Howdy,
We have a total of 6 smoke detectors in our home. They are
of the sort that has AC power to all of 'em, and each has a
9 volt battery "backup." All six are on the same AC circuit.
When one of them starts to "chirp" (indicating low battery),
we replace the batteries in all of them.
This is the drill:
I remove AC at the breaker. I remove batteries from all six
detectors. I press the "test" button on each (discharging
the internal capacitor, and generating a few feeble beeps.)
Then, I put new batteries in each. And finally, I turn on AC
at the breaker.
Here's the puzzle:
Right now, I have the AC power off, all six have had their
batteries removed, and all have had their test button pushed
but...
Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
chirping individually.
I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
generate the chirp sound.
Do these things photosynthesize?
In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
happen.
Sincere thanks,
--
Kenneth
If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
On Mar 4, 9:11 pm, "Allen Roy" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Depending on brand, there is an internal capacitor to keep the circuit
> memory. 9 times out of 10 when the units chirp, the battery needs replaced.
IOW the test button does not fully discharge the circuit and it chirps
to
warn you that the power is off, right?
>...
>
> Also how many people have picked up a can of smoke at a local supply to test
> their smoke detectors.
>
No need to. I make blackened catfish once in a while.
--
FF
On Mar 4, 5:31 pm, Kenneth <[email protected]> wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> We have a total of 6 smoke detectors in our home. They are
> of the sort that has AC power to all of 'em, and each has a
> 9 volt battery "backup." All six are on the same AC circuit.
>
> When one of them starts to "chirp" (indicating low battery),
> we replace the batteries in all of them.
>
> This is the drill:
>
> I remove AC at the breaker. I remove batteries from all six
> detectors. I press the "test" button on each (discharging
> the internal capacitor, and generating a few feeble beeps.)
> Then, I put new batteries in each. And finally, I turn on AC
> at the breaker.
>
> Here's the puzzle:
>
> Right now, I have the AC power off, all six have had their
> batteries removed, and all have had their test button pushed
> but...
>
> Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
> chirping individually.
>
> I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
> generate the chirp sound.
>
> Do these things photosynthesize?
>
> In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
> happen.
>
> Sincere thanks,
> --
> Kenneth
>
> If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
When the voltage on the internal capacitor drops below a preset
threshold, the Test alarm circuit won't fire, indicating a failure,
ie. low battery. As a result, the Test circuit doesn't discharge the
capacitor completely and leaves enough charge to power the low battery
chirps which keep working for a while below the Test alarm threshold.
Kenneth wrote:
> On 5 Mar 2007 09:35:00 -0800, [email protected]
> wrote:
>
> >On Mar 4, 5:31 pm, Kenneth <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> Howdy,
> >>
> >> We have a total of 6 smoke detectors in our home. They are
> >> of the sort that has AC power to all of 'em, and each has a
> >> 9 volt battery "backup." All six are on the same AC circuit.
> >>
> >> When one of them starts to "chirp" (indicating low battery),
> >> we replace the batteries in all of them.
> >>
> >> This is the drill:
> >>
> >> I remove AC at the breaker. I remove batteries from all six
> >> detectors. I press the "test" button on each (discharging
> >> the internal capacitor, and generating a few feeble beeps.)
> >> Then, I put new batteries in each. And finally, I turn on AC
> >> at the breaker.
> >>
> >> Here's the puzzle:
> >>
> >> Right now, I have the AC power off, all six have had their
> >> batteries removed, and all have had their test button pushed
> >> but...
> >>
> >> Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
> >> chirping individually.
> >>
> >> I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
> >> generate the chirp sound.
> >>
> >> Do these things photosynthesize?
> >>
> >> In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
> >> happen.
> >>
> >> Sincere thanks,
> >> --
> >> Kenneth
> >>
> >> If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
> >
> >When the voltage on the internal capacitor drops below a preset
> >threshold, the Test alarm circuit won't fire, indicating a failure,
> >ie. low battery. As a result, the Test circuit doesn't discharge the
> >capacitor completely and leaves enough charge to power the low battery
> >chirps which keep working for a while below the Test alarm threshold.
