M1G Battery level of wireless PIR

[mike31360]

After 2 months I finally got my first false alarm from my M1G. As expected, it's from a wireless PIR that is installed in my shed, about 50 feet from the Receiver. Haven't been able to determine what caused the false alarm but it got me thinking... I've read that the system will provide a notice of the battery level of wireless devices but I haven't been able to find much detail as to how, when and if it can be read out manually. I have not performed the walk test to determine my signal strength but will do that soon. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Mike

 

[ano]

After 2 months I finally got my first false alarm from my M1G. As expected, it's from a wireless PIR that is installed in my shed, about 50 feet from the Receiver. Haven't been able to determine what caused the false alarm but it got me thinking... I've read that the system will provide a notice of the battery level of wireless devices but I haven't been able to find much detail as to how, when and if it can be read out manually. I have not performed the walk test to determine my signal strength but will do that soon. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Mike

I don't have an M1G, but the HAI panel indicates a low battery of a wireless sensor with a Trouble indication on that zone. It doesn't trip the alarm, but when it recently happened to me for a smoke alarm, while I was changing the battery the alarm DID trip, so I would recommend you bypass that zone when changing the battery if the sensor is armed. A weak wireless signal also should not trip the alarm.

As it sounds like you have already learned, an outdoor shed is probably not a good location for an indoor motion detector connected to a monitored alarm. You might want to reread the motion detector guide on selecting a good location for a motion sensor. An outdoor shed would probably not be one.

 

[mike31360]

Ano,

Thank you for your reply. I've found a reference to a report of a "system warning" but no specifics. I was trying to determine a way of forcing the system to provide me with the last stored battery value, if it indeed even works as I'm suggesting.

Regarding my use of a motion sensor in a shed....I used the word "shed" since it's an outbuilding which is primarily used to house lawn and garden equipment. It's a 12 x 16 structure, extremely dry and I've set the sensitivity back to minimum to account for the short distance. I've read the information which came with this Motion Sensor and with the exception of violating the minimum temperature (on rare occasions during the winter), I'm not sure what makes the sensor a bad choice for this location. In addition to the motion, I also have a contact switch on the Overhead Door and windows. The Motion Sensor was sort of "backup".

Mike

 

[ano]

Ano,

Thank you for your reply. I've found a reference to a report of a "system warning" but no specifics. I was trying to determine a way of forcing the system to provide me with the last stored battery value, if it indeed even works as I'm suggesting.

Mike

The ELK won't know the level of the sensor batteries, only that its too low. The sensor itself determines if the battery is too low.

The only way to test it is put old batteries in the sensor and see if it triggers. You need lithium batteries run down to about 2.4 volts or less (as opposed to 3v normal)