Tate Premier SX 8 zone fire panel

[polo1]

Hi all,
quick questions re the above. Firstly when checking the battery charging voltage, the reading switches between 2V & 28V approx every second - I'm guessing this ain't right, but any thoughts?
Second, what would cause one of the Zone lights (top row) to be permanently lit?
Thirdly, if the panel were to be replaced, what would be your first choice & why?
Thanks.

 

[freddo]

Dead battery is a likely cause of charging problem. I don't think a zone light should be lit without another indicator identifying why it is lit.
As for a replacement panel, avoid JSB/Cooper.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Why not just replace like for like?

 

[polo1]

Thanks F. Batteries were original....2005! So, yeah, the charging circuit is probably gubbed.
Lee, I understood this panel ( just badged Tate) was obsolete.
I don't cover fire systems, just changing the batteries as a favour. The landlord has been advised of the issues and the need for urgent repair/replacement. They asked for a recommendation re replacement panel.

 

[freddo]

A thought, I assume you measured the battery charging voltage with the batteries disconnected? If there was no batteries connected what you describe is normal.

 

[polo1]

A thought, I assume you measured the battery charging voltage with the batteries disconnected? If there was no batteries connected what you describe is normal.

Ah, there needs to be a load when measuring?
Normally check intruder alarm panel battery charging circuits with no load, without problem.

 

[freddo]

Certainly the newer Tate ones the voltage soon goes with the battery disconnected, It is explained in the installer manual. It mentions testing the voltage quickly after disconnecting the batteries, and re connecting and disconnecting the battery again if you were too slow.

 

[tazz]

Firstly you cannot check a SLA battery with a multimeter on voltage alone. You must use a current discharge meter with will give you a voltage and current capacity reading. CHROME IBT | ACT Meters - http://www.actmeters.co.uk/battery-testing/chrome-ibt
If the zone led is constant red, the a detector or call point are in fire condition, if led is yellow then there is a fault with detection or wiring. This must be resolved before looking at replacement. Kentec sigma, C-Tec CFP, Haes EN are all replacements, but will require the end of line units to be changed on each zone.

 

[freddo]

Damn, I paid more than that for my ACT Chrome.

 

[polo1]

Thanks Tazz. Just to be clear, I was referring to checking the charging voltage of/from the panel, not the state of the battery ( I actually have the Crome tester). It was the weird voltage readings on the battery charging output that wanted to better understand.
I thought the permanently lit Zone light must be indicating a problem, but the m/f sheets had no info.
As I indicated previously, I have no formal training in fire panels, so will be passing this back, but I do like to improve my understanding of all things Electrical/ electronic, hence the questions!
PS just found all the fault indications in the User manual, but a single Zone light on its own doesn't appear to be covered.

 

[tazz]

If the single zone led is red its and activation, call point still activated or glass broken.....Yellow led id fault, cabling, detector removed or faulty. To check panel operation put the eol back in the zone and see if panel resets.