Intruder Alarm Siren Battery replacement ?

macabethiel · 28-11-2016, 23:59

I need a new battery for my External Alarm Siren but short of climbing a ladder and removing the front of the box wondered if there is an easy way of getting the right part first. The unit is about 20 years old.

I have the original paperwork for all the alarm components but the battery details do not appear to be included anywhere.

The Siren is shown in the paperwork as Manufactured by Volumatic Ltd of Oldham and is a Flash Guard Product Model XL Plus or 100T. Have done basic online searches and come up with nothing as yet about the battery.

Any Alarm Engineers among us ??

jims-terrano · 29-11-2016, 00:05

Think they call them SAB these days, to be honest at that age I'd be tempted to replace the whole bell box. Nice and clean modern looking looks like it really does mean business. An old faded box looks like it's old thing that probably doesn't work. That's what crime prevention advice I've heard from the rozzers

It does make sense I suppose but to be honest as long as your control panel has a good battery I wouldn't worry too much.

solarman216 · 29-11-2016, 00:32

It will almost certainly be a 12v nicad, but to be honest a box of that age needs replacing, only about £35.00 from a local electrical factors or even better Screwfix, battery will cost around £12 plus you have to solder it in and mount it, realy not worth the hassel, Rick

rustic · 29-11-2016, 05:47

The battery is used really as an anti tamper system, the bell box requires a constant 12 volt feed, which comes from the main alarm panel, if this feed is lost, then the outside alarm will sound until that battery is exhausted.
A loss of 12 volt feed could happen if a thief cuts the cable to the alarm, or smashes the main controller off the wall ripping out all the wires.
If someone tries to open the alarm box, then an anti tamper switch will trigger the alarm, bit of a waste of time in reality, as if you quickly undo the alarm box access screw, in 5 seconds after the alarm sounds, you can rip out the alarm wires anyway. Who actually responds to an alarm going off for 5-20 seconds, in fact who bothers to respond to any alarm anyway?
We have a neighbour at the back of us, we went to look several times after false alarms, we left a note each time, not once did they say thank you, so now when we hear an alarm, if it's that one, then we ignore it.

If you have cheaper insurance because you have declared that you have an alarm, then you must be on a maintenance programme, and the outside alarm box must be fully functional. Imagine forgetting to set the alarm, and you were broken into, would the insurance now pay out? You don't save a great deal on the insurance if you declare you have an alarm, but a maintenance programme will cost you much much more.
The alarm box is the main deterrent, and as said, if it looks tatty then burglars might assume it doesn't work anyway.
So a new box maybe 4 to 6 wires, most are wired the same anyway, and also colour coded the same.

I vote new replacement modern box rather than a replacement Nicad.
I think Maplin, or cpc-Farnell might do them, there are many on eBay too.
Inspect the wiring in the box and compare it to standard wiring diagrams.
Rustic

macabethiel · 29-11-2016, 07:33

Thanks for all the advice I am going to get the whole Siren replaced as advised by various members.

My days of nipping up ladders now operates under strict height limits and the Wife is none too keen to hold the bottom of the ladder for me on my double extender. Last job I did at height was the Fascia Boards about 4 years ago.

I will see if I can get the firm who fitted the original system to give me a quote. The firm still exists !

P.S. I don't disclose having an alarm system fitted due to restrictions imposed by the insurers.

rustic · 29-11-2016, 10:26

When was the last time the main battery was changed? If it's 5 years or more, then it should be replaced. cheap enough from Screwfix or Toolstation.

If you have a power cut, then the battery might not have enough capacity left to send 12 volts to the siren box to "hold off" the siren going off with it's own Nicad supply, this maybe one of the reasons when you get a power cut,there are so many alarms going off lol.

Rustic

macabethiel · 29-11-2016, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustic

When was the last time the main battery was changed? If it's 5 years or more, then it should be replaced. cheap enough from Screwfix or Toolstation.

If you have a power cut, then the battery might not have enough capacity left to send 12 volts to the siren box to "hold off" the siren going off with it's own Nicad supply, this maybe one of the reasons when you get a power cut,there are so many alarms going off lol.

Rustic

Hi Rustic, Did the main battery a few days ago.

rustic · 29-11-2016, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by macabethiel

Hi Rustic, Did the main battery a few days ago.

Monaro Pete · 29-11-2016, 19:57

Forget the alarm & get your self a boxer shorts wearing Rottweiler

emjaybee · 29-11-2016, 20:44

There is something seriously wrong with you bloke.

elty001 · 29-11-2016, 21:44

Or being as it's coming up to Xmas how about a festive Dalmatian pup.

rustic · 29-11-2016, 22:59

Looks like I joined a forum of idiots....

No wonder I fit in so well lol

solarman216 · 29-11-2016, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustic

Looks like I joined a forum of idiots....

No wonder I fit in so well lol

Some just love their pets too much, but cannot knock it, love is better than ? Rick

emjaybee · 30-11-2016, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustic

Looks like I joined a forum of idiots....

No wonder I fit in so well lol

I can't believe it took you so long to figure that out.

I had that sussed in a matter of hours...