>
> Hi again,
>
> Your comment makes sense, but I have a question...
>
> When I hold in the test button the unit emits several tones
> of decreasing volume until there is no sound at all.
>
> Are you suggesting that at that point, there is still enough
> energy to produce the periodic "chirp?"
Yes, the test Beep circuit does not have enough voltage to fire but
the chirp circuit can still work for a while on the residual charge.
On Mar 4, 6:26 pm, "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Jim Behning" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
> I change my oil in the
>
> > car every 10,000 miles but that is the oil change interval.
>
> You might want to reconsider that change interval if you drive daily in the
> city.
> I worked in the automotive business and retired from it 10 years ago.
> Manufactures recommended oil change intervals are almost always under
> optimal driving conditions and any driving in the city is not considered
> optimal.
> Additionally I have always gone for the every 3,000 mile interval. A few
> years ago I made the mistake of buying 2 two new VW's 2 years apart. The
> service advisors would kinda laugh when I came in for the oil change at
> 3,000 miles and would point out to me that 10,000 miles was indicated. Just
> before getting rid of the last VW I received a letter from VW advising all
> owners to change the oil every 3,000 miles despite what the owners manual
> indicated and highly advised using a synthetic oil. Guess who got to give
> the service advisor the funny look the next time I took the car in for the
> oil change.
So the service manager wrote corporate and said "Hey, we got a guy
that comes in every 3000 miles to change his oil even though we told
him 10,000 was good, think we could convince the rest of the customers
to burn money like this?" They sent him a bonus check for the great
idea. You come in, give him the funny look, he goes in the back and
high fives all the other guys...;+}
-jtpr
Allen Roy wrote:
> Depending on brand, there is an internal capacitor to keep the circuit
> memory. 9 times out of 10 when the units chirp, the battery needs replaced.
I concur. And it is quite possible the chirping you're hearing now is
just a warning that the alarms are currently without power (either a/c
or battery). I'm betting everything is back to normal if you replace
your batteries and turn the power back on.
"Lee Michaels" wrote in message
>
> "Swingman" wrote
> >
> > "Kenneth" wrote in message
> >
> >> The reset button had been pressed.
> >>
> >> How did it get the energy to chirp?
> >
> > Stored in an onboard capacitor, from when it was previously powered, for
> > just the eventuality that you describe.
> >
> After careful consideration, I have decided that the manufacturer includes
> this feature to annoy us. This is the basis for many designs in consumer
> products.
There are many like this ... I really do want to commit murder on the
bastids who manufacture and sell "un-rippable by human hands without a sharp
object" PLASTIC wrapping.
Then there's the unspeakable things I would _cheerfully_ do to the purveyors
of "ED" medications who advertise during "family time" TV hours, and those
that accept said commercials.
Don't get me started ...
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07
"Jim Behning" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
I change my oil in the
> car every 10,000 miles but that is the oil change interval.
You might want to reconsider that change interval if you drive daily in the
city.
I worked in the automotive business and retired from it 10 years ago.
Manufactures recommended oil change intervals are almost always under
optimal driving conditions and any driving in the city is not considered
optimal.
Additionally I have always gone for the every 3,000 mile interval. A few
years ago I made the mistake of buying 2 two new VW's 2 years apart. The
service advisors would kinda laugh when I came in for the oil change at
3,000 miles and would point out to me that 10,000 miles was indicated. Just
before getting rid of the last VW I received a letter from VW advising all
owners to change the oil every 3,000 miles despite what the owners manual
indicated and highly advised using a synthetic oil. Guess who got to give
the service advisor the funny look the next time I took the car in for the
oil change.
dodging blocks of wood thrown. That explains why I have had batteries
fail at less than a year while others have lasted for years. There
appears to be a huge difference in performance.
Thnaks for the link. I need to stop by the emergency battery store
tomorrow to see what they have.
On Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:21:08 GMT, Nova <[email protected]> wrote:
>Jim Behning wrote:
>
>> Back to your regularly schedule off topic smoke detector discussion.
