Just replaced the batteries in 6 of the chirpy little bastages. Maybe you need to check yours as well. I usually do it once a year and we put the date of the batteries on a little sticky on the battery to show how old it is. I take the shop-vac and try to suck all the dust and little buggies out when I have them down too. Cheep-off

Twice a year...whenever the time changes.

quote:

Originally posted by 610:
Twice a year...whenever the time changes.

This. I also change all of my important light/sight batteries that day.

Time change = Battery change....everything from
Smoke detectors to alarm clocks!

Lithium batteries for back up in a hard wired system. Good for ten years.

quote:

Originally posted by 610:
whenever the time changes.

The time changes?
 

Remember, the smoke detector itself has a relatively short life span - 7 or 8 years. Even newer ones that are hard wired. I found that out the hard way when one went bad. It went off and wouldn't stop until I removed all 7 of them throughout the house.

Mine started that shit yesterday.

Thought it was Para's little bird, and expected it to start into a rendition of; "BORN FREEEEEEE!!!!!!"

Batteries on the shopping list for tomorrow.

 
I lowered all of mine so they can be disabled without searching for a ladder.
 

quote:

Originally posted by ranger312:
Remember, the smoke detector itself has a relatively short life span - 7 or 8 years. Even newer ones that are hard wired. I found that out the hard way when one went bad. It went off and wouldn't stop until I removed all 7 of them throughout the house.

I just replaced all of our smoke detectors in our house. They were 15 years old and outside of their expected life.

I like the ones with the 10 year built-in battery. When the battery goes, it's time to change the entire unit.

Same here.
Just replaced all nine of mine. They're a little pricey, but over 10 years I guess it averages out to cheap insurance.

^^^ Did/are you guys using Kidde i12010SCO?

For all the semi annual battery changers, why so often? Are you guys using battery only models? If so please look into hardwired interconnected system, if that's to expensive or difficult. Look at these. They are still battery powered, but talk to each other. So if you have a fire in basement bedroom with the door shut, you bedroom alarm goes off immediately instead of waiting till smoke reaches your bedroom or hall detectors. These can also be used in conjunction with hard wired systems that don't cover bedrooms to expand coverage to those rooms by using These.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
^^^ Did/are you guys using Kidde i12010SCO?

I haven't installed any combination detectors. I've been using the AC plug in type CO detectors. Our code requires one CO detector per floor. Going to all combination detectors adds considerable cost, being so many per floor. Also, doesn't CO2 settle towards the floor, not on the ceiling? I always thought so, and that is another reason I've liked the wall plug units.

Do you think I should go nuts with the combo units?

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
^^^ Did/are you guys using Kidde i12010SCO?

I haven't installed any combination detectors. I've been using the AC plug in type CO detectors. Our code requires one CO detector per floor. Going to all combination detectors adds considerable cost, being so many per floor. Also, doesn't CO2 settle towards the floor, not on the ceiling? I always thought so, and that is another reason I've liked the wall plug units.

Do you think I should go nuts with the combo units?

No I don't. Only if MBR has a fireplace in it. There are no sources of CO in most bedrooms.

Around this way it's either a combo or two separate hardwired units for the detectors located outside of area where bedrooms are. So we usually end up with two combos per house, one in the basement, and one in upstairs. Most people don't have bedrooms on middle floor unless they have a second master BR for parents. I don't think they allow for plug in units here for new construction, possibly because they are easily unplugged maybe.

When we do panel changes in MD, they make us add battery powered ones that go on ceiling or walls, which is a strange little twist. If they already have hardwired, then we swap the SD for a combo in upper hall and basement (if bedroom is present). Not sure how a new electrical panel is related to CO.

I only change the batteries once a year, DST. I only use Duracell batteries, so the saying in my house is "spring for new batteries".

Has anybody had one chirp at 3pm? Mine have a secret opto sensor that prevents them from chirping in daylight conditions. They also have audio sensors that are programed to sense when all the occupants of the house have entered the deepest moment of sleep based on sleep sounds gathered over a six month period.

Mine ONLY start to chirp at 3:00AM. Every god dammed time!

I had blackened salmon for dinner last evening and forgot to turn on the hood vent. Both my detectors worked quite well.