[marianne237]

always wondered why these alarms go off during the middle of the night...anyone else notice that?

[John-US]

I was told the beeping is normal by geek squad, it's a calibration thing and it happens at 2am. (maybe you just noticed it?)

[Rose Ann Vinci Igoe]

Originally Posted by fcgiii

On Tuesday at 2:30 AM one of my ceiling-mounted smoke and CO monitors started chirping 5 times every minute. I got a ladder and pushed the button. Two days later it repeated the event, now joined by another unit, at almost exactly the same time. Someone on this forum said replace the batteries. They are hardwired with backup batteries. I replaced them in both units. When I pushed the button they chirped then gave the five chirp salute. Ah. They recognize my effort.

This morning they started chirping again. I resisted attacking the damn things with a hammer, but did push the button to give me some rest.

I understand now that I need to replace these two as well as the other three that are chuckling away in silence waiting to torment me.

Issue is: these appear to be wired into the house current. In the electrical box there is a breaker marked low volt panel. I presume that services the alarms and the door bell.

Now, to replace these I have to climb up on a ladder, trust that my deduction about the breaker is correct, and replace these and rewire them. Or, rather, in my advanced age, hire an electrician to do this.

I assume that many of the homes in the Villages have the same system. We live in Lake Deaton.

Any suggestions before I get my hammer?

the same thing happened to us. These alarms need to be REPLACED every 10 years with new alarms.... who knew... now that the house is 20 years old it was long overdue. I always thought just change the battery but this time it was different... so change all ALARMS and begin again. that did it.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Rose Ann Vinci Igoe

the same thing happened to us. These alarms need to be REPLACED every 10 years with new alarms.... who knew... now that the house is 20 years old it was long overdue. I always thought just change the battery but this time it was different... so change all ALARMS and begin again. that did it.

I don't know when it started, but the newer smoke detectors are designed to automatically start beeping after 10 years. So, if you have a new house, you will probably not be able to procrastinate for 20 years. Also, there seems to be a misconception that the sealed smoke detectors are better than the ones where you can replace the batteries. They aren't. The only difference is that the sealed detectors come with a 10 year lithium battery. But, you can replace the replaceable type alkaline batteries with the same kind of 10 year lithium batteries. The electrical codes are being updated in some areas to require the sealed type smoke detectors. But, so far, in Florida, the sealed type detectors are only required where you don't have a hard wired system. So, it really doesn't make sense to replace the builder installed detectors with the sealed type, unless you don't trust yourself to replace the batteries when they fail.

[Pgcarmi]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't know when it started, but the newer smoke detectors are designed to automatically start beeping after 10 years. So, if you have a new house, you will probably not be able to procrastinate for 20 years. Also, there seems to be a misconception that the sealed smoke detectors are better than the ones where you can replace the batteries. They aren't. The only difference is that the sealed detectors come with a 10 year lithium battery. But, you can replace the replaceable type alkaline batteries with the same kind of 10 year lithium batteries. The electrical codes are being updated in some areas to require the sealed type smoke detectors. But, so far, in Florida, the sealed type detectors are only required where you don't have a hard wired system. So, it really doesn't make sense to replace the builder installed detectors with the sealed type, unless you don't trust yourself to replace the batteries when they fail.

I also live in Lake Deaton. Had to replace 2 units last month. They reached their end of life. I have a longer ladder and would be happy to assist. I live on Fellowship. Please email me your contact information if you’d like assistance. [email protected]. Paul.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by John-US

I was told the beeping is normal by geek squad, it's a calibration thing and it happens at 2am. (maybe you just noticed it?)

Totally false.

[bonrich]

About the ten year life of some of the batteries. Small print on package indicates these batteries have a ten year shelf life. Since the detectors are hard wired and would only use the batteries for back up if there is a loss of power. So a total of shelf and actual installed life is counted. Do not know if there is a manufactured date on the batteries.

[asiebel]

Call 352 205 8280. They come change batteries if you can't climb the ladder, but they may be able to help you with your problem too.

[crash]

Originally Posted by fcgiii

On Tuesday at 2:30 AM one of my ceiling-mounted smoke and CO monitors started chirping 5 times every minute. I got a ladder and pushed the button. Two days later it repeated the event, now joined by another unit, at almost exactly the same time. Someone on this forum said replace the batteries. They are hardwired with backup batteries. I replaced them in both units. When I pushed the button they chirped then gave the five chirp salute. Ah. They recognize my effort.

This morning they started chirping again. I resisted attacking the damn things with a hammer, but did push the button to give me some rest.

I understand now that I need to replace these two as well as the other three that are chuckling away in silence waiting to torment me.

