All,
I’ve got a 2GIG Smoke Detector that won’t stop the panel from chirping due to a low battery. We’ve swapped the CR123A Lithium batteries twice with new batteries and it’s still causing a low battery warning. What else could be the issue?
Thanks!
Is this tied to a suretyDIY Alarm.com account? We would be able to look into this sensor’s history if so.
Otherwise, it sounds like you are using an SMKT2-345. That is the previous model of detector, so there may be a couple things at play:
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Check the date of manufacture. A “replace by” date should be on the housing, and it is possible that the sensor is nearing end of life depending on how old it is.
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Make sure to check the date on the batteries you are using. The SMKT2 is set to produce low battery signals at 2.7V. Are you able to test the batteries’ voltage?
It is tied to an alarm.com account. I’ll take a look at the replace by date. I’ve tried several sets of new batteries so I doubt it’s a battery issue. What info do you need to check it via ADC?
It is tied to an alarm.com account... What info do you need to check it via ADC?
Got it. Looks like the Alarm.com subscription wasn’t originally tied to this suretyDIY profile, but I am looking at the history now. I’m not seeing any reports other than what appears to be the first low battery alert.
Does the sensor itself still beep every 45 seconds indicating low battery? Or is it only the panel making audible alerts?
When was the last time you swapped the batteries on this sensor? I do not see a tamper since the low battery alert started.
Does the sensor itself still beep every 45 seconds indicating low battery? Or is it only the panel making audible alerts?It's just the panel.
When was the last time you swapped the batteries on this sensor? I do not see a tamper since the low battery alert started.We just swapped them yesterday again. It seems that it's not triggering a tamper alert when we take either of the smoke detectors we have off the ceiling.
Hmm. a couple things to check, as it sounds like the sensor may not be responding at all:
Check the battery orientation to ensure positive and negative are correct.
Does the LED on the detector flash at all?
If you hold the test button, does your smoke detector trigger its sounder? (place your account on test with CS if you have monitoring)
We want to verify that the detector is currently powering on and responding.
Check the battery orientation to ensure positive and negative are correct.
It’s correct.
Does the LED on the detector flash at all?
Yes.
If you hold the test button, does your smoke detector trigger its sounder? (place your account on test with CS if you have monitoring)Yes it does.
Does this sound like I just need to replace the unit?
Does this sound like I just need to replace the unit?
Perhaps, however if the smoke detector is still functioning but the panel is not receiving signals there may be something environmental causing the issue.
If you hold the test button down for 3-4 cadences of beeps, does your panel indicate a fire alarm?
How far away is the detector from the panel?
If you hold the test button down for 3-4 cadences of beeps, does your panel indicate a fire alarm?
It does not.
How far away is the detector from the panel?
Maybe 20’.
If you bring the detector closer to the panel, press and hold the test button for 20 seconds, does the panel indicate a fire alarm?
It sounds like signaling is the main problem occurring, but at that distance of 20 feet, there should be no problems. Can you verify the model number on the sticker? Or could you post a photo of the underside of the sensor?
Checking on the proximity now.
If you bring the detector closer to the panel, press and hold the test button for 20 seconds, does the panel indicate a fire alarm?
So holding it for 20 seconds next to the panel sounds the alarm on the panel. Holding it for 20 seconds while it’s on the ceiling also sounds the panel fire alarm which makes me think communication isn’t a problem.
Interesting. I do see the alarms in history (looks like you tested two detectors) but I see that the panel still does report low battery for that sensor.
Can you try power cycling your alarm panel? Power down, ac first then battery, wait a minute, then power back up battery first, then ac.
Once it is powered back up, try testing that smoke one more time by holding the test button and let’s see if a low battery alert also comes up then or shortly after.
Interesting. I do see the alarms in history (looks like you tested two detectors) but I see that the panel still does report low battery for that sensor.Can you try power cycling your alarm panel? Power down, ac first then battery, wait a minute, then power back up battery first, then ac.
Once it is powered back up, try testing that smoke one more time by holding the test button and let’s see if a low battery alert also comes up then or shortly after.
I just got around to trying that and I’m still getting a low battery.
Just got off the phone with ADC on this. I’m seeing a bit of a pattern (a couple others reporting a similar issue) and I’ve had Alarm.com send a few commands to refresh the status and see if it may be a loop where the panel is not updating its status properly.
Can you verify whether the low battery alert is still visible or is it gone now?
Can you verify whether the low battery alert is still visible or is it gone now?
I don’t see it when logging into ADC but it’s still showing up on the panel.
I see the alert is back which is a strong indication that this is still a low battery situation (at least the sensor is reporting that.)
Can you try swapping out with brand new batteries, then pressing the test button? What is the date on the batteries you just used?
We’ve swapped the CR123A Lithium batteries twice with new batteries and it’s still causing a low battery warning
I just had another smkt2 do this (low battery), and I discovered why the trouble would not clear.
You need to remove the batteries, and wait at least 30 seconds before putting the new ones back in to detector. if you do not do this, the trouble will not clear panel.
It even states this inside the detector housing (see ‘warning’ label).
You need to remove the batteries, and wait at least 30 seconds before putting the new ones back in to detector. if you do not do this, the trouble will not clear panel.
Very nice catch. I would have expected a panel reboot to resolve this, but if the sensor itself does not register the new voltage levels this is extremely likely.
You need to remove the batteries, and wait at least 30 seconds before putting the new ones back in to detector. if you do not do this, the trouble will not clear panel.It even states this inside the detector housing (see ‘warning’ label).
That did the trick! Thanks for the excellent advice. Maybe reading the warnings isn’t a bad idea. Thanks again!