Green Building Forum - Sounder Battery Fri, 01 May 2026 15:14:54 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309483#Comment_309483 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309483#Comment_309483 Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:24:00 +0100 Rex
Want to replace the 6v 330mAh Ni-MH back-up battery. The one I have removed has the following markings - 280H5A1H

When I Google search for a similar, I have found 7.2v Hi-MH GP320BVA6 (https://www.buyabattery.co.uk/alarm-bell-box-battery-7-2v-7-2-volt-ni-mh-gp320bvh6a6.html) Apparently, this replaces 6N280BC

What does all this mean? Can I replace a 6v with a 7.2V? What does the code tell me?

Thanks and toodle pip]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309487#Comment_309487 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309487#Comment_309487 Sat, 11 Oct 2025 17:23:57 +0100 djh Posted By: RexCan I replace a 6v with a 7.2V?I don't know; that would depend on the exact design of your sounder. But why would you want to? There seem to be plenty of similar 6V batteries for sale. For example, https://www.buyabattery.co.uk/batteries-by-use/wireless-alarm-batteries/alarm-bell-box-batteries/alarm-bell-box-battery-6v-6-volt-ni-mh-gp320bvh5a6.html (you could ask them when it is coming back into stock or buy similar elsewhere)

What does the code tell me?
Again, I don't know exactly, but the 320 part seems to tell you the capacity in mAh. You don't need to match the capacity exactly, that will just affect how long it can run without external power. And your 280H5A1H code doesn't seem to exactly match a 330 mAh battery. So don't worry if the replacement is a bit bigger or a bit smaller.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309493#Comment_309493 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309493#Comment_309493 Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:52:45 +0100 Rex Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309497#Comment_309497 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309497#Comment_309497 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:38:21 +0100 Rex
https://www.buyabattery.co.uk/alarm-bell-box-battery-7-2v-7-2-volt-ni-mh-gp320bvh6a6.html

Just like searching for anything on the internet, many listing at the top of the pile until you click the link to find no longer available.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309498#Comment_309498 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309498#Comment_309498 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:33:02 +0100 WillInAberdeen
I'd be concerned that an appliance designed for 6V battery would have a battery charging circuit that charges up to 6V.

For a 7.2V battery that would be 1.0 V per cell which is pretty much "flat".

Is there any info about why they think 7.2V is a suitable replacement for 6V, how do they overcome this?

(Edit: are you sure the one you are replacing is 6V? Or is it 6 cells in series?)]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309518#Comment_309518 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309518#Comment_309518 Sat, 18 Oct 2025 14:17:31 +0100 Rex
I don't intend to fiddle with anything as the only things I have done is replace the respective batteries; no wiring has been altered whatsoever. Although the sounder battery is new, without mains power, presumably, it will not charge? But with mains, there is this beeping.

What is the next thing to look at?

Thanks]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309530#Comment_309530 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309530#Comment_309530 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:51:50 +0100 Rex
Fitted a new sounder battery (checked and is 6.3v) and followed the installation guide. When mains power is supplied to the panel, the mains light glows and the external sounder starts beeping. When the panel battery is connected, the sound makes a slightly different but still and alarm sound.

Can get the keypad into action with my user code but the sounder is still making this loud warning beep, beep, beep around two per second. It is not the normal alarm siren.

Having ensured all the tampers are depressed, I have tried resetting with my user code, the default code (0123) and engineer code, but nothing turns off the beeping.

Thought I would have solved it today but what's next?]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309533#Comment_309533 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309533#Comment_309533 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 22:32:23 +0100 Rex
Fitted a new sounder battery (checked and is 6.3v) and followed the installation guide. When mains power is supplied to the panel, the mains light glows and the external sounder starts beeping. When the panel battery is connected, the sound makes a slightly different but still and alarm sound.

Can get the keypad into action with my user code but the sounder is still making this loud warning beep, beep, beep around two per second. It is not the normal alarm siren.

Having ensured all the tampers are depressed, I have tried resetting with my user code, the default code (0123) and engineer code, but nothing turns off the beeping.

Thought I would have solved it today but what's next?]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309534#Comment_309534 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309534#Comment_309534 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:16:38 +0100 philedge
The bell box manufacturer should be able to tell you what the beeps mean]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309542#Comment_309542 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309542#Comment_309542 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:14:47 +0100 Rex
As it happens having spent on a replacement battery which has not solved the issue, I have found on eBay, a new sounder for a relatively low price and am awaiting delivery.