>>
>> Did anyone have an answer to what is the threshold battery voltage
>> where you should change a smoke detector battery?
>
>It's a difficult question to answer. Typical alkaline batteries
>maintain a fairly constant voltage until they fail. You can see various
>discharge charts at:
>
>http://www.powerstream.com/9V-Alkaline-tests.htm
>
>Batteries are inexpensive. Change them at the recommended interval.
>Your life could depend on it.
Depending on brand, there is an internal capacitor to keep the circuit
memory. 9 times out of 10 when the units chirp, the battery needs replaced.
However that one time is usually:
A) The unit has gone bad and the radiation has degraded the electronics
enough to cause it to chirp. Found in really old units mostly (+10 years
old).
B) There is cold air getting in to the unit. For some reason I found out
about this after going to a customers home to find out why no matter what
was put in the same location, it would chirp. As soon as I called the
factory, the CSR asked that after I explained what was going on. Some
investigating found an open window (in the middle of winter) near the box.
C) There is a loose connection in the battery.
D) Dirt or dust has gotten into the sensing area. Found in new construction
mostly.
Put them back up with new batteries and wait. If there is still a chirp,
clean the units with some canned air (not compressor air). Reinstall and
wait again. If it becomes the Energizer bunny, replace the unit that is
still going with the same manufacturer. The recommended interval for
changing the battery is every six months. The manufacturers recomend this
due to the fact a battery becomes weak after sitting idle for more than
that. I change mine on New Years Day and Father's Day. I want to make sure
that the battery doesn't fail when we might need it most.
Also how many people have picked up a can of smoke at a local supply to test
their smoke detectors.
Allen
"Kenneth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Howdy,
>
> We have a total of 6 smoke detectors in our home. They are
> of the sort that has AC power to all of 'em, and each has a
> 9 volt battery "backup." All six are on the same AC circuit.
>
> When one of them starts to "chirp" (indicating low battery),
> we replace the batteries in all of them.
>
> This is the drill:
>
> I remove AC at the breaker. I remove batteries from all six
> detectors. I press the "test" button on each (discharging
> the internal capacitor, and generating a few feeble beeps.)
> Then, I put new batteries in each. And finally, I turn on AC
> at the breaker.
>
> Here's the puzzle:
>
> Right now, I have the AC power off, all six have had their
> batteries removed, and all have had their test button pushed
> but...
>
> Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
> chirping individually.
>
> I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
> generate the chirp sound.
>
> Do these things photosynthesize?
>
> In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
> happen.
>
> Sincere thanks,
> --
> Kenneth
>
> If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mar 4, 9:11 pm, "Allen Roy" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Depending on brand, there is an internal capacitor to keep the circuit
>> memory. 9 times out of 10 when the units chirp, the battery needs
>> replaced.
>
> IOW the test button does not fully discharge the circuit and it chirps
> to
> warn you that the power is off, right?
>
Yes the test button does not discharge the circuit internally. The chirp
is a warning that there is NO power to the unit. I was told that it can last
anywhere from 3-5 days. And as a previous poster stated it is a threshold
that when it drops below it.
>>
>> Also how many people have picked up a can of smoke at a local supply to
>> test
>> their smoke detectors.
>>
>
> No need to. I make blackened catfish once in a while.
>
> --
My wife likes to burn cookies every so often to check ours.
Allen
My Toyota has 274,000 miles on it. I change the oil when I think about
it. Sometimes 5,000 miles sometimes 15,000 miles. The 15,000 or
greater intervals were mistakes. Kind of forget when the oil level
does not drop much between changes. Actually I think I did 25,000
miles one oil change intentionally to see what an oil anaysis looked
like. I had the head off that truck not that long ago. No nasty junk
on the head. Still crosshatch marks in the cylinders. I have had VWs
with negligble wear in the cylinders with same erratic oil changes.
Heads are pretty clean. I do not drive severe duty driving. Well at
least now that I do not have to tow a horse trailer as my wife is not
showing horses. I really don't believe that changing the oil every
month is going to benefit me. My 4 year old VW has 148,000 miles on it
but I think I have used about 5,000 gallons of fuel. Yes fuel consumed
has notthing to do with the discussion. I will probably keep that car
for more like 500,000 miles if I keep with the same crazy amount of
driving.
