Strange Wireless Behaviour

[Mike]

This one seems a little odd: I have an Elk M1 Gold, in addition to wired sensors I am using a GE-Caddx receiver.

For one door I am using one of these wireless sensors (NX-458):
GE NX-458 @ AO

What I had seen was that it would occasionally trip, when there was no change to the door. I have rules that chime the keypads when doors open which was the first indication. I have also been in front of the door/keypad when it happened and there is no activity and the door is not partially closed, etc.

The Elk is reporting the zone open when this occurs (it is not that my rule chimes alone).

I installed these roughly 4-5 years ago. Their battery life is rated at 15 years and if the battery was going I would get an alert regarding that right?

I am assuming that I may just have a bad sensor, but is there anything else I should try/check before replacing it?

 

[Traditore]

From my own personal experience, I know that the battery life can decrease drastically if your sensor is subject to cold weather (for example, an outside door). If your battery is low, the sensor will report this condition to the panel every X number of hours (I think the number varies for each type of sensor and/or panel).

Of course, you should try swapping the battery or the sensor to see if the behavior reoccurs. Perhaps you have other batteries/sensors like this in your house.

 

[Mike]

From my own personal experience, I know that the battery life can decrease drastically if your sensor is subject to cold weather (for example, an outside door). If your battery is low, the sensor will report this condition to the panel every X number of hours (I think the number varies for each type of sensor and/or panel).

Of course, you should try swapping the battery or the sensor to see if the behavior reoccurs. Perhaps you have other batteries/sensors like this in your house.

Thanks. I am going to try a new sensor. What surprised me is that I got no indication of a low battery. That is really what made me question if it might be something else.

 

[Mike]

From my own personal experience, I know that the battery life can decrease drastically if your sensor is subject to cold weather (for example, an outside door). If your battery is low, the sensor will report this condition to the panel every X number of hours (I think the number varies for each type of sensor and/or panel).

Of course, you should try swapping the battery or the sensor to see if the behavior reoccurs. Perhaps you have other batteries/sensors like this in your house.

Thanks. I am going to try a new sensor. What surprised me is that I got no indication of a low battery. That is really what made me question if it might be something else.

For reference, I realized I never posted the final: I had no additional issues once I replaced the sensor, so I chalked it up to that.

 

[Neurorad]

It could have been the battery still, unless you re-used the old battery. Correct? B)

 

[Mike]

Interesting idea, and yes those batteries are supposed to be good for 10-15 years if I recall. I replaced the whole unit though (battery and sensor) so I can't prove your theory. If I ever have a similar situation again I'll keep that in mind.