[vinnytalk]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

Having never lived in a community where houses on both sides of the street were built within months of each other, my friends and neighbors are all needing to replace their First Alert smoke detectors. It seems that after seven years, they all do fail and need replacement.

At first, I thought a simple battery replacement would do the trick. I should have listened to the beep code (five chirps) that was telling me a full replacement was needed. I then discussed my issue with several neighbors who told me that almost everyone on the street had recently replaced all of their units.

I seems that two models of First Alert smoke detectors (SC9120B – 9120B) are used with the SC9120B having a carbon monoxide alarm added. Both smoke alarms are AC powered interconnected with battery backup. I needed two SC9120B and two 9120B while my brother up the street needed two SC9120B and four 9120B. As I replaced my old First Alert units with new identical model units, all I had to do was twist the new units onto the original mounting brackets and plug in the existing quick connect clip to the new detector.

Some of my neighbors replaced all of their units with the carbon monoxide alarm added unit as the mounting brackets between the alarms are identical. The cost of the 9120B unit is around $18 and the other online is around $33.

While I did all of the work replacing the alarms this time, seven years in the future if I am still around I believe I will let the fire dept. do the installation work for me. You purchase the alarm and the Villages Fire Dept. will install for free. Hope this information helps others with chirping (five chirps) smoke detectors.

You want to get the new built in battery, unit and battery lasts 10 years, then it warns you to replace the entire unit.
Don't get the 10 year unit with a 9 volt battery, you may have to still replace the battery.
You can order online, also once you leave First alert you have to change the mounting plate and wire connection all comes with new unit....

[jrref]

Just remember that carbon monoxide detectors have a fixed life that varies with the manufacturer. Once that time limit is up you need to replace the detector. The lease expensive method is to just get the same or similar replacement from Amazon or one of the big box stores. The most expensive but the least maintenance in the long run is to replace your detectors with Nest smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. I replaced my wired detectors with the Nest wired detectors and the batteries last 10 years and they check themselves automatically once a month and report the status to your cell phone. If any of the detectors trigger for any reason you get an alert on your cell phone as well.

[LianneMigiano]

I once saw a video regarding two 9 volt batteries that had just been tossed in the trash. When the contact points touched it STARTED A FIRE! It showed the need to tape over the contact points before disposal. Please be careful....

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Judy n Ron

We live in Sanibel and have replaced most of the detectors. I hope you didn't pay for them because first alert will warranty them to the original home owner as long as you own your home. The same goes for the faucets and exterior door handles. They are diligent in shipping the new items pretty quickly.

No true for all. My house was built in 2013 and the warranty was 7 years. First Alert would not replace when I called in 2020. Replaced all the First Alert stuff with FireEx which I consider to be better, anyway.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by JerryP

It’s FREE for Villagers who are disabled or unable to climb a ladder. The resident is responsible for supplying the new batteries and/or detectors.

We have 10 foot ceilings. I took a 6 foot ladder from our previous home just not high enough to safely change batteries or smoke detectors. You want to, as I did, get a good 8 foot ladder.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by vinnytalk

You want to get the new built in battery, unit and battery lasts 10 years, then it warns you to replace the entire unit.
Don't get the 10 year unit with a 9 volt battery, you may have to still replace the battery.
You can order online, also once you leave First alert you have to change the mounting plate and wire connection all comes with new unit....

Basically, there are two types of smoke detectors, the type with replaceable batteries and the type that are sealed and have a non-replaceable battery. The replaceable battery type come with a 9-volt alkaline battery, but you can replace the battery with a 10-year lithium battery, and it will last as long as the sealed type. The real difference in the two types of smoke detectors is that, if your house does not have a hardwired smoke alarm system, the smoke detectors with a replaceable battery will not comply with the building code. When you add a smoke detector to a non-wired system, you must use the sealed type of smoke detector to comply with the code. But, if you are replacing smoke detectors in a hardwired system, it is fine to use the smoke detectors that have replaceable batteries. If you want them to last 10 years, then just replace the battery with a lithium battery, which is the same type used in the sealed detectors. So, this is just a building code issue. All of the newer houses in The Villages have a hardwired smoke alarm systems, so you do not need the sealed detectors.

[FromDC]

We had to replace our units recently. If you go to Lowe's check out the First Alert Contractors Pack price versus the individual price. It was cheaper, for us, to pay the bulk price for the same units. Hopefully, you can take advantage of this price savings. The 10% military discount helps too.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by FromDC

We had to replace our units recently. If you go to Lowe's check out the First Alert Contractors Pack price versus the individual price. It was cheaper, for us, to pay the bulk price for the same units. Hopefully, you can take advantage of this price savings. The 10% military discount helps too.

Ordering them from Amazon is a cheaper way to go. You can get the hardwired type with battery backup for about 10 dollars each in a 6-pack. Also, it doesn't make sense to pay an extra 15 dollars each for the ones with a 10 year battery. They are the same as the cheaper ones that have an alkaline battery, except they have a lithium battery. If you want a 10 year battery, just buy the 9-volt lithium batteries separately for about 5 dollars each and replace the alkaline battery that comes with the 10 dollar detector. You will save money and have some extra alkaline batteries to use for something else.

[FromDC]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Ordering them from Amazon is a cheaper way to go. You can get the hardwired type with battery backup for about 10 dollars each in a 6-pack. Also, it doesn't make sense to pay an extra 15 dollars each for the ones with a 10 year battery. They are the same as the cheaper ones that have an alkaline battery, except they have a lithium battery. If you want a 10 year battery, just buy the 9-volt lithium batteries separately for about 5 dollars each and replace the alkaline battery that comes with the 10 dollar detector. You will save money and have some extra alkaline batteries to use for something else.

It is nice to provide options to people reading this thread. I opted to purchase retail from Lowe's (#38) and you opted to purchase online. I have no idea if your savings numbers are accurate. It doesn't really matter since this was a one time purchase.

While you were doing your cost analysis, I was heading to Lowe's with my replacement model number. My project took 1 hour and I reaped intangible savings from time incurred. Also, since my Alerts came with batteries, I will not have forgotten batteries rolling around in my junk drawer. Nice to have options.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by FromDC

It is nice to provide options to people reading this thread. I opted to purchase retail from Lowe's (#38) and you opted to purchase online. I have no idea if your savings numbers are accurate. It doesn't really matter since this was a one time purchase.

While you were doing your cost analysis, I was heading to Lowe's with my replacement model number. My project took 1 hour and I reaped intangible savings from time incurred. Also, since my Alerts came with batteries, I will not have forgotten batteries rolling around in my junk drawer. Nice to have options.

Agreed. But, no matter what you do, I would advise that you always have a few spare 9-volt batteries on hand. When you have a smoke detector chirping at midnight, there is no way to stop it without replacing the battery or disconnecting the detector. It's easier to replace the battery.

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by LianneMigiano

I once saw a video regarding two 9 volt batteries that had just been tossed in the trash. When the contact points touched it STARTED A FIRE! It showed the need to tape over the contact points before disposal. Please be careful....

Yes, if the contacts touch anything metal, such as a can, aluminum, etc, it will heat up in a hurry.

[nancyre]

CO /smoke detectors have an expiration date - shelf life. It is noted on the unit but is around 5 years for CO.
At that point the sensor has reached its life expectancy and need to be replaced. Smoke detectors are 10 years.
Villages homes have a mixture of both with CO by the bedrooms
Smoke alarm outreach materials

[Speedie]

All were installed about the same time, so with planned obsolesce it is expected that most would fail at nearly the same time.