This is the first time I have posted here, but I am having problems with my Optima XM6 alarm that was installed in our house by the previous occupants.

Yesterday we had a power outage, and the alarm went off, and didn't stop for about 45 minutes. (when the power came back on). The control box was dead during this time, so I was unable to stop the alarm. I assume this is due to a dead battery, as we have never changed it, and we've been in the house for 5 years.

While the alarm was sounding, it made some unusual sounds at times, as if it was struggling, and the light wasn't flashing, Would this indicate the battery in the bell box is on it's last legs as well, or is this due to the battery being dead in the control panel ?

Before this event, we have been experiencing a loud buzzing noise coming from the control panel (for probably a year), which appears to be coming from what I believe is a transformer in the centre right of the box. Does anyone know what could be causing this ? Could it be a faulty transformer, or is it just due to the dead battery again.

If anyone has an electronic copy of the Optima XM6 manual, please could you e-mail it to me, as we never had a manual from the previous people that lived in the house?

Thanks,

Peter

The rechargeable battery on the panel needs to be changed.

Also from the sounds of things the external bell doesn't have a 20 minute cut off timer fitted( This is a legal requirement, and the local environmental health officer has the power to enter your property and silence the alarm if you were not in attendance passing on all costs directly to you and possibly even imposing a fine of up to £5000.)

The strobe will be powered from the alarm control box, so if it has no power, it wont work.

I would suggest that you change the battery in the panel first and see if the other faults still exist and indeed if the panel still charges the new battery. If all is okay with this I would consider purchasing a new bell box complete with battery and timer.

A local alarm company should be able to advise you further or you could purchase a battery and fit it yourself.

Colin.

Thanks for the reply, and the manual (by e-mail).

Is the 20minute cut off controlled by the bell box, or the control panel ?

I will get a new battery for the control panel. This may be obvious, but is there any way of knowing if the battery is being recharged. (how long will the battery keep it's charge if it's not being recharged, and the power remains on ?)

Any thoughts on the buzzing noise ?

Thanks.

Sorry, one further question. What battery is the XM6 supposed to take ? The one in it at the moment is a Yuasa NP2.1-12, 12V 2.1Ah. Is this correct ?

Thanks.

Some further information, I have just looked at the large resistor under the keypad, and it appears to have burnt out. Having read other threads, does this mean that my recharging circuit will not work anymore ? If so, can it be repaired, or will I require a new control box ?

Regards,

Peter.

looks as though the battery charging circuit has been trying to charge a bad battery for a while.

This is one of the reasons that us installers reccomend that a system is maintained at least once a year.

Best course of action all round i think is fit a new panel,bell and battery.

You could buy the bits from some where like TLC or CPC or if you let us know what part of the country you are in, I am sure one of the guys on the forum would be able to sort you out.

Colin.

I think I have a very similar problem with my Optima XM6 - controle panel completely dead and large resistor under keypad is burnt out. Therefore I guess I too will need a new battery and panel. I'm not sure what TLC or CPC are. Can anyone help me with where I can get these parts? I live in Sheffield, UK.

Thanks,

Phil.

TLC Electrical Distributor

CPC Electronic equipment supplier

These links will help.