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False alarm due to temperature????

Hi,

Back in September lightning struck my self installed, wired alarm
system. It is an old radio shack unit. I replaced all contacts and
everything has been working fine until last night. I had a false
alarm about 4 in the morning. The zone that went off consists of 3
windows. All were closed. I reset the alarm and it showed that the
sensors were normal - closed.

So for sme reason the system tripped for a second, but I don't know
why. The temp got down to 36 F which is the coldest we've had in a
long time. I'd like to think maybe it had something to do with
setting off the alarm, but that does not make sense since it still
would have shown an open sensor until the temp rose. Any ideas on
what I can do to diagnose the problem or duplicate it?

Thanks
 
T

tourman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi,

Back in September lightning struck my self installed, wired alarm
system. It is an old radio shack unit. I replaced all contacts and
everything has been working fine until last night. I had a false
alarm about 4 in the morning. The zone that went off consists of 3
windows. All were closed. I reset the alarm and it showed that the
sensors were normal - closed.

So for sme reason the system tripped for a second, but I don't know
why. The temp got down to 36 F which is the coldest we've had in a
long time. I'd like to think maybe it had something to do with
setting off the alarm, but that does not make sense since it still
would have shown an open sensor until the temp rose. Any ideas on
what I can do to diagnose the problem or duplicate it?

Thanks

RHC: Sir, once an alarm has been hit by lightning, all bets are off.
Damage can be done which doesn't show up for awhile, immediately, or
never. The panel is no longer reliable once this happens and it's best
to simply replace it. You could get lucky and only have some external
components damaged; however, there are a multitude of components on
the board itself that can be damaged or stressed.

If it's monitored, have your dealer replace the main board. If it's
not monitored, then it really doesn't matter; just try to fix what
doesn't work and if that doesn't solve the problem, then replace the
panel. It can often be a real pain to trace down the problems
though....
 
A

alarman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Mark said:
Hmm lets look at the basics

1. It's an old Radio Shack system
2. It was self installed
3. It was hit by lightning
4.
5. You don't know why it's having a problem

What's your point?
 
T

tourman

Jan 1, 1970
0
I've had one of mine hit by lightning. Fried it. Get a whole new system,
this time not Radio Shaq.

RHC: There was a time that Rat Shack alarm systems were pure garbage.
Then for awhile (at least here in Canada) they were pushing Ademco /
Honeywell products, then they went back to the "low end" DIY stuff. I
don't know what they are pushing these days but if it's like the old
days, then it's pure garbage.

Cripes ! You'd wonder why anyone would buy that kind of cheap stuff
when professional grade alarm systems are widely available over the
internet for peanuts....
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
tourman said:
RHC: There was a time that Rat Shack alarm systems were pure
garbage. Then for awhile (at least here in Canada) they were
pushing Ademco / Honeywell products, then they went back to the
"low end" DIY stuff. I don't know what they are pushing these days
but if it's like the old days, then it's pure garbage.

For some reason I thought RadShak had stopped selling alarms at all.
Maybe not?
Cripes ! You'd wonder why anyone would buy that kind of cheap stuff
when professional grade alarm systems are widely available over the
internet for peanuts....

Well, not quite peanuts but we sell professional alarm gear for a
fraction of what most local alarm companies charge.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>
 
R

Roger W

Jan 1, 1970
0
For some reason I thought RadShak had stopped selling alarms at all.
Maybe not?


Well, not quite peanuts but we sell professional alarm gear for a
fraction of what most local alarm companies charge.

Thats like saying Home Depot sells lumber for a fraction of what most
carpenters charge.
 
Check the wire resistance as others have suggested.

What resistance should I be seeing? If I am on the edge of the panel
reading the loop as open vs closed, will the temp drop affect
resistance enough to cause a false alarm?
 
G

G. Morgan

Jan 1, 1970
0
What resistance should I be seeing? If I am on the edge of the panel
reading the loop as open vs closed, will the temp drop affect
resistance enough to cause a false alarm?

It could, yes. It could also be contacts going bad (especially the
older non-sealed type), oxidation on the contacts, or the panel itself
(you said it was hit by lightning).