When I was a kid I recall sludge on heads all the time on cars I might
touch in Cleveland Ohio. I was a kid so they were not my cars. Subzero
weather and less than 10 mile trips are harder on cars and oil than my
almost always above zero Atlanta weather and my 40+ mile one way
drives. I have used synthetic oil since about 1985 without any signs
of oil problems. Extended oil changes with regular oil in severe duty
is crazy. I also do not drive 100 mph everywhere which would get it
back to severe duty. On the other hand I do not keep cars long. I seem
to get rid of them when they have 300,000 miles on them. Toyota should
be around another 5 years as I do not drive it that much now. I have
had it just 20 years now.
My 67 Beetle went through a few engines and I changed the oil as per
the manual. Every 3,000 miles. But that was before I used synthetic
engine oil. But most aircooled engines were due for a rebuild every
100,000 miles. At minimum new exhaust valves and a set of guides.
Where I live and the way I drive you could never convince me that
3,000 mile oil changes benefits anyone but the oil companies. If I
lived in a cold climate I might have a different idea. Also if oil
analysis told me I was crazy then I would change my habits.
On Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:20:04 GMT, "CW" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I agree with you. I'm an ex mechanic. I have seen the crud in oil from
>letting it go to long. No crud is good crud. It wears on your engine. Oil is
>cheap, engines aren't.
>
>"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Jim Behning" <[email protected]> wrote in
>message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> I change my oil in the
>> > car every 10,000 miles but that is the oil change interval.
>>
>> You might want to reconsider that change interval if you drive daily in
>the
>> city.
>> I worked in the automotive business and retired from it 10 years ago.
>> Manufactures recommended oil change intervals are almost always under
>> optimal driving conditions and any driving in the city is not considered
>> optimal.
>> Additionally I have always gone for the every 3,000 mile interval. A few
>> years ago I made the mistake of buying 2 two new VW's 2 years apart. The
>> service advisors would kinda laugh when I came in for the oil change at
>> 3,000 miles and would point out to me that 10,000 miles was indicated.
>Just
>> before getting rid of the last VW I received a letter from VW advising all
>> owners to change the oil every 3,000 miles despite what the owners manual
>> indicated and highly advised using a synthetic oil. Guess who got to give
>> the service advisor the funny look the next time I took the car in for the
>> oil change.
>>
>>
>
On 6 Mar 2007 09:58:45 -0800, [email protected]
wrote:
>> Are you suggesting that at that point, there is still enough
>> energy to produce the periodic "chirp?"
>
>Yes, the test Beep circuit does not have enough voltage to fire but
>the chirp circuit can still work for a while on the residual charge.
Interesting...
Thanks,
--
Kenneth
If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
Jim Behning wrote:
> Back to your regularly schedule off topic smoke detector discussion.
>
> Did anyone have an answer to what is the threshold battery voltage
> where you should change a smoke detector battery?
It's a difficult question to answer. Typical alkaline batteries
maintain a fairly constant voltage until they fail. You can see various
discharge charts at:
http://www.powerstream.com/9V-Alkaline-tests.htm
Batteries are inexpensive. Change them at the recommended interval.
Your life could depend on it.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
[email protected]
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
> chirping individually.
>
> I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
> generate the chirp sound.
>
> Do these things photosynthesize?
>
> In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
> happen.
>
You have birds nesting in the attic?
-P.
--
=========================================
firstname dot lastname at gmail fullstop com
"Kenneth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
[snip]...
>
> Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
> chirping individually.
>
> I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
> generate the chirp sound.
>
> Do these things photosynthesize?
I am an electrician by trade, and the guys in the supply house tell me that
some detectors can chirp for days after being removed from power. Sorry, I
don't have a technical answer, but I have witnessed this myself.
A true story... A large box of "defectivce" detectors were returned by a
contractor. Apparently he installed the wrong model in a multi-family
building, and had to replace the entire lot. These were removed a few weeks
after installation and all the batteries "recycled" (put to other uses) and
this box of detectors was still chirping days after being delivered to the
supplier.
