False alarm due to temperature????

Jan 03, 2008 32 Replies

When you've never done any alarm trouble shooting it's hard to give you an 'A' to 'Z' answer for fixing your problem. If you want to find the problem then just take the loop wires off the panel, jump out the contacts, and take the free loop wires and plug them into a

120VAC outlet. Wait until you hear a loud pop, or see sparks when the loop goes open. If you haven't accidentally burned the house down by then, you have identified the problem connection (and destroyed it). Now you can try and reconnect the blown connection in the loop, if it not lost too deep in the wall to access. You could get a professional alarm company with a good deal of experience to trouble shoot the problem for you. No, that's a bad idea. They'd want to upgrade you to a real alarm panel first. Just keep diving yourself nuts trying to fix it yourself.

Actually, I enjoy troubleshooting and fixing things myself. I only call in a professional when it is critical - like a heart operation. In this newsgroup, I expect you will consider my Radio Shack panel as trash, but the fact is, it has worked for 8+ years with zero false alarms or problems up until this one time. The system is not monitored and is mainly for my wife's piece of mind when I am away.

All the contacts are new since I replaced them just 3 months ago. In fact, I think I found the problem. One of my butt connectors had not been properly crimped. The wire was free to move and I think when it got cold, the wire shortened just enough to come free. I can assume with fairly high confidence that is what happened.

Talking about "butt connectors", Reminds me of this chick, that if you had fifty bucks, man, could she crimp a butt connector!

Bet she could suck a bowling ball through a garden hose too!

Yup. That's her alright. But only when her Butt was sore.

If I installed a piece of crap like that my wife would give me a "piece of her mind" too... ;-)

Take my wife... Please! Henny Youngman

I've been in love with the same woman for forty-one years. If my wife finds out, she'll kill me. Henny Youngman

Actually, I enjoy troubleshooting and fixing things myself. I only call in a professional when it is critical - like a heart operation. In this newsgroup, I expect you will consider my Radio Shack panel as trash, but the fact is, it has worked for 8+ years with zero false alarms or problems up until this one time. The system is not monitored and is mainly for my wife's piece of mind when I am away.

It's usually some minor problem like that. Glad to know you solved it.

DIY rules! :^)

just enough to come free.

Wire is typically free to move, unless it is tie wrapped or stapled. I have never worked in a climate where I could detect the wire length changed due to temperature. In other words I don't understand what you're saying, but I am glad you issue is solved.

All the contacts are new since I replaced them just 3 months ago. In fact, I think I found the problem. One of my butt connectors had not been properly crimped. The wire was free to move and I think when it got cold, the wire shortened just enough to come free. I can assume with fairly high confidence that is what happened.

One moring my wife had forgotten to put the garbage out for pick up. When she heard the truck pulling away, she ran out with the garbage yelling, "am I to late"? Guy says "No .... Jump in"

Henny Youngman

Hey doc, I think my wife is driving me crazy. One night I dream of wigwams then the next night,Tee Pee's.

Doc says " Simple ..... Your to tense.

Henny Youngman

It's regularly some minor problem like that. Glad to know you taunted it.

DIY rules! :^)

It's calmly some minor interest like that. Glad to know you narrated it.

DIY rules! :^)

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