...but then it takes one to know one!

macabethiel · 30-11-2016, 03:26

We moved into our house in 1984 and had our first German Shepherd "Snoopy" within months of moving in. All our nearby neighbours were burgled more than once over the next ten years. Snoopy had to be put down in 1994 when he lost the use of his rear legs and within a month we were burgled whilst I was on night shift by a local drug addict.

Burglar Alarm fitted within weeks of Burglary as we could not face replacing Snoopy until we had been in mourning for almost a year. George our last big dog featured here previously took over Alarm duties from 1995-2011.

We now rely on our Chihuhua's hence the need to fix the alarm. lol

28-11-2016, 23:59	#1
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Intruder Alarm Siren Battery replacement ? I need a new battery for my External Alarm Siren but short of climbing a ladder and removing the front of the box wondered if there is an easy way of getting the right part first. The unit is about 20 years old. I have the original paperwork for all the alarm components but the battery details do not appear to be included anywhere. The Siren is shown in the paperwork as Manufactured by Volumatic Ltd of Oldham and is a Flash Guard Product Model XL Plus or 100T. Have done basic online searches and come up with nothing as yet about the battery. Any Alarm Engineers among us ??

29-11-2016, 00:32	#3
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	It will almost certainly be a 12v nicad, but to be honest a box of that age needs replacing, only about £35.00 from a local electrical factors or even better Screwfix, battery will cost around £12 plus you have to solder it in and mount it, realy not worth the hassel, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

29-11-2016, 05:47	#4
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	The battery is used really as an anti tamper system, the bell box requires a constant 12 volt feed, which comes from the main alarm panel, if this feed is lost, then the outside alarm will sound until that battery is exhausted. A loss of 12 volt feed could happen if a thief cuts the cable to the alarm, or smashes the main controller off the wall ripping out all the wires. If someone tries to open the alarm box, then an anti tamper switch will trigger the alarm, bit of a waste of time in reality, as if you quickly undo the alarm box access screw, in 5 seconds after the alarm sounds, you can rip out the alarm wires anyway. Who actually responds to an alarm going off for 5-20 seconds, in fact who bothers to respond to any alarm anyway? We have a neighbour at the back of us, we went to look several times after false alarms, we left a note each time, not once did they say thank you, so now when we hear an alarm, if it's that one, then we ignore it. If you have cheaper insurance because you have declared that you have an alarm, then you must be on a maintenance programme, and the outside alarm box must be fully functional. Imagine forgetting to set the alarm, and you were broken into, would the insurance now pay out? You don't save a great deal on the insurance if you declare you have an alarm, but a maintenance programme will cost you much much more. The alarm box is the main deterrent, and as said, if it looks tatty then burglars might assume it doesn't work anyway. So a new box maybe 4 to 6 wires, most are wired the same anyway, and also colour coded the same. I vote new replacement modern box rather than a replacement Nicad. I think Maplin, or cpc-Farnell might do them, there are many on eBay too. Inspect the wiring in the box and compare it to standard wiring diagrams. Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

29-11-2016, 07:33	#5
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Thanks folks - I will get it replaced it makes sense ! Thanks for all the advice I am going to get the whole Siren replaced as advised by various members. My days of nipping up ladders now operates under strict height limits and the Wife is none too keen to hold the bottom of the ladder for me on my double extender. Last job I did at height was the Fascia Boards about 4 years ago. I will see if I can get the firm who fitted the original system to give me a quote. The firm still exists ! P.S. I don't disclose having an alarm system fitted due to restrictions imposed by the insurers.

29-11-2016, 10:26	#6
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	When was the last time the main battery was changed? If it's 5 years or more, then it should be replaced. cheap enough from Screwfix or Toolstation. If you have a power cut, then the battery might not have enough capacity left to send 12 volts to the siren box to "hold off" the siren going off with it's own Nicad supply, this maybe one of the reasons when you get a power cut,there are so many alarms going off lol. Rustic __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

29-11-2016, 00:05	#2
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Think they call them SAB these days, to be honest at that age I'd be tempted to replace the whole bell box. Nice and clean modern looking looks like it really does mean business. An old faded box looks like it's old thing that probably doesn't work. That's what crime prevention advice I've heard from the rozzers It does make sense I suppose but to be honest as long as your control panel has a good battery I wouldn't worry too much.

29-11-2016, 19:57	#9
Monaro Pete Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Nr J28 M1 Vehicle: 03 Terrano 2.7 TDi Posts: 995	Forget the alarm & get your self a boxer shorts wearing Rottweiler

29-11-2016, 20:44	#10
emjaybee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oxfordshire Vehicle: 3.0Di SVE '05 5 door. Posts: 1,536	There is something seriously wrong with you bloke.

29-11-2016, 22:59	#12
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	Looks like I joined a forum of idiots.... No wonder I fit in so well lol __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

30-11-2016, 03:26	#15
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Dog Alarms ! We moved into our house in 1984 and had our first German Shepherd "Snoopy" within months of moving in. All our nearby neighbours were burgled more than once over the next ten years. Snoopy had to be put down in 1994 when he lost the use of his rear legs and within a month we were burgled whilst I was on night shift by a local drug addict. Burglar Alarm fitted within weeks of Burglary as we could not face replacing Snoopy until we had been in mourning for almost a year. George our last big dog featured here previously took over Alarm duties from 1995-2011. We now rely on our Chihuhua's hence the need to fix the alarm. lol