GWK
"Kenneth" wrote in message
> On Sun, 4 Mar 2007 17:45:58 -0600, "Swingman"
> wrote:
>
> >Many of these battery+hard wired smoke detectors seem to chirp, with or
> >without a battery, if there is suddenly a loose power connection in that
> >unit, or in the circuit.
>
> Hello again,
>
> The device was connected to a circuit with the breaker
> tripped. There was no battery installed.
"With the breaker tripped" is basically the same as if there was a loose/no
connection ... IOW, no power to the unit from either the battery, or the
house electrical service.
> The reset button had been pressed.
>
> How did it get the energy to chirp?
Stored in an onboard capacitor, from when it was previously powered, for
just the eventuality that you describe.
>
> Thanks,
You're welcome.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07
I agree with you. I'm an ex mechanic. I have seen the crud in oil from
letting it go to long. No crud is good crud. It wears on your engine. Oil is
cheap, engines aren't.
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Jim Behning" <[email protected]> wrote in
message
> news:[email protected]...
> I change my oil in the
> > car every 10,000 miles but that is the oil change interval.
>
> You might want to reconsider that change interval if you drive daily in
the
> city.
> I worked in the automotive business and retired from it 10 years ago.
> Manufactures recommended oil change intervals are almost always under
> optimal driving conditions and any driving in the city is not considered
> optimal.
> Additionally I have always gone for the every 3,000 mile interval. A few
> years ago I made the mistake of buying 2 two new VW's 2 years apart. The
> service advisors would kinda laugh when I came in for the oil change at
> 3,000 miles and would point out to me that 10,000 miles was indicated.
Just
> before getting rid of the last VW I received a letter from VW advising all
> owners to change the oil every 3,000 miles despite what the owners manual
> indicated and highly advised using a synthetic oil. Guess who got to give
> the service advisor the funny look the next time I took the car in for the
> oil change.
>
>
"Kenneth" wrote in message
> I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
> generate the chirp sound.
>
> Do these things photosynthesize?
>
> In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
> happen.
Many of these battery+hard wired smoke detectors seem to chirp, with or
without a battery, if there is suddenly a loose power connection in that
unit, or in the circuit.
So, in addition to the obvious things, I would also check for a loose
connection, maybe to that unit, or somewhere in the hardwired circuit,
especially if you just powered that circuit off and on.
Amazing how often a "bad connection" shows up in new construction that has
just been powered on and off a few times in the electrical trim out/testing
stage. A circuit that worked an hour ago, may not an hour from now due to a
connection somewhere in the run that was somehow "loosened" during one of
these power cycles.
AAMOF, I've got one in chirping in a new house as we speak ... noticed it
yesterday, and, since it is unoccupied, I will deal with it tomorrow. ;)
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 2/20/07
On Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:22:38 GMT, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Jim Behning" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>>
>> Where I live and the way I drive you could never convince me that
>> 3,000 mile oil changes benefits anyone but the oil companies. If I
>> lived in a cold climate I might have a different idea. Also if oil
>> analysis told me I was crazy then I would change my habits.
>>
>
>It sounds like you do mostly highway driving and don't live very far South
>where hot days, 98 degrees and up, are normal. The synthetic oil is the key
>for your good luck and probably because you don't go extended periods of
>time between changes. Contamination build up is what wears the engines
>whether the oil is worn out or not. If you are changing the oil often, time
>wise, regardless of miles, that is also key in keeping the engine in good
>shape.
>
Well it is sort of hot in Atlanta. I buy my oil filters 6-10 at a
time. Enough for two years of oil changes. I am probably using the
wrong syntehtic oil but it is too much of a pain to buy 4 gallons at a
time at the oil wholesaler. Stupid whine there but semi conflicting
labels on the oil. Now I am abusing my tractor engine. I really should
not do that as it does not get its annual oil change. Next time it is
warm I need to change it. I guess you guys convinced me to at least
treat the tractor better. How can I move Unisaws around if my tractor
dies? I need to treat the tractor better.