Issue is: these appear to be wired into the house current. In the electrical box there is a breaker marked low volt panel. I presume that services the alarms and the door bell.

Now, to replace these I have to climb up on a ladder, trust that my deduction about the breaker is correct, and replace these and rewire them. Or, rather, in my advanced age, hire an electrician to do this.

I assume that many of the homes in the Villages have the same system. We live in Lake Deaton.

Any suggestions before I get my hammer?

The button only silences the alarm for a few days then it will be back. This works for 3 times then it will no longer silence the alarm. The 5 beeps is telling you that the alarm needs to be replaced which for CO detectors is every 6 to 7 years. The date of manufacture is on the back of the alarm.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by bonrich

About the ten year life of some of the batteries. Small print on package indicates these batteries have a ten year shelf life. Since the detectors are hard wired and would only use the batteries for back up if there is a loss of power. So a total of shelf and actual installed life is counted. Do not know if there is a manufactured date on the batteries.

That is a good reason why you shouldn't buy the "sealed" smoke detectors. If the battery goes dead, the detector will start to beep, and you will need to replace the detector. The detector may be guaranteed to last 10 years, but it may be a hassle to enforce it. Any battery can go dead in less than 10 years for many reasons. The batteries in the sealed detectors are essentially the same type of lithium battery that you can buy on Amazon for about 6 dollars and install them in the non-sealed detectors. Then, if it starts to beep, you can replace the battery.

[[email protected]]

most of the time the smoke alarms are wired in series. to replace them you do not need to rewire anything. just remove them and there is a plug in the back that is usually universal and you will probably be able to simply plug in a new one. no need to shut the breaker off.

[Villages Kahuna]

The batteries probably need to be replaced in your alarms. Call the Fire Department. One of their services is replacing batteries—they don’t want residents climbing ladders. Make a count and buy the batteries. Just visit Ace Hardware and tell them how many, they know the kind, probably the oblong 9-volt ones.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Originally Posted by fcgiii

On Tuesday at 2:30 AM one of my ceiling-mounted smoke and CO monitors started chirping 5 times every minute. I got a ladder and pushed the button. Two days later it repeated the event, now joined by another unit, at almost exactly the same time. Someone on this forum said replace the batteries. They are hardwired with backup batteries. I replaced them in both units. When I pushed the button they chirped then gave the five chirp salute. Ah. They recognize my effort.

This morning they started chirping again. I resisted attacking the damn things with a hammer, but did push the button to give me some rest.

I understand now that I need to replace these two as well as the other three that are chuckling away in silence waiting to torment me.

Issue is: these appear to be wired into the house current. In the electrical box there is a breaker marked low volt panel. I presume that services the alarms and the door bell.

Now, to replace these I have to climb up on a ladder, trust that my deduction about the breaker is correct, and replace these and rewire them. Or, rather, in my advanced age, hire an electrician to do this.

I assume that many of the homes in the Villages have the same system. We live in Lake Deaton.

Any suggestions before I get my hammer?

We live in Lake Deaton also. Just recently I had to replace two of the smoke detector units. You can get them at Lowes for about $18. The units have a life expectancy so I suggest you buy two and you will have a backup for when the next one dies. Replacing the battery does nothing. Send me a PM is you need the Model #

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Originally Posted by fcgiii

On Tuesday at 2:30 AM one of my ceiling-mounted smoke and CO monitors started chirping 5 times every minute. I got a ladder and pushed the button. Two days later it repeated the event, now joined by another unit, at almost exactly the same time. Someone on this forum said replace the batteries. They are hardwired with backup batteries. I replaced them in both units. When I pushed the button they chirped then gave the five chirp salute. Ah. They recognize my effort.

This morning they started chirping again. I resisted attacking the damn things with a hammer, but did push the button to give me some rest.

I understand now that I need to replace these two as well as the other three that are chuckling away in silence waiting to torment me.

Issue is: these appear to be wired into the house current. In the electrical box there is a breaker marked low volt panel. I presume that services the alarms and the door bell.

Now, to replace these I have to climb up on a ladder, trust that my deduction about the breaker is correct, and replace these and rewire them. Or, rather, in my advanced age, hire an electrician to do this.

I assume that many of the homes in the Villages have the same system. We live in Lake Deaton.

Any suggestions before I get my hammer?

If you can still manage a ladder, it’s an easy fix. I’d go with a new CO unit and the newer Ion/Photo cell smoke detectors. They plug into the walls, which you’ll see once you take them down.

[GoJacks]

Also Lake Deaton, house built 2014. First Alert replaced our two five-chirpers under warranty. The phone number is on the back, along with the model number and date of manufacture. As others have said, easy to replace if you have and feel comfortable on a tall ladder (or so I'm told 😉).