Alarm fault

[Rekusu]

What ho one and all,

Leaving the house today and pressed the Set button on the Accenta Mini Gen 4 RKP, only to get an immediate beep, beep, beep from the external sounder. It was not the normal alarm sound, but certainly sound more like a warning noise.

Additionally, the red 'power' led on the RKP is flashing at around 10 second intervals. Un-setting the alarm, and the sounder beeping continues for around another 30 seconds.

Cannot find any reference to the issue in the manual but would appear to be power related. I will check the control panel fuses and the date of the back-up battery but of 'greater' concern is the back-up battery in the Reson 8 external sounder. It is a 6v Ni-Cad and has never been replaced in the 15 years since installation. (I only use the term 'greater' concern because that requires tallish ladder work to replace it.)

Presumably, the Ni-Cad should be replaced but the manual has no mention of a life expectancy.

Checked the control panel and mains fuse and all good.

The 12v back-up battery has my sticker suggesting to renew July 2023 (could that be the issue?) but is registering 12.2v

When everything is connected again, the RKP is just displaying a single row of black boxes and the sounder is beeping. Upon setting the alarm, the countdown beeps start and the sounder did do its thing, but upon un-setting, the sounder beeping continues.

The only two possibilities in my mind are the 12v battery and/or the 6v sounder Ni-Cad.

Grateful for any thoughts or suggestion as to any other possible causes.

 

[secureiam]

i would disconnect the battery and see if things improve.

I would also check the pcb for component failure burn marks which can occur. Multiple threads on here with pictures to help guide you.

 

[sparkymarka]

Bellbox battery will have no interaction with that panel
Either back up battery is no good ….and it’s not burnt out the charging resistor….it should show 13.8 ….not 12.2 ….remove battery and check voltage coming out of battery leads …

 

[Rekusu]

Thank you.

Battery was 12.2 when disconnected and I am attempting to buy a new one (attempting because Amazon checkout is for some reason, not working!!!) Will also replace the sounder battery as it must be well past its sell by date.

 

[sparkymarka]

What’s coming out of the battery leads ? It’s pointless putting in a new battery if the panel charging output is faulty

 

[Rekusu]

What’s coming out of the battery leads ? Not sure I understand what this means? The control panel batter,with my replace by July 2023 sticker is giving 12.2v and the sounder Ni-Cad (probably quite old) is giving 6v.

I know things go 'bad' but why would the charging output just fail? How do I check the charging output?

 

[pcaouolte]

How do I check the charging output

Stick your volt meter on the two leads that you have disconnected from the battery. This will tell you what voltage the panel is supplying to the battery.

 

[Rekusu]

Just watched a YouTube vid. Disconnected battery is giving around 6v and when connected to the power, around 7.5v. Does this imply the charging circuit is faulty?

With the panel powered, the sounder (Ni-Cad removed) is either doing its alarm thing or some kind of lower volume warning noise; the RKP is also giving the activated sound.

 

[secureiam]

The battery leads coming out of the panel test at ?

 

[Rekusu]

Thank you for your advice. The panel is giving around 12.6v to the battery. Probably not significant but the sounder is also working so presumably, that is taking some power from the reading?

OK, battery alone around 7.5v
Battery connected but main off, around 4.4v
Battery connected with mains on, around 8.7v

Does this imply a faulty charging circuit?

Certainly, both panel and sounder batteries need to be replace. If I do so, is this likely to cure the issue?

 

[secureiam]

i would check the board for signs of damage, it’s a little low.

Might be repairable however if you can’t do that yourself then it’s probably not worth getting someone to repair for you.

Not sure if you would get away with a new battery, you might.

 

[secureiam]

Panels are obsolete you may get some new old stock units knocking about if you want to keep it the same as your used to.

 

[Rekusu]

Again, many thanks. Not worried about having to replace if necessary as I installed the alarm myself when I built the house.

New 12v battery reading 12.87v unconnected
12.7v when connected but mains off
12.6v with mains on

However, still getting a loud pulsing beeping from the sounder but that could be due to no Ni-Cad battery; awaiting delivery.

Are the above numbers consistent with a working panel that only needed a new battery?