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-   -   Smoke alarms (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-non-villages-discussion-93/smoke-alarms-299957/)

Bay Kid 11-16-2019 08:49 AM

Smoke alarms
 
Why do smoke alarm batteries do small beeps, at different intervals, when the battery is dying? Never the same time between beeps. Stand around and wait for the next beep. The search for the dying battery! Why not a steady beep?!?

retiredguy123 11-16-2019 09:06 AM

The short beeps indicate a low battery, and can beep for days. If it was a continuous beep, the battery would die completely in a short time, and you would not know it was dead.

Marathon Man 11-16-2019 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1695525)
The short beeps indicate a low battery, and can beep for days. If it was a continuous beep, the battery would die completely in a short time, and you would not know it was dead.

Good answer.

champion6 11-16-2019 09:39 AM

Download and read the user guide. It explains the various patterns of beeps. Been there, done that. Be aware that one of the patterns indicates that the device has failed.

villagetinker 11-16-2019 10:08 AM

IMHO, if you are getting the 3 beep pattern (indicates a problem with the sensor and needs to be replaced) I would replace ALL of the smoke detectors at the same time. My reasoning, they are all the same age, and will probably all fail around the same time, I would rather do this once every 7 years or so than have to replace individual alarms over a 1 or so. Also, there are CO2 at the bedrooms, these need to be replaced by CO2 detectors according to building codes. Lowe's has a builders pack of smoke detectors that saves a few dollars over buying separate units. The CO2 units cost more than twice as much as plain smoke detectors. If you take one unit off and take it to Lowe's they can match with exact units which make replacement a breeze.
Hope this helps.

RobertWR 11-16-2019 10:11 AM

Would it be possible for someone to post a link to the user guide?

The ceiling receptacle in our garage has a transformer plugged into it with a switch next to it. I turn the switch off and the smoke alarms start beeping. Obviously this is the power to the smokes alarms. The smokes do have a battery in each as well.

Is this typical?

dewilson58 11-16-2019 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Kid (Post 1695517)
Why do smoke alarm batteries do small beeps, at different intervals, when the battery is dying? Never the same time between beeps. Stand around and wait for the next beep. The search for the dying battery! Why not a steady beep?!?




To keep old people entertained and their brain active.

retiredguy123 11-16-2019 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertWR (Post 1695544)
Would it be possible for someone to post a link to the user guide?

The ceiling receptacle in our garage has a transformer plugged into it with a switch next to it. I turn the switch off and the smoke alarms start beeping. Obviously this is the power to the smokes alarms. The smokes do have a battery in each as well.

Is this typical?

This is the user manual for the First Alert Models 9120 and 9120B, which the builder has installed in many of the relatively new houses:

https://www.firstalertstore.com/stor...up_48_pack.pdf

champion6 11-16-2019 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertWR (Post 1695544)
Would it be possible for someone to post a link to the user guide?

The ceiling receptacle in our garage has a transformer plugged into it with a switch next to it. I turn the switch off and the smoke alarms start beeping. Obviously this is the power to the smokes alarms. The smokes do have a battery in each as well.

Is this typical?

No, because we don't all have the same model -- there are about 60,000 homes in TV.

Good point. In many (most?) homes in TV, the smoke alarms are hard wired to commercial power. The battery is backup for this. This configuration is different than my experience in homes up north where the battery was the only power source.

BobnBev 11-16-2019 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by villagetinker (Post 1695543)
IMHO, if you are getting the 3 beep pattern (indicates a problem with the sensor and needs to be replaced) I would replace ALL of the smoke detectors at the same time. My reasoning, they are all the same age, and will probably all fail around the same time, I would rather do this once every 7 years or so than have to replace individual alarms over a 1 or so. Also, there are CO2 at the bedrooms, these need to be replaced by CO2 detectors according to building codes. Lowe's has a builders pack of smoke detectors that saves a few dollars over buying separate units. The CO2 units cost more than twice as much as plain smoke detectors. If you take one unit off and take it to Lowe's they can match with exact units which make replacement a breeze.
Hope this helps.

Same with ACE Hardware. We did all of ours when we moved in. I think the FD recommends every 10 years.:ho:

New Englander 11-16-2019 11:50 AM

Years ago I bought a battery tester. It has been very helpful on occasion. It would solve the mystery of which smoke alarm battery needs replacing. It's the best gadget I've ever owned.

retiredguy123 11-16-2019 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Englander (Post 1695567)
Years ago I bought a battery tester. It has been very helpful on occasion. It would solve the mystery of which smoke alarm battery needs replacing. It's the best gadget I've ever owned.

I have one of those also. But, if I get a ladder and remove a smoke detector battery, I'm going to replace it with a new one.

retiredguy123 11-16-2019 12:11 PM

Replacing your smoke detectors every 7 or 10 years sounds like a great idea. But, very few people are actually going to do it. If it is really that important, the manufacturers should design in a 10-year warning system, just like the low battery warnings.

CWGUY 11-16-2019 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay Kid (Post 1695517)
Why do smoke alarm batteries do small beeps, at different intervals, when the battery is dying? Never the same time between beeps. Stand around and wait for the next beep. The search for the dying battery! Why not a steady beep?!?

:oops: A steady beep indicates a FIRE!


It's not ROCKET SURGERY! :1rotfl:

Altavia 11-16-2019 12:17 PM

The latest code is requiring 10yr batteries if not connected to power.

10yr batteries and alarms are available:

Ultralife 9V, 6LR61 Lithium 10 Year Smoke Alarm Battery - LITHU9VL-X at Batteries Plus Bulbs

https://www.lowes.com/pd/First-Alert...ector/50235663


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