to gain a discount on my house insurance then they would have to maintain it (they don't know what I do for a living). I called them anyway just to find out how much they are charging for a service. £45 + VAT or £52. Why would I want to pay for a maint serivce which would cost the same amount as the reduction in my insurance?? If I leave the house and forget to set the alarm and I get broken into then my insurance is invalid!

I can see why people don't bother to get their alarms serviced.

Anyway, the panel was installed in the entrance hall about 50cm from the front door and definately visible from outside the protected premises - as far as I'm concerned the alarm sytem doesn't comply with BS anyway becuase of this reason so doesn't that make a mockery of the whole thing???

* am i shooting myself in the foot here?? *

Edited January 21, 200521 yr by ALSEC

I am a Service Engineer, 

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And you're asking......?!

Why would I want to pay for a maint serivce which would cost the same amount as the reduction in my insurance?? If I leave the house and forget to set the alarm and I get broken into then my insurance is invalid!

I can see why people don't bother to get their alarms serviced.

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The checking of an alarm is called PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE!!!

A faulty battery, gone unchecked, can permenantly damage a control panel.

A faulty sensor, gone unchecked, could leave a room/s unprotected.

* am i shooting myself in the foot here?? *

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If your alarm system does not comply with BS and the company that installed it is an inspectorate approved company get them to make it comply with BS.

I would guess it was sold as an approved installation in which case you could open up a whallopping huge can of worms.

Dont forget though that if you pop your head up you may get it shot off.

Me thinks ENG reply sums up the level of how serious I should take his "the last 3 talk a lot of sh@)(" comment.

I do not mind if he backed it up with an inteligent reply that supported his comment but his picture points to someone who is angry with life.

Also why does the moderator allow members to post inflamitory pictures

or am I just an oldtimer at heart ?

I hope my comments do noy liven up this debate