Back to your regularly schedule off topic smoke detector discussion.
Did anyone have an answer to what is the threshold battery voltage
where you should change a smoke detector battery?
On 5 Mar 2007 09:35:00 -0800, [email protected]
wrote:
>On Mar 4, 5:31 pm, Kenneth <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Howdy,
>>
>> We have a total of 6 smoke detectors in our home. They are
>> of the sort that has AC power to all of 'em, and each has a
>> 9 volt battery "backup." All six are on the same AC circuit.
>>
>> When one of them starts to "chirp" (indicating low battery),
>> we replace the batteries in all of them.
>>
>> This is the drill:
>>
>> I remove AC at the breaker. I remove batteries from all six
>> detectors. I press the "test" button on each (discharging
>> the internal capacitor, and generating a few feeble beeps.)
>> Then, I put new batteries in each. And finally, I turn on AC
>> at the breaker.
>>
>> Here's the puzzle:
>>
>> Right now, I have the AC power off, all six have had their
>> batteries removed, and all have had their test button pushed
>> but...
>>
>> Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
>> chirping individually.
>>
>> I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
>> generate the chirp sound.
>>
>> Do these things photosynthesize?
>>
>> In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
>> happen.
>>
>> Sincere thanks,
>> --
>> Kenneth
>>
>> If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
>
>When the voltage on the internal capacitor drops below a preset
>threshold, the Test alarm circuit won't fire, indicating a failure,
>ie. low battery. As a result, the Test circuit doesn't discharge the
>capacitor completely and leaves enough charge to power the low battery
>chirps which keep working for a while below the Test alarm threshold.
Hi again,
Your comment makes sense, but I have a question...
When I hold in the test button the unit emits several tones
of decreasing volume until there is no sound at all.
Are you suggesting that at that point, there is still enough
energy to produce the periodic "chirp?"
Thanks,
--
Kenneth
If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
On Mon, 5 Mar 2007 14:03:02 -0600, "Swingman"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Stored in an onboard capacitor, from when it was previously powered, for
>just the eventuality that you describe.
Hi again,
It is my understanding that pressing the reset button
discharges the capacitor. At least, that is what I was told
by the tech support person working for the manufacturer.
Thanks again,
--
Kenneth
If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
On Tue, 06 Mar 2007 17:57:25 -0500, Kenneth
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On 6 Mar 2007 09:58:45 -0800, [email protected]
>wrote:
>
>>> Are you suggesting that at that point, there is still enough
>>> energy to produce the periodic "chirp?"
>>
>>Yes, the test Beep circuit does not have enough voltage to fire but
>>the chirp circuit can still work for a while on the residual charge.
>
>Interesting...
>
>Thanks,
Today, I purchased a new detector (same model), installed
it, and within about two hours, it was chirping.
That seemed to leave only the possibility that the AC to
that location was somehow flaky, so I re-wired it.
Still, it chirped.
Then I had another idea...
I called the manufacturer to ask if there were any
conditions that could cause a problem in one detector to
cause another (sound detector) to chirp.
The answer: "Yes...!"
The suggested solution is to remove all of 'em, reset all of
'em, and then re-install all of 'em.
I'll do that tomorrow.
All the best,
--
Kenneth
If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
In article <[email protected]>,
"Allen Roy" <[email protected]> wrote:
> D) Dirt or dust has gotten into the sensing area. Found in new construction
> mostly.
The detector in my shop went off a couple of weeks ago. When I opened
the case, a spider ran out.
--
"Keep your ass behind you."
On Sun, 4 Mar 2007 17:45:58 -0600, "Swingman"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Many of these battery+hard wired smoke detectors seem to chirp, with or
>without a battery, if there is suddenly a loose power connection in that
>unit, or in the circuit.
Hello again,
The device was connected to a circuit with the breaker
tripped. There was no battery installed.
The reset button had been pressed.
How did it get the energy to chirp?
Thanks,
--
Kenneth
If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
Ok, here is a better question for me. At what battery voltage should
you replace the batteries?
On Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:03:17 GMT, Jim Behning
<[email protected]> wrote:
>You wired your house like mine where the smoke detectors are on a
>dedicated circuit? The smoke detectors have an alarm wire so if one
>alarms they all alarm? I change the batteries one at a time. Good
>batteries last years longer than cheap batteries. I will ignore the
>you must change the batteries every year crowd. I change my oil in the
>car every 10,000 miles but that is the oil change interval. No ideas
>on your issue though. My guess or question would be if you remove
>each and every detector at the same time, they all sit at the kitchen
>table as you replace the batteries?
>
>On Sun, 04 Mar 2007 17:31:33 -0500, Kenneth
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>Howdy,
>>
>>We have a total of 6 smoke detectors in our home. They are
>>of the sort that has AC power to all of 'em, and each has a
>>9 volt battery "backup." All six are on the same AC circuit.
>>
>>When one of them starts to "chirp" (indicating low battery),
>>we replace the batteries in all of them.
>>
>>This is the drill:
>>
>>I remove AC at the breaker. I remove batteries from all six
>>detectors. I press the "test" button on each (discharging
>>the internal capacitor, and generating a few feeble beeps.)
>>Then, I put new batteries in each. And finally, I turn on AC
>>at the breaker.
>>
>>Here's the puzzle:
>>
>>Right now, I have the AC power off, all six have had their
>>batteries removed, and all have had their test button pushed
>>but...
>>
>>Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
>>chirping individually.
>>
>>I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
>>generate the chirp sound.
>>
>>Do these things photosynthesize?
>>
>>In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
>>happen.
>>
>>Sincere thanks,
"Swingman" wrote
>
> "Kenneth" wrote in message
>
>> The reset button had been pressed.
>>
>> How did it get the energy to chirp?
>
> Stored in an onboard capacitor, from when it was previously powered, for
> just the eventuality that you describe.
>
After careful consideration, I have decided that the manufacturer includes
this feature to annoy us. This is the basis for many designs in consumer
products.
You wired your house like mine where the smoke detectors are on a
dedicated circuit? The smoke detectors have an alarm wire so if one
alarms they all alarm? I change the batteries one at a time. Good
batteries last years longer than cheap batteries. I will ignore the
you must change the batteries every year crowd. I change my oil in the
car every 10,000 miles but that is the oil change interval. No ideas
on your issue though. My guess or question would be if you remove
each and every detector at the same time, they all sit at the kitchen
table as you replace the batteries?
On Sun, 04 Mar 2007 17:31:33 -0500, Kenneth
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Howdy,
>
>We have a total of 6 smoke detectors in our home. They are
>of the sort that has AC power to all of 'em, and each has a
>9 volt battery "backup." All six are on the same AC circuit.
>
>When one of them starts to "chirp" (indicating low battery),
>we replace the batteries in all of them.
>
>This is the drill:
>
>I remove AC at the breaker. I remove batteries from all six
>detectors. I press the "test" button on each (discharging
>the internal capacitor, and generating a few feeble beeps.)
>Then, I put new batteries in each. And finally, I turn on AC
>at the breaker.
>
>Here's the puzzle:
>
>Right now, I have the AC power off, all six have had their
>batteries removed, and all have had their test button pushed
>but...
>
>Every few minutes, and apparently randomly, they are
>chirping individually.
>
>I can't figure out where they are getting the energy to
>generate the chirp sound.
>
>Do these things photosynthesize?
>
>In any case, I would welcome any thoughts on how this might
>happen.
>
>Sincere thanks,
"Jim Behning" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Where I live and the way I drive you could never convince me that
> 3,000 mile oil changes benefits anyone but the oil companies. If I
> lived in a cold climate I might have a different idea. Also if oil
> analysis told me I was crazy then I would change my habits.
>
It sounds like you do mostly highway driving and don't live very far South
where hot days, 98 degrees and up, are normal. The synthetic oil is the key
for your good luck and probably because you don't go extended periods of
time between changes. Contamination build up is what wears the engines
whether the oil is worn out or not. If you are changing the oil often, time
wise, regardless of miles, that is also key in keeping the engine in good
shape.