Power 832 "Low Battery" Error

I assume you've checked with DSC tech support for known bugs ?

The only thing that immediately comes to mind is very low or very high voltage coming in. Did you check the AC voltage to make sure it's not running much over 130 volts as a maximum and 100 volts as a minimum? Also check the AC voltage in to the panel...shouldn't be more than 18 volts give or take a couple at the AC connection points on the panel (maybe a bad transformer). Also check to make sure the AC supply is not on a switched outlet, which could seriously run down the battery if the AC was intermittent.

Seems reasonable to assume it's not the boards or the batteries, so much be some external factor...the above would be my guess....

Good luck ! These kinds of problems can drive you crazy....:(((

R.H.Campbell Home Security Metal Products Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?

Sorry I double posted.. I wanted to add onto the old one and you replied before I could remove this post... the AC looked fine. right close to 120. I believe the AC volts on the board read 17 something which should also be ok. I'll look again. Not on a switched outlet :) I checked that first. This is a huge mess becuase they had some other guy help them with it before I was around and he didn't know anything about alarm install. I think they may be drawing too much power from the system with all of thier extra modules.

Your system is probably overloading due to excessive powered devices. Count how many powered devices you have, and get back with us.

Jim Rojas

Try the transformer. I have had a few panels that showed as working ok, PS was showing the right voltage. But the amperage the PS was giving was n't enough. not often they go bad but it does happen.

The system has one key pad, a dial in module, an autodialer, a printer module, and 3 motion detectors. The motion detectors and the autodialer are the devices hooked into the aux power from the board. The dial in and printer modules are hooked to the bus. Think this stuff might be drawing too much power for the board to handle ?

The auto dialer alone is probably hogging all the juice from the system. It has to be powered by a stand-by source independent from the panel. There is a supervised power supply module available from DSC. You'll need another transformer and battery. Read the specs on all your equipment before connecting it. Pay particular attention to the current requirements!

You need a large amp battery - probably at least 30 amp hr - when you changed the battery it was probably okay for a while until the battery discharged and the power supply can't make up the drain so you likely need an additional power supply and the large battery for all the addons.

This isn't a system I set up. I am just trying to help them solve the problems with the system. They had one of the ministers who use to be there set the system up. I have only worked on it a few times to try and help them out. They don't have any of the manuals for their stuff. I will disconnect the autodialer and see if that fixes the problem. They do have an extra battery, so installing the second power source wouldn't be bad. Thanks for the advice :)

READ THE TECHNICAL BULLETINS There may be an answer...

Here it is:

Date: February 24, 2003 Number: NA TAB 03-001 To: Distribution Americas Subject: PC5132-433 V4.20 (MASTER) WIRELESS KEY LOW BATTERY ISSUE This is to inform you of an issue regarding the PC5132-433 v4.2 wireless receiver. Over time, the PowerSeries control panel will display an incorrect wireless key low battery trouble. The issue is caused by leaving unused wireless keys programmed with serial number [000000]. Please note that if the issue occurs, panel operation will not be affected in any way. One of the options listed below should be performed to prevent the issue from occurring. If the panel is already displaying an incorrect wireless key low battery, the only way to remedy this is to change the control panel as well as performing one of the following:

1. The PC5132-433 wireless receiver v4.20 can be programmed to prevent the issue from occurring. Program serial number [100000] for all unused wireless keys. This can be done locally via a system keypad or remotely with the DLS2002 software. A special DLS2002 utility is available on the DSC website which will assist with the programming change.
2. Upgrade the PC5132-433 wireless receiver software Upgrade the PC5132-433 wireless receiver v4.20 (Master) to the new v4.22. The integrated circuit (or chip) is socketed and can be upgraded in the field. The PC5132-433 will not have to be reprogrammed. All wireless programming will remain unchanged. Please see the instructions included at the end of this document for information regarding obtaining the new software and upgrading the PC5132-433 wireless receiver. Please contact the DSC Customer Help Center at 888-888-7838 or snipped-for-privacy@dsc.com or contact DSC Technical Support at 800-387-3630 or snipped-for-privacy@dscltd.com if you have any questions. Harry Scholz DSC Product Application Specialist

THis system is not using wireless keys.

Jesus, Harry- READ the original post before you start blathering about wireless keys and such. The guy needs a power supply module.

I'm REALLY troubled that a DSC Tech Support guy posted this.....

I don't think that it was posted by a DSC tech support guy, the poster copied and pasted a old irrelevant tech bulletin from DSCs web site.

Doug L

Oh.... I are an idiot. LOL.

Heh, no doubt. If Harry Scholz was to contribute anything helpful to a DSC dealer, it would be the first time. This is a man who told me at ISC West 2004, that I was unreasonable to expect 10 years service from a panel. js

Neither do panels affected by that bulletin

Ok new situation... I removed all of the extra modules from the 832 system.. tried letting it charge overnight... rebooted. Low batt light still will not go off. Power is not switched. system did not lose power. I am at a loss here. Any ideas for how to trouble shoot this problem ? Thanks

Rebooted? You mean you removed AC and battery and when you reconnected, it came up with trouble lit and low bat was the culprit? You sure the battery is okay?

It takes a little bit for the low batt. to show up, but yeah it comes back up once the system does that check. This is the second battery. It is highly unlikely that both were bad.

Same batch on the shelf? What's the voltage across the battery leads (not connected)?