If I knew anything about how to test circuits with multi-meter, I would do so, but that is a world beyond my knowledge.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309543#Comment_309543 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309543#Comment_309543 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:15:36 +0100 Rex
As it happens having spent on a replacement battery which has not solved the issue, I have found on eBay, a new sounder for a relatively low price and am awaiting delivery.

If I knew anything about how to test circuits with multi-meter, I would do so, but that is a world beyond my knowledge.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309544#Comment_309544 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309544#Comment_309544 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:17:28 +0100 Rex
What am I doing wrong?]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309545#Comment_309545 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309545#Comment_309545 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 11:16:27 +0100 djh Posted By: RexI open the GBF page, write a reply and then Add to Comments, it appears.I don't think you're doing anything wrong, I think the website is broken, but I don't understand what the bit I've quoted means?]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309548#Comment_309548 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309548#Comment_309548 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:19:38 +0000 Rex
The same 'kinda' warning beep happens. Did some checking and found that the entire system appears to operate just fine when the mains is not connected; i.e it seems to be working on the batteries.

But connect the mains, the alarm operates, enter my code and the alarm stops but the loud warning beep continues from the sounder.

Put the original back and did the same tests with the same result. On the mains, a warning beep. Guess the sounder is not the issue but beats me what is happening on the main panel as I only replaced the 12v battery.

As for the whisper comments, if I just write in the comments section and Add, all is fine. But if I log-on at the top of the page, then add a comment, it is Whispered to me and not showing in the thread.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309551#Comment_309551 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309551#Comment_309551 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 19:48:01 +0000 Peter_in_Hungary If you delete your name in the Whisper box then all will be well. You have to delete your name each time you go to a different thread
It seems that the 'auto fill' has got too big for its boots.

BTW if you forget and whisper the post to yourself you can resolve the problem by editing the post and deleting your name in the whisper box then save changes.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309553#Comment_309553 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309553#Comment_309553 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 07:25:55 +0000 Rex
Now back to the sounder!]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309555#Comment_309555 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309555#Comment_309555 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:03:49 +0000 WillInAberdeen
Is this right? :

You have fitted:
a secondhand sounder unit and
a new sounder battery and
a new battery in the main panel.

So the beeping (error) noise could be because problems with any of those, or just the system complaining it has been tampered with. You can't tell which, until you do some structured fault finding changing just one thing each time.

Can you put everything back exactly like it was before you started? If it still complains then that tells you it's the anti tampering thing.

If it stops complaining then fit the new sounder battery and test, then the new panel battery and test, and so on, one at a time, until you discover what exactly it is complaining about.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309556#Comment_309556 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309556#Comment_309556 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:23:23 +0000 philedge
The frequency of beeping may well mean something that the panel manufacture would be able to explain to you so worth contacting them]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309563#Comment_309563 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309563#Comment_309563 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 20:50:39 +0000 Rex
I am currently back with the original sounder on the wall plus a new 6v battery. Have the old battery which is probably around 6/7 years old but giving a 6v reading.

Don't have the previous panel 12v battery, which was 6 years old. So back to the original set-up with new batteries but it is giving the same beeping that caused me to replace the batteries.

"Have you tried linking out the tamper circuit in the main panel and checking that the tamper switch on the main panel cover is operating." Not sure what this means? But to the best of my knowledge, the tampers are working. With them all depressed, the RKP gives a Tamper Lockout message until I reset, then the message clears and the system appears to work but with this insistent beeping.

Will look for contact details and give them a call on the morrow.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309573#Comment_309573 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309573#Comment_309573 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:25:13 +0000 Rex
BUT.....press in the mains fuse (mains fused supply to the immediate right of this photo) and although the system appears to be working, the sounder is making a loud warning beep beep beep. Resetting and the system appears to be working on the mains, but with this constant background sounder beep, beep, beep. Not the alarm siren, just an incessant beeping. Presumably, there is a mains fault.

Nothing is showing on the RKP as it is some kind of warning.

These ADE (Acenta Gen4 Mini and Reson 8 sounder) items are both now Honeywell and the call automatically cuts off having pressed the correct option.

I realise that it is not possible to suggest what is happening from looking at a poor quality photo, but perhaps someone would be kind enough to make a suggestion.

