Smoke alarm alarm

The unit checks the voltage of the battery and bleeps when the voltage is low.

Replacing the unit to mains power without a battery will show as low voltage and as there is no reference at all to 9V has probably confused the PCB.

You need a battery.

Oh, I accept that - I just hoped the unit would be (silently) operational overnight without one.

Many thanks for the explanation.

Could you not "borrow" one from something else?

One oddity in the manual is a stern warning that any replacement battery must be not only the right specification, which is of course correct, but also the right *make* because anything could cause damage.

Could the manufacturer have done a sneaky deal with Duracell, I wonder?

Make and model

It seems to be by Ei Electronics of Shannon in Ireland, though the manual also gives contact details for Aico Ltd in Oswestry.

The model is Ei141RC.

The (strongly) recommended battery a Duracell MN1604 Energizer 9 V.

That could be code for 'don't use a zinc carbon from Poundland'.

Theo

They are called Ei because they are made in the Emerald Isles

But an 9V alkaline from Poundland would be a good equivalent to the manufacturer's preference.

So what is stopping you getting the right battery and putting it in? Brian

Can you not raid one from something else. I'm assuming a pp3 is the battery. Lots of el chepo radios use those still. Brian

Yesterday, the fact that I didn't have one. Today, only my reluctance to go into a shop, however briefly.

I have however ordered one as part of my grocery shopping and it will be delivered tomorrow.

You don't think Duracell are up to much? Why is that?

I had the spare for my Fluke 19 split before I got to use it.

That is poor, but is it common?

I didn't actually say that, did I?

Why don't you think Kodak and Polaroid 9V alkaline batteries are up to much?

Apologies if I misunderstood.

Are you saying then that despite the general impression, the bargain-basement Poundland product is in reality not inferior to any of the branded ones?

Called into a sandwich shop today in Doncaster and everyone (staff and customers) looked at me like I had the plague because I was the only one wearing a face mask.

:-). Job sorted

There have been a few comparisons made over the years of different makes of alkaline AA batteries including those sold in Poundland. This is one I found in a quick search: