It's a conspiracy I tells ya!

[PC]

So, last night just before we went to bed one of the smoke detectors goes off.

It was just a short (but loud) beep, not a constant alarm. And there was nothing smokey, steamy or otherwise clouding up the place. They usually do this when the battery gets low but I changed the battery recently so that didn't seem likely.

I grab a ladder, pull the thing down and check the battery (9V, tongue test). It had plenty of juice. So I put it back. Continued silence.

We went to bed.

Some time after midnight the stupid thing goes off again. I didn't take any chances this time. I pulled it down, yanked the battery and stuffed the dang thing in a drawer. I guess it's just broken.


Fast forward to the morning.....

After the morning chores and breakfast I fire up the computer to check my email, see what's up on BCF, etc.

As I'm checking my email there's a sidebar add from Amazon for.....
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SMOKE DETECTORS!

 

[Basil]

I'm not paranoid - but those people watching me think I am!

 

[LarryK]

What is date on detector? If 10 yrs. old, it will beep until you replace with a new one. Sometimes with or without battery, depends on brand.

 

[DrEntropy]

So the sensors degrade?

 

[Brooklands]

I put in all new smoke detectors in 2002. Does that mean I need to replace them all, or does it depend on the brand? The test button still works, and most of them are also hard wired.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Yes. And as an electrical contractor I made a lot of money doing it! https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/04/when-to-replace-an-older-smoke-alarm/index.htm

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Mine work fine....all new after the HOUSE FIRE 29 1/2 years ago.

 

[LarryK]

Detector back says 10 yrs. Mine still work too, but just tossed and put in new. Can't run as fast as I used to, need a head start.

 

[SD Bugeye]

They should be change periodically.
one thing Thats annoying is the high pitch is so non directional that if you have more than one you get up two may be three times at night to climb a ladder!

 

[JPSmit]

and, just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you!

 

[aeronca65t]

Most of mine are sealed and have "10 year batteries" . When voltage drops, they start to "tweet" and you replace the entire unit with new ones.

We also have a lake house that has similar units, but it also has one old, hard-wired (110v) unit that still works. It's at least 30 years old (I built the place). I test it every Spring with an actual match and so far, it still buzzes. Since the lake house also has the modern units, but I can't see any reason to remove the old one (yet).