Thanks: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 12 of 12
Thread: Smoke detector battery problems
-
14th April 2016, 08:17 PM #1Product designer retired
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
- Location
- Heidelberg, Victoria
- Age
- 79
- Posts
- 2,251
Smoke detector battery problems
At first I just thought it was my sneakers chirping on the polished timber floors, but quickly realised it was my smoke detector. I'm pretty sure a chirping smoke detector indicates low battery voltage.
A quick fix I thought, so purchased a couple of Mercury brand 9V batteries.
I really don't like climbing up a step ladder, especially when you have to climb up to the third last rung, but there was nothing else for it.
The old batteries are a bit tricky to get out, but succeeded without falling off the ladder. Safely back on the ground, the detector chirped again.
To cut a long story short, both the new Mercury batteries measured 7V each. They were only a couple of bucks each so turfed them and bought a $6 Toshiba brand.
Job done, no more chirps.
Ken
-
14th April 2016 08:17 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Age
- 2010
- Posts
- Many
-
14th April 2016, 11:28 PM #2GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- May 2011
- Location
- Murray Bridge SA
- Posts
- 3,339
Always buy top quality batteries, what price/value do you put on family?? Plus, they last longer.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
-
14th April 2016, 11:39 PM #3
Every X-Mas I buy a pack of 4 top quality alkaline 9v batteries and give the detectors their present.
Easy to remember
-
14th April 2016, 11:47 PM #4Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2015
- Location
- Newcastle
- Posts
- 498
Seems pretty expensive for a Toshiba battery.
A friend is a smoke alarm inspector so any battery he checks that is below 60%(not sure how that is measured) is turfed so he has hundreds of the things at home.
-
15th April 2016, 12:03 AM #5
Hi,
Lucky you checked the new batteries before turfing the smoke detector.
RegardsHugh
Enough is enough, more than enough is too much.
-
15th April 2016, 12:42 PM #6
I *believe* that by law they have to be Lithium batteries or wired.
We are selling and we were told that we need to wire our alarms.
John
-
15th April 2016, 01:28 PM #7Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2014
- Location
- West Wodonga
- Posts
- 114
I really don't like climbing up a step ladder, especially when you have to climb up to the third last rung, but there was nothing else for it.
The old batteries are a bit tricky to get out, but succeeded without falling off the ladder. Safely back on the ground, the detector chirped again.
As a volunteer fireman, I would rather change the batteries as a community service then to return at some time in the future for a fire only to find that the smoke detectors were not working because of dead batteries.
Nifty.
-
17th April 2016, 07:24 PM #8
I refuse to purchase from the overpriced eveready/duracell retail duopoly.
I use a lot of batteries in test equipment and radio microphones.
There is some real crap out there on the market ..... but there is also some very well priced good quality alkaline product out there.
I buy mine from a wholesaler, variously top spec generics, panasonic or paralell import duracel.
that said
both Aldi and Ikea stock respectable quality generics.
Stay away from the jaycar alkalines.
To may knoweledge there IS NO requirement to run lithoums in smoke detectors.
Good quality Alkalines should have a shelf life of 5 years and should represent no issue if changed anually.
Buy only alkalines ...... it must say alkaline on the battery ..... zink carbon batteries are just band value.
cheersAny thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
Most powertools have sharp teeth.
People are made of meat.
Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.
-
17th April 2016, 08:47 PM #9Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jun 2012
- Location
- Dungog
- Posts
- 274
Just a comment, why not remove smoke alarm then down ladder change battery then up ladder to replace alarm.
In nsw, fire rescue has a program call Smoke Alarm Battery Replacememt for the Elderly.(SABRE)
They will supply and replace the battery with a Duracell battery. These are recommended by most smoke alarm manufactures.
One more important note. Smoke alarms have a life span of 10 years regardless of type and power source. It has to do with the sensor, so if yours is over 10 it's done its job.
-
17th April 2016, 10:16 PM #10
many smoke alarms don't come of the ceiling redily ..... its more work to take them down than replace the battery in sutu.
as for smoke alarms lasting 10 years ...... yeh good luck with that ..... our last 2 did not last that long, the most recent only lasted a bit over 12 months.
cheersAny thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
Most powertools have sharp teeth.
People are made of meat.
Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.
-
24th May 2016, 04:53 PM #11Intermediate Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
- Location
- Sydney Australia
- Age
- 76
- Posts
- 42
Hi,
Do be aware of the 2 main types of alarm, as well - photoelectric and ionisation. They behave differently, and the photoelectric type is now being recommended by NSW Fire Brigades and the Govt here. All types should carry the Aust Std 3786 mark, or they don't measure up.
BTW lithium batteries aren't mandatory, but they are recommended in NSW.
Smoke alarm buyers guide - Fire and Rescue NSW
Cheers
-
24th May 2016, 05:04 PM #12
In SA it depends. All new builds need wired alarms. All houses sold or rented must have Lithium batteries or wired.
All existing houses must simply have smoke alarms fitted.
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/propert...y/smoke-alarms
John
Similar Threads
-
which smoke alarm/detector
By damian in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH WOODWORKReplies: 13Last Post: 6th August 2012, 10:54 AM -
Smoke Detector
By Rodgera in forum WOODIES JOKESReplies: 0Last Post: 2nd May 2009, 02:00 PM -
can i charge a dry battery with a wet battery charger?
By weisyboy in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH WOODWORKReplies: 2Last Post: 5th April 2009, 10:24 PM -
WARNING: 36V DeWalt Battery drill chuck problems.
By CarpenTERRIFIC in forum HAND TOOLS - POWEREDReplies: 8Last Post: 5th October 2008, 06:55 PM