480sparky

Today's service call:

HO removed a dwelling smoke detector because it was beeping. They replaced it with an identical unit, and it still kept beeping, so they just removed it and pulled the battery out.

I arrive and can't tell which smoke is the old one, and which one is the new one. So I put a known good battery in one, and install it.

It beeps every 10 seconds or so. OK, so I pull the battery out and install the second smokie. Again, it beeps every 10 seconds.

My volt pen says there's power.


What next?














(OK, for those of you who don't know how this works, I ALREADY KNOW THE SOLUTION. I am not asking for it, I am simply posting this thread for the benefit of those who wish to learn)

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In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

ampman

volt pen is not the same as a volt meter low voltage ???

JayH

A digital volt meter.

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ampman

yes --fluke to be percise

mcclary's electrical

Are there more smokes somewhere else? Check for voltage on the interconnect wire. 9 volts dc

JohnJ0906

At this point for me, the next step would be to give the Estwing treatment to both smokes.






Actually, I always make sure to use the test button. This often "resets" the smoke, and the chirping stops. Also, I try a fresh battery. As well as ensuring there is actually 120v, and the spices are secure.

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John from Baltimore
"One day at a Time"
All responses based on the '08 NEC
It's not my fault, it's not my problem, I'm not your solution.

480sparky

Unfortunately, I'm over 800 miles from home.

And I really didn't want to spend any money on even a cheap meter just to take one voltage reading.

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In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

steelersman

I usually don't go do service calls that are more than 750 miles from home. But that's just me. And if I did, I'd have my tools and meters with me. But again that's just me.

Rudeboy

Are all of the smokes periodically chirping or just the one?

480sparky

Just the one in question.

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In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

Rudeboy

Loose neutral.

480sparky

That was my first thought. So I pulled the mounting plate down and checked the connections. All 3 were good.

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In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

EE1

I think someone already got it. Hold down the reset button until you get them all going off for 15 seconds or so. This usually does the trick!

Rudeboy

You said you didn't know which was the new smoke, did the battery have a proper connection? Meaning, if it's the old smoke the tabs might be jacked up?

480sparky

When I arrived, I have provided with two identical smokes. One was original to the house wiring, and one that they purchased in hopes to solve the problem. The new one didn't solve the problem.

New battery installed in both, and they both beeped every 10 seconds or so.

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In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

480sparky

What reset button? I've never seen a smoke with a reset button.

Some have a ShutTheF*ckUp button, but reset?

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In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

steelersman

test button

Rudeboy

Be honest, how long did this call take you, not including the 800 mile drive? I won't laugh if you say four hours.

480sparky

I never looked at a clock, but I'd say 10 minutes or so.

__________________
In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

Rudeboy

how about another hint.

(sorry, it was a very long day and my brain doesn't really want to work overtime.)