Changing batteries in hard wired smoke detectors
- Thread starter Paddy
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grsthegreat
Super Star Member
120v Smoke detectors have had battery backup since as far as i can remember. Its suggested that all smoke detector batteries be replaced yearly, even those with 120v.
That being said... I dont do that. I relace all detectors when the first one chirps. Im an electrician and i cant believe how many calls i get about smokies chirping even after new batteries are installed. Just replacing batteries doesnt always work. There cheap and i like the safety of having good detectors.
On the job sites, if a customer calls to have battery replaced and smokie is very high up requiring very tall ladder, i insist on using new detector. The labor to set ladder and get to unit is just too high to just replace battery.
That being said... I dont do that. I relace all detectors when the first one chirps. Im an electrician and i cant believe how many calls i get about smokies chirping even after new batteries are installed. Just replacing batteries doesnt always work. There cheap and i like the safety of having good detectors.
On the job sites, if a customer calls to have battery replaced and smokie is very high up requiring very tall ladder, i insist on using new detector. The labor to set ladder and get to unit is just too high to just replace battery.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
That is a good point, but mine are all reachable by standing on the floor. Just a little tippy toes on a couple.
Exactly. Safe to be in use up to that point, but reaching their end of shelf life.
I have had several issues with mine over the years, but they have been great for the past 4. Up until then, I was fighting chirps at least once a year. I finally got them all thoroughly cleaned by blowing and vacuuming, and eventually replaced one detector that still had issues. Since then they've been great. I agree with you too, after all the struggles I will quickly swap out any problem unit from now on.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
oh man... This remindes me of a customer call from maybe 10 years ago. He called me to say that none of his detectors were working properly. None. So i drove to job thinking all batteries are dead. Turned out after i replaced the first one, nothing was working, not even test chirp. I questioned him and found out he had just cleaned them all before this happened.
I swear on a pack of bibles he told me he ran them all thru the dishwasher to clean them. After i stopped laughing , i told him id have to make a run to supply house to get a box of new ones.
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
just replaced one of mine that was 18 yrs old. Had to redo the wiring pigtail as the new one had a different plug shape, but still interconnect with the old ones. I bought 2 so I have a spare now. Also had the CO detectors give their end of life chirp last year, so they were replaced.
New smoke detectors has the battery door on the bottom, don't have to unattach from the base to change it like the old ones.
New smoke detectors has the battery door on the bottom, don't have to unattach from the base to change it like the old ones.
ruffdog
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I have BRK electronics inc. model 4919 smoke alarms in my house. They are hard wired and all connected together and have no battery back-up. The instructions do not talk of a battery to replace and have been in the house since 1995 when it was built.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
I got a chuckle out of that. Reminds me of the old days when I ran telephone PBX service calls. I saw some really interesting things.
mark02tj
Platinum Member
Are the units and wiring interchangeable from brand to brand? Our house was built 15 years ago and I'm wondering if I should think about replacing them?