C
chaindaisy
Hi Adrian, good to hear from you again.
If cash wasn't so tight these days, I would tend to agree with Europlex. To my knowledge he is an experienced engineer with about forty years in the trade under his belt. And this is where the problem arises. After we have worked so long in this field we tend to think that all installers have the same credibility as ourselves, I often have to remind myself, even when reading posts on forums, that there are good installers out there with first class records and then there are the 'cowboys'. Very often, in fact 'all of the time', the only people who can recognise a 'cowboy' at a hundred yards are the likes of Europlex. It is very difficult for the average person to do so. Were you to go along this route then you would need to be completely assured that the people you use are not 'here today and gone tomorrow'. It is probable that you could find a first class act who does not charge the earth, they outnumber the cowboys, but do your homework before deciding. I am not suggesting that Europlex is in any way wrong, he has a valid point and I'm sure he's thought about it before making the suggestion. It is certainly something which you should think about. Here's why, and I guess it's the same reasoning as that of Europlex.
At some point you will need to provide the existing warning device with the correct wiring procedure, and it differs from sounder to sounder. Having uncovered the right way to do this, you will almost certainly need to 'get up the ladder' and remove the bellbox cover (if you don't know for certain the exact make and model of the warning device ). Even if you can get away without doing that, it makes sense to check the warning device anyway while you are in the process of changing the panel.
You are correct as far as hold off current is concerned and there is a way of keeping the outside sounder quiet while you change the panel, but that said, you must have the correct connections when the new panel is installed. We'll leave that for now, and look at the detection devices:-
I could be totally wrong on this, so suggestions or 'knock downs' are welcome:- There are a few ways to 'tamper' devices; double pole, end of line and double end of line. If your detectors have been connected using either of the last two, then you would need to remove the 'resistors' from within the detectors. Each detector should be opened and checked for colour codes and even 'creepy crawlies' if holes in the mounting plates have not been blocked up by the initial installer.
You mention fuses, and you may need quite a few spares since blowing them is not uncommon when replacing a panel.
So there are quite a few good reasons why Europlex has made his suggestion.
You appear to be 'of the breed' who can change the panel with minimal problems, but there are questions which you may need to ask along the way. You will not receive answers on public forum where those answers could compromise the security of yourself or others, I have therefore left that for a later date when you can either pm or email those questions.
Should you decide to change the panel yourself, it is advisable that you leave the existing arrangement intact until you receive the new panel, become totally familiar with the installation instructions and bench test the panel.
Please keep in touch.
If cash wasn't so tight these days, I would tend to agree with Europlex. To my knowledge he is an experienced engineer with about forty years in the trade under his belt. And this is where the problem arises. After we have worked so long in this field we tend to think that all installers have the same credibility as ourselves, I often have to remind myself, even when reading posts on forums, that there are good installers out there with first class records and then there are the 'cowboys'. Very often, in fact 'all of the time', the only people who can recognise a 'cowboy' at a hundred yards are the likes of Europlex. It is very difficult for the average person to do so. Were you to go along this route then you would need to be completely assured that the people you use are not 'here today and gone tomorrow'. It is probable that you could find a first class act who does not charge the earth, they outnumber the cowboys, but do your homework before deciding. I am not suggesting that Europlex is in any way wrong, he has a valid point and I'm sure he's thought about it before making the suggestion. It is certainly something which you should think about. Here's why, and I guess it's the same reasoning as that of Europlex.
At some point you will need to provide the existing warning device with the correct wiring procedure, and it differs from sounder to sounder. Having uncovered the right way to do this, you will almost certainly need to 'get up the ladder' and remove the bellbox cover (if you don't know for certain the exact make and model of the warning device ). Even if you can get away without doing that, it makes sense to check the warning device anyway while you are in the process of changing the panel.
You are correct as far as hold off current is concerned and there is a way of keeping the outside sounder quiet while you change the panel, but that said, you must have the correct connections when the new panel is installed. We'll leave that for now, and look at the detection devices:-
I could be totally wrong on this, so suggestions or 'knock downs' are welcome:- There are a few ways to 'tamper' devices; double pole, end of line and double end of line. If your detectors have been connected using either of the last two, then you would need to remove the 'resistors' from within the detectors. Each detector should be opened and checked for colour codes and even 'creepy crawlies' if holes in the mounting plates have not been blocked up by the initial installer.
You mention fuses, and you may need quite a few spares since blowing them is not uncommon when replacing a panel.
So there are quite a few good reasons why Europlex has made his suggestion.
You appear to be 'of the breed' who can change the panel with minimal problems, but there are questions which you may need to ask along the way. You will not receive answers on public forum where those answers could compromise the security of yourself or others, I have therefore left that for a later date when you can either pm or email those questions.
Should you decide to change the panel yourself, it is advisable that you leave the existing arrangement intact until you receive the new panel, become totally familiar with the installation instructions and bench test the panel.
Please keep in touch.
