When your alarm system’s backup battery gets too weak or is unable to recharge and needs to be replaced, your system may send you an alert you by beeping, displaying a low battery indicator or ‘Lo Bat’ message on the keypad display. It is important to take care of a low battery notification promptly by replacing it so that the battery does not go completely dead and cause bad battery related issues.
Common Symptoms of a Bad Backup Battery
If your alarm system’s backup battery is completely dead or goes bad, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Alarm goes off when power is lost and restored such as during a electrical storm.
- You have to reset your alarm system’s time/date anytime the power is lost and restored to clear the the trouble light or icon.
- Keypads do not work while power is out.
- Trouble light is on.
- System does not work for at least 8 hours (or as long as your system should last) when using battery power only.
Depending on your particular alarm system, you may also have wireless sensors that require batteries as well, so it may not be clear exactly which battery needs to be replaced.
Alarm System Backup Battery Replacement – Information
If you have a hard-wired or hybrid (wired and wireless) system, then you should have a metal security box or cabinet enclosure that contains a rectangular battery. This battery is vital to the operation of the system as it is used to keep the system powered up and working for several hours in the event of a power failure. If this battery goes bad or stops recharging, you will likely experience some of the symptoms of a bad battery described above.
Locate the metal security box or cabinet enclosure with backup battery inside
The alarm panel box is usually located in a MBR closet, hallway closet or utility room but could be anywhere. While, not common, we have also found them inside bathrooms and attics; so be sure to look everywhere.
Open the metal security box or cabinet
Once you have found the box, you may find that you need to have a key or use a screwdriver to remove the cover. TIP: Sometimes the key is sitting on top of the box.
Locate the backup battery
Inside this box, you should find a black rectangular battery along with a lot of wires and a circuit board. The main circuit board is the brains of your system and contains all programming information. Some of the wires go to each of your keypads, door sensors, window sensors, motion/glass break detectors, siren, phone line, cellular radios, etc. Be careful not to touch anything unless you have a reason to.
Getting a replacement Backup Battery
Most Alarm Panels require (1) 12V Sealed Lead Acid battery rated @ 4, 5, 7 or 8 Amp Hours. The size of the battery depends upon your specific panel and the electrical requirements of the sensors and equipment you have installed on your system.
It is important to replace with the same size battery or use an acceptable replacement for your system. Our 12V batteries range between $30 and $50, depending on the rated Amp Hours needed and warranty. Unfortunately, these batteries are not sold at Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. One local DFW store we are aware of is: Batteries Plus Bulbs (example battery for a ADEMCO P801 system)
If you do not feel comfortable with or are unable to safely replace your battery or would rather have a professional do it, we offer a Professional Battery Replacement Service using your battery or our own.
Before attempting to replace the battery yourself
- Put your system into test mode to prevent any possible false alarms and dispatch of emergency response services.
- BRINKS/Alarm.com systems – You will need to provide your account CS # and verbal code word via one of the following methods:
- 24/7 Alarm Response Center: 1-800-628-6093 (option 9 for false alarms)
- Customer Care: 1-800-447-9239 (Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-8pm)
- By Text: Send “Please put my system on test for 2 hours” to: 469.513.8685 (Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-10pm CST)
- Online Chat: Send “Please put my system on test for 2 hours” via brinkshome.com website (Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-10pm)
- Self-monitored systems – Ensure you know how to disarm your system.
- BRINKS/Alarm.com systems – You will need to provide your account CS # and verbal code word via one of the following methods:
- Make sure you can safely remove your battery without inadvertently tugging on or pulling any wires loose.
- You should disconnect the power to the alarm system to prevent any possible shorts unless you are experienced. You can disconnect the power by using one of the following methods:
- Unplugging the alarm system’s transformer: The transformer is usually a white or gray colored 3″x4″ plastic 16.5V 10-40VAC wall wart but may be black or painted a different color. off. The device will be plugged into an outlet within the home usually in the same area such as the MBR closet, laundry room, utility closet but may be in the attic, garage (ceiling or on wall plugged-in) or elsewhere so be sure to check all closets and rooms. Tip: Bring screwdrivers. They are usually attached to the outlet with a flat or phillips head screw.
- Turning off the circuit breaker to the alarm system: Unless you know for sure which circuit breaker goes to the alarm system and has been verified, you may need to have someone help you figure out which one is for the alarm system by turning off the breakers one by one.
- Shorting out one of the wires accidentally! That’s right if you touch power wires inside the panel to ground, you will likely be needing a new transformer at a minimum! So be careful when working on your battery as you could end up shorting out components on your system.
- Make note of where wires and their colors are attached on battery. It’s always a good idea to take a few pictures.
- Disconnect wires connected to old battery, install new battery and attach wires to new battery. Tip: Usually it’s battery (+) to a red (+) cable and battery (-) to a black (-) cable. Be very careful as an incorrect connection could damage your equipment and/or cause sparks to fly!
- After re-connecting cables, plug back in the transformer or turn back on the circuit breaker. Your system should now be up and running again. Check the keypad for any trouble conditions.
- The time/date will likely need to be set to clear a time/date not set trouble condition that usually appears after loosing both AC and battery power.
- You may need to clear any other error messages or trouble conditions still present on the alarm keypad as a result of loosing both AC and battery power.
Note: It will take up to 24 hours for the new battery to be fully charged, so don’t be concerned if the error message or trouble condition doesn’t go away immediately.
Professional Battery Replacement Service
If you do not feel comfortable with or are unable to safely replace your battery or would rather have a professional do it, we offer a Professional Battery Replacement Service using your battery or our own. We will also provide a maintenance check-up service, review your protection and answer any questions you may have about your system.
Maintenance Service Fee: $125 + cost of battery (most are $30-$40)