Burglar alarm problem

Working at height on a ladder trying to open a bell box with rusted screws? Seems to me it would be a lot easier just to replace the battery in the console! Of course if the OP has the service code no fannying around necessary.

Tim

Why replace the battery in the main panel?

The OP wants the alarm to NOT to work.

Many dummy boxes come with a small solar panel that keep batteries charged and the flashing leds working for years without maintenance. Before installing a dummy box to my existing alarm I did replace the no-name chinese batteries with a reputable branded batteries.

After around 5 years use I had to again replace the rechargeable batteries in the dummy box.

Boxes only have to be installed out of reach by anyone without a ladder.

Well that?s one answer to it going off in every power cut but replacing the panel battery will also achieve this without risking life and limb. ;-)

Tim

On an old system with dead batteries all he need do is turn the mains to it off. Obviously the OP doesn't have the engineer codes. Some folk are just trying to make life hard here.

NT

Really? Like those solar powered garden lights? ;-)

But if you're going to spend serious money on a dummy, why not DIY the real thing?

Similar but with a couple of AA batteries rather than the half length AA usually found in garden lights.

As the LEDs in a dummy bell box are not attempting to illuminate an area around them and are flashing they take a lot less current.

Dummy boxes also come with flashing LEDS and a non-rechargeable battery with a claimed battery life of around 5 years continuous operation.

They are not serious money and don't require a source of power from within your house.

A real working box costs sweet FA so why not fit two working boxes?

So simple.

No ladders, no ear defenders, no effort.

Brilliant.

If you?re a gambling man. I do hope the OP lets us know how long the sounder runs. ;-)

Tim

Sorry, I was away for a couple of days.

I just had a look at the system:

It is called Optima Plus, and Google found nothing about it (see reason below).

I managed to find the instruction manual that was pushed behind the panel. Very basic - only explains how to change the code and test the system - one page. On the back of the page the original installer wrote the location of the sensors, and the installation date: 11 July 1995...

Sounds like the battery(ies) are in need of a replacement.

From the advice given here I am inclined to not attempt to disconnect the system from the mains and the battery myself in case it goes off.

I think I'll give the installer a ring (he is still around, I just checked), and ask him to dp it in a way that would make it easy to reverse.

Thanks all for your advice - much appreciated!

On a 1995 battery I'd be shocked if it ran at all

NT

Just turn off the mains to it. Stand outside your house with the door open looking sheepish if the bell box sounds on its own. It won't for long.

If it doesn't go off when you remove the mains, it says the panel battery still has some charge.