My home alarm started recently that annoying beep every 10 seconds. You can kind of pres "#" key and it will be silent for few hours that it would do it again. Especially annoying this is during the night or early morning.
Details
- Alarm security from DSC PowerSeries (board PC580)
- The battery type is UB1245, 12V, 4.5Ah, Sealed lead acid.
- The battery was around 5 year old.
The issue was finding the installation manual. The user manual would refer to the error as "Service Required", and refer to calling the security company that installed the system. I guess this is probably what is the best for most people. However, finding the Installation Manual online (thank you Google and friends), I read that once you display the error condition with keyboard command "*2" you can push more buttons to get more info on the problem. In my case:
- "*2" revealed orange flashing system LED, and red LED next to zone 1 was on.
- at this stage pressing "1" should give more info on the error. I pushed "1" again and the red LED next to zone 1 was still on meaning the battery is low.
- I Googled the UB1245 battery and replacement ara available from around $15 + around $12 for S&H.
- I went to local battery shop and got me 12V, 5Ah battery for around $30. Not the best price, but saved me wait and possible hassle if return was needed. NOTE: could not find this type of battery in Home Depot nor Lowe's.
- To stay on the safe side, I turned the power off. Was lazy to find which breaker powers the 16V trafo that powers the alarm. So I powered off the whole house.
- Battery replacing took less than a minute. Took off black wire, then red. Put new battery in. Connected red wire to "+" (labeled with red at the battery as well), and then put black wire to the "-".
- Switched the power back on and most of my issues with annoying sound were gone.
- I had another System error now (one with red LED next to zone 8). Red LED at #8 means that time/date info was lost due total power loss (AC + battery).
- Now, with user manual only, I reprogrammed the time/date and the error cleared.
- I had also to turn on the door chime beep to make everything back to "normal".
Probably saved around $50 or more for a service man to come out, diagnose the problem, and replace the battery. I do not recommend anyone not having a basic understanding what he or she is doing to do that alone. On the other hand if you are a dyi person and have similar issue. Try to locate the Installation Manual, confirm the error type and if you know what you doing to replace the battery yourself.
The reason I turned power off is to avoid arcing when connecting the battery. Installation manual also suggested that battery should be installed prior to applying AC power.
Disclaimer
I cannot by any means be responsible nor liable for any possible negative outcome of your attempt to fix your alarm by replacing the battery. My battery was 5 year old, and the alarm manual suggested replacement of the battery every 2-3 year. You are making your own calls. I just wanted to share my experience here.
5 comments:
Hello! I found your guide quite useful and have since replaced my battery. However, do you happen to know how to make my alarm resume sending its signal to the response center? I have not yet restored my time and date info, as the instruction manual with my DSC Classic PC 580 is very vague and apparently pertains to several different models. Perhaps this is why the response center does not know when I set off my alarm. Any ideas? Please help if you are able!
Thank you!
Okay, now we have set the date and time. We performed a test, which the alarm company received. And then, somehow, we performed a "silent duress." However, if we open the door to set off the alarm it does not go off...but when the alarm is not set it beeps as it should. Perhaps the alarm is on silent and the response company simply treats a silent alarm differently, regardless of if it was a manually keyed in silent alarm. Yes, the police were here.
Thanks a lot for sharing this. Just one more thing - where's the panel that holds the battery? Is it usually in the gargage?
Thanks for your post! It was a great help and exactly what I needed.
Thanks for all the info, it was really helpful for replacing the battery which I have now done. However nothing has happened, I was never hooked up to a response center, but liked the idea of hearing the beep when doors were opened. There are no lights on the panel. I have a D.S.C.PC5508Z
If anyone could help I would be greatful.
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