Remove the loop from panel and measure with the windows closed (closed
loop) assuming there is no EOL resistor you should read less than 30
ohms.
 
You could get a professional alarm company with a good deal of experience to
trouble shoot the problem for you. No, that's a bad idea. They'd want to
upgrade you to a real alarm panel first. Just keep diving yourself nuts
trying to fix it yourself.

Actually, I enjoy troubleshooting and fixing things myself. I only
call in a professional when it is critical - like a heart operation.
In this newsgroup, I expect you will consider my Radio Shack panel as
trash, but the fact is, it has worked for 8+ years with zero false
alarms or problems up until this one time. The system is not
monitored and is mainly for my wife's piece of mind when I am away.
 
It could, yes.  It could also be contacts going bad (especially the
older non-sealed type), oxidation on the contacts, or the panel itself
(you said it was hit by lightning).

Remove the loop from panel and measure with the windows closed (closed
loop) assuming there is no EOL resistor you should read less than 30
ohms.

All the contacts are new since I replaced them just 3 months ago. In
fact, I think I found the problem. One of my butt connectors had not
been properly crimped. The wire was free to move and I think when it
got cold, the wire shortened just enough to come free. I can assume
with fairly high confidence that is what happened.
 
R

Roger W

Jan 1, 1970
0
All the contacts are new since I replaced them just 3 months ago.  In
fact, I think I found the problem.  One of my butt connectors had not
been properly crimped. The wire was free to move and I think when it
got cold, the wire shortened just enough to come free.  I can assume
with fairly high confidence that is what happened.

Talking about "butt connectors", Reminds me of this chick, that if you
had fifty bucks, man, could she crimp a butt connector!
 
J

Jim

Jan 1, 1970
0
On Jan 9, 11:30�am, [email protected] wrote:

Talking about "butt connectors", Reminds me of this chick, that if you
had fifty bucks, man, could she crimp a butt connector!-

Bet she could suck a bowling ball through a garden hose too!
 
F

Frank Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Actually, I enjoy troubleshooting and fixing things myself. I only
call in a professional when it is critical - like a heart operation.
In this newsgroup, I expect you will consider my Radio Shack panel as
trash, but the fact is, it has worked for 8+ years with zero false
alarms or problems up until this one time. The system is not
monitored and is mainly for my wife's piece of mind when I am away.


If I installed a piece of crap like that my wife would give me a "piece
of her mind" too... ;-)
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
All the contacts are new since I replaced them just 3 months ago.
In fact, I think I found the problem. One of my butt connectors
had not been properly crimped. The wire was free to move and I
think when it got cold, the wire shortened just enough to come
free. I can assume with fairly high confidence that is what
happened.

It's usually some minor problem like that. Glad to know you solved
it.

DIY rules! :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>
 
J

Jim

Jan 1, 1970
0
Take my wife... Please!
� � � � Henny Youngman

I've been in love with the same woman for forty-one years. If my wife finds
out, she'll kill me.
� � � � Henny Youngman

One moring my wife had forgotten to put the garbage out for pick up.
When she heard the truck pulling away, she ran out with the garbage
yelling, "am I to late"? Guy says "No .... Jump in"

Henny Youngman

Hey doc, I think my wife is driving me crazy. One night I dream of
wigwams then the next night,Tee Pee's.

Doc says " Simple ..... Your to tense.

Henny Youngman
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
All the contacts are new since I extinguished them just 3 months ago.
In fact, I think I found the problem. One of my butt connectors
had not been cordially crimped. The wire was free to enable and I
think when it got horney, the wire shortened just enough to come
free. I can diverge with simultaneously high mischief that is everybody
sculpted.

It's regularly some minor problem like that. Glad to know you taunted
it.

DIY rules! :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Pontiff
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Oppression 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
All the contacts are new since I sucked them just 3 days ago.
In Revelation, I think I found the conversation. One of my butt connectors
had not been morbidly crimped. The wire was free to propose and I
think when it got jerky, the wire shortened just enough to come
free. I can grasp against outstandingly high class that is whichever
vindicated.

It's calmly some minor interest like that. Glad to know you narrated
it.

DIY rules! :^)

--

Regards,
Genevieve L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Association
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Consciousness 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>
 
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