Fire alarm power fault

[electrospark]

Hi , fire alarm fault question.
So I have a fire alarm panel ( c-tec) which intermittently showing a power supply fault. I can reset the system and clear the fault. Sometimes it's fine for days at a time and other days it comes back immediately. I have checked all the internal fuses on the supply circuitry board and the voltage of the batteries measuring 12 volts.
Do you think this May need a replacement power supply circuit board?
Thanks

 

[RF Lighting]

My first two tests would be an IBT test on the batteries, and a voltage logger on the mains supply.

 

[OwainDIYer]

I think the battery's life expired - how old is it?

 

[EightyTwo]

How old are the batteries? More than 5 years? Change them!! Don't forget to write the date on the new ones.

Haven't got an IBT? Remove the mains and measure tha voltage across each battery whilst they are powering the alarm. Or you could try connecting a 12V halogen lamp (dichroic) to each battery and measure the voltage. If it drops like a stone or is below 10V, the battery is knackered. Remember to replace both batteries at the same time.

 

[electrospark]

The batteries are about 7 years old so yes I think this is a good starting point. I think I measured the voltage but I'm going back about 4 weeks now and I think I did it with the batteries disconnected so I will check again whilst connected to the panel with the supply off.

What's the IBT? Current?

Thanks

 

[EightyTwo]

IBT - Intellegent Battery Tester. Made by a company called ACT it is the most common piece of test kit that alarm engineers have for testing batteries. It is ubiquitous and, although not perfect, is the most straightforward way to test sealed lead-acid batteries.

In the old days, we would connect a car cigar lighter and see how long it took to pop out (if at all)...

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/29225.pdf

p.s. I think that they're obsolete now.

 

[Spark123]

CPC do the gold version of the ACT battery tester, £216 inc VAT
http://cpc.farnell.com/act-meters/a.../dp/IN05952?in_merch=Products From This Range

 

[Europlex]

About 7yrs old, you've had your money's worth, replace them, don't bother with all the checks.