How can I decommission my domestic Euro-MERiDIAN alarm system

[MM]

I don't want it any more. It's a pain in the arsenal, the way it triggers after 30 minutes in a power cut and false triggers every now and again anyway. Most houses on the estate have had alarms going off during the day when householders are at work and it ain't because of burglars! I contacted my insurer and got a re-quote for no alarm. Made absolutely NO difference to my premium!

So instead of forking out 50 - 60 quid each year for the annual maintenance man to come and look busy for half an hour I want to decommission it. Let the next owner re-commission it if he wishes.

Do I need to physically disconnect the backup battery or is there a code I can just punch in? Of course, the alarm maintenance company will do it for me but will probably charge me another 50 quid for the pleasure.

MM

[signum]

Poke around here

[Alang]

I never get any maintenance on mine except to change the battery every ten years. Do it myself in 10 minutes. Annoy the neighbours by testing it once a year.

If it goes off after a power cut you might need a new battery.

But just turn the power off to it and disconnect the battery if it will make you feel happier

[Harry Stottle]

You will probably have to disconnect the battery in the bell box as well, these tend to work independently if the system is disturbed.

[Al]

Then the backup battery is dying (when was it last changed?) or the charging circuit isn't working properly.

He should be changing the battery if he knows about the power cut problem!

Disconnect the battery in the bell box first, then just switch the mains off to the panel. Leave a note on/in the panel warning the the bell box battery has been disconnected so that the new owner knows what's going on.

Sounds to me that for the sake of a tenner for a new battery half of your problems would be solved. The other half of the problem sounds like the maintenance man not dealing with things like false triggers.

Al.

[Alang]

I've never seen a battery in a bell box. Their usual position high up on a wall is not an ideal place to have something like that.

[Bob Eager]

We have one...I know because I fitted the bell box! Accessibility isn't really an issue since it's a rechargeable. They are very common, as far as I am aware.

[Pete Zahut]

I've never seen a bell box *without* a battery and I'm completely gobsmacked that you have.

[Alang]

The one in the alarm panel is rechargeable. It's also the one that operates the bell box and light if it goes off when the power is cut.

Yours I guess is a wireless system

[Alang]

Box on wall with sounder and light known sometimes as an annunciator. Powered from the control panel which runs on mains electric. Control panel has backup sealed lead acid battery that cuts in when mains power is lost. There is absolutely no need for a battery in the external sounder.

The only reason I can think for having a battery in the sounder is if the system is wireless.

I'm not in the busines but my late brother used to install alarm systems in the 90s until he died and I never saw any of the annunciators he supplied with batteries

[Andy Champ]

... the whole idea being that when Mr Burglar breaks in he can't just cut the wire to the bell box, he has to go up there. The alarm is constantly telling it *not* to ring.

Andy

[mick]

It's definitely done. The battery has a pretty long life usually, so needing a ladder to get to it isn't that bad.

[Adrian C]

Mine isn't, and there is a battery. It's got to be there to start screaming when someone snips the wires to the bell box.

I'd also say the majority of systems are like this.

[Bruce]

Do what burglars do, and drill a hole or holes in the bell box and fill it with expanding foam. Now, with the bell disabled, you can do whatever work is needed to remove the system.

Alternatively, you may find an professional alarm installer who will de-install it in return for being paid for 2-3X his/her hourly rate.

[ARWadsworth]

I guess that you know nothing about alarms.

30 seconds and most alarms can be disabled.

Even less time if you have a ladder and no nosey neighbours.

Adam

[Bob Eager]

Your guess is completely wrong.

It's in the bell box. And it's there to sound the alarm if the wires to teh bell box are cut (actually pretty impossible, the way I routed the wires).

[Adrian C]

Bruce wrote:>

Yup.

OT: Here's something more interesting to fill with expanding foam. :-)

[MM]

Yeah, I called the suppliers and they said the same. Sounded a bit complicated after all. Bloke said the alarm system is on a separate spur.

MM

[MM]

No, apparently the bell box does contain some kind of backup battery, according to the suppliers.

MM

[MM]

It is here! Mine is right under the eaves and I'd need quite a long ladder or a cherry picker to access it. Needless to say, I have neither!

MM