Replacing smoke detector alarm battery help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around troubleshooting issues related to smoke detector alarms, specifically focusing on battery replacement challenges and the persistent beeping of a wall-mounted microphone connected to a fire alarm system. Participants explore various methods to address these issues, including potential design flaws, the need for cleaning, and the possibility of defective units.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty accessing the battery compartment of a smoke alarm due to a permanent power connection, fearing that disconnecting it may trigger an alarm.
  • Another suggests checking the brand and model number for online instructions to assist with the battery replacement process.
  • After replacing the battery, a participant notes that their wall mic continues to beep, prompting questions about the number of smoke detectors on the same circuit.
  • Some participants propose that if the beeping persists after battery replacement, the smoke detector may be defective and require replacement.
  • One participant shares a method of resetting the alarms by removing power, batteries, and holding the test button, while also suggesting that dust accumulation might be causing issues.
  • Concerns are raised about the design of smoke detectors, with one participant noting that their model has a slide-open door for easier access.
  • Discussion includes the possibility of hidden smoke detectors in the apartment, with participants speculating about their locations.
  • Some participants clarify that the beeping is an intermittent chirp for low battery rather than a full alarm, leading to further investigation into the source of the sound.
  • There is mention of a remote horn (speaker) connected to a building-wide alarm system, which does not have a battery backup and may be malfunctioning.
  • Safety tips are shared regarding the disposal of 9V batteries to prevent potential fire hazards.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the issues at hand, with some agreeing on the need for potential replacements or repairs, while others remain uncertain about the source of the beeping and the effectiveness of their smoke detectors. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the best course of action.

Contextual Notes

Participants note various limitations, including the potential for hidden smoke detectors, the age of the units, and the design of the alarms, which may affect troubleshooting efforts. There is also uncertainty regarding the responsibilities of the landlord in maintaining smoke detectors.

Greg Bernhardt
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I know I've done this before but for some reason I am stuck. I have a smoke alarm where the battery compartment is being blocked by the permanent power. I can't disconnect or a monitoring alarm will trip (i think?). There is a great deal of tension here and any more force I feel will break the connector. So how do I open the battery area here?

ImageUploadedByPhysics Forums1420157193.311576.jpg
 
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Can you see an indication of the brand and model number - to look on-line for instructions?
 
Turns out I did have to disconnect. However, I replaced the battery and my wall mic is still beeping. hmm
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
I know I've done this before but for some reason I am stuck. I have a smoke alarm where the battery compartment is being blocked by the permanent power. I can't disconnect or a monitoring alarm will trip (i think?). There is a great deal of tension here and any more force I feel will break the connector. So how do I open the battery area here?

View attachment 77113
Squeeze the sides (clips) of the plug and remove it from the back of the detector. Replace the battery. Reinstall the plug - it should just push in. Reinstall the smoke detector in the ceiling.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
replaced the battery and my wall mic is still beeping. hmm
How many other smoke detectors on same circuit?
 
If it continues to beep or chirp every 1 minute after replacing the batteries, then you may have a defective unit that needs to be replaced.
 
At this time I'm going to try removing the two alarms from power, removing the battery and holding the test button for 15 seconds and killing the circuit breakers for the rooms
 
What a bad design. Mine have a little slide open door on the outside, no need to open the detector.
 
I killed every circuit breaker in my apt and the wall mic is still beeping
 
  • #10
Greg Bernhardt said:
At this time I'm going to try removing the two alarms from power, removing the battery and holding the test button for 15 seconds and killing the circuit breakers for the rooms
They may need cleaning in addition to new batteries. We've had the same alarm go off because of dust or fiber accumulation. Using a vacuum cleaner to draw out the foreign material worked.
 
  • #11
Greg Bernhardt said:
I killed every circuit breaker in my apt and the wall mic is still beeping
You've changed both batteries?
 
  • #12
Bystander said:
You've changed both batteries?
In the detectors yes, but at the moment they are offline. I can't seem to be able to reset this mic.
 
  • #13
Kitchen, BR. Bet there's another hiding in a closet, entryway, somewhere.
 
  • #14
The mic appears to be powered outside my unit and there is no reset switch
ImageUploadedByPhysics Forums1420161470.770686.jpg
 
  • #15
Bystander said:
Kitchen, BR. Bet there's another hiding in a closet, entryway, somewhere.
another what?
 
  • #16
Smoke detector.
 
  • #17
Bystander said:
Smoke detector.
nah, I'm in a small 1 bed apt and have been for 8 years :)
 
  • #18
Water heater hiding in a closet off the bathroom?
 
  • #19
Bystander said:
Water heater hiding in a closet off the bathroom?
There was one breaker I didn't kill and that was for the washer and heater because there was a danger sticker and it needed some key to turn off.
 
  • #20
This is the intermittent "beep/chirp" for low battery, not the "wake the dead/get out now" end of the world alarm noise? Check the area around the washer and heater for a hidden unit --- I've had a couple that the battery lasted for nearly a decade before the chirping started and took me literally forever to find.
 
  • #21
Bystander said:
This is the intermittent "beep/chirp" for low battery
right. no other alarms that I can find
 
  • #22
Murphy's Law: something that requires the landlord or super is always going to happen after hours. Get the aeroduster and try A-nuc's cleaning trick. I'm out of ideas where to find a third alarm, and if that doesn't work, hope the landlord still has enough specs on the building to fix things.
 
  • #23
After more thinking I don't think it has anything to do with my detectors. The wall mic is connected to the fire panel downstairs. I think either the mic is broken or something with the panel is setting it off.
 
  • #24
Some alarms apparently have a 10-year power cell. After that goes, that whole unit needs to be replaced.
 
  • #25
Greg Bernhardt said:
whole unit needs to be replaced.
For a "nominal" fee.
 
  • #26
Greg Bernhardt said:
The mic appears to be powered outside my unit and there is no reset switch
View attachment 77114
What's a "mic"?
[edit]
The model number is readable in your pic: http://www.thesignalsource.com/documents/GX93.pdf
It's a remote horn (speaker) for a building-wide evacuation from the master building alarm panel. It doesn't have a battery backup.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #27
Greg Bernhardt said:
After more thinking I don't think it has anything to do with my detectors.
siren.gif


Now you've done it. :devil:

Glad you figured it's involves more than your apartment. e.g.

FireAlarm.jpg


images compliment of http://attendancesystems.in/fire-alarm-systems.html
 
  • #28
russ_watters said:
What's a "mic"?
I'm glad Russ asked. I've just been assuming it's what dlgoff has just informed us it is --- the anunciator to inform residents that someone else is trying to burn down the building.
 
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  • #29
I'm wondering now if my alarms are just old and need to be replaced. I haven't replaced them since moving in 8 years ago.
 
  • #30
If you missed my edit, I found the data sheet for the annunciator -- it doesn't have a battery backup or a "chirp" mode. If it is making noise and it isn't blasting you out of the house, something is wrong with it or the building alarm system.

Since it is just a speaker, it shouldn't ever need to be replaced. There isn't anything in it that can wear out.
 
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