Many thanks]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309575#Comment_309575 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309575#Comment_309575 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:59:25 +0000 philedge Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309576#Comment_309576 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309576#Comment_309576 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:57:35 +0000 Rex
Although I fitted a replacement (new, unused but obviously old) bell box, and subsequently replaced the original, before removing, I took a photo of the connections to ensure that I connected correctly.

And it is working on the batteries, and the mains with this additional 'warning' beep from the sounder. Nothing from the RKP once reset and no message as to what is happening.

I do wonder if the sounder is telling me the battery needs charging but it is new and reading 6.2v]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309577#Comment_309577 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309577#Comment_309577 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:10:08 +0000 philedge
In your photo zone 8 doesn't have a link but this can be set as a non functioning zone in the config. If the config has been changed then you'd need a link on zone 8 so I'd put a link on that just to rule it out- an alarm cable staple works well if the original links haven't been left in the bottom of the panel.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309578#Comment_309578 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309578#Comment_309578 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:56:10 +0000 Rex
Thanks for your thoughts and I do feel a bit guilty of this mountain out of a mole hill.

Not sure about a buzzer on the control panel but certainly on the RKP. Perhaps I'm guilty of not using the correct term but the two per second sound (loud beeping) is from the external bell box. This is not a smoke alarm, once every twenty seconds single quite beep to warn of a battery issue. It is an extremely loud, excessively aggressive (not as aggressive as the siren) 2 - 3 per second beeping. Much more that one would expect as a battery warning, and it is only happening when the mains is live. On the batteries, all is fine once the tamper lockout has been cleared.

Cannot imagine a tamper fault as it is not happening with the batteries.

Regarding Zone 8. never had a link installed as we only have seven PIR sensors around the house; nothing on windows or doors. No Fire or PA set; just plain vanilla seven zone PIR sensors; not connected to the phone.

An earlier suggest was to remove the bell box piezo buzzer from the equation but there is no piezo buzzer on the bell box board.

And the new bell box was doing the same so currently have the original installed since presumably, it is not faulty.

Just to reiterate, this noise started spontaneously when I set the alarm one morning. Have done nothing whatsoever to the alarm until this noise started. Didn't even check the batteries; it just started.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309580#Comment_309580 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309580#Comment_309580 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:48:06 +0000 philedge
If I remember correctly, Zone 8 on earlier ADE panels was ear marked as a fire zone so if you've got an earlier panel and it's not configured correctly it may be indicating fire which I think is a pulses the bell box siren. Reading the manual for your specific panel will clarify.

If you've tried 2 identical bell boxes and both exhibit the same pulsing siren then that suggests a fault with the wiring, the panel or the panel config.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309586#Comment_309586 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309586#Comment_309586 Sat, 01 Nov 2025 15:50:47 +0000 Rex
Will have a look; thanks fro the suggestion.

Regarding a wiring fault on the panel, anything is a possibility, but since the beeping started a few weeks ago when I set the alarm to go out, there is no reason that the panel would develop a self-inflicted wiring fault? Or is there?

Checking the panel and manual, 7 & 8 are fire zones, but I do have 7 set as one of the PIR sensors. BUT, it has been that way for 15 years. so unlikely to be the cause.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309587#Comment_309587 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309587#Comment_309587 Sun, 02 Nov 2025 06:54:00 +0000 Dominic Cooney We had one in front of an outdoor LED light, kept triggering it repeatedly.
Very annoying.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309588#Comment_309588 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309588#Comment_309588 Sun, 02 Nov 2025 06:57:01 +0000 Dominic Cooney But it could just have gone faulty, I didn’t establish cause or effect.
Just turned it off at the switch indoors.]]> Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309589#Comment_309589 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309589#Comment_309589 Sun, 02 Nov 2025 16:22:44 +0000 djh Sounder Battery https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309590#Comment_309590 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18363&Focus=309590#Comment_309590 Sun, 02 Nov 2025 19:36:16 +0000 Rex
And as there is not piezo buzzer on the bell box board, it can only be from the siren module itself.

I do have a second RKP and was checking if that is AOK with the messages but those are the same as the front door RKP.

My thoughts but i don't have a solution (yet?) It is all working on battery but this 'half' alarm happens when the mains is connected. Somehow, mains voltage that can only be 12/13v is triggering something and causing the bell box to make this beeping,

I am not fully familiar with how to use a multi-meter, but presumably, when the system is in set mode, there would be no signal (volts?) from the board to the bell box? If that is the case, given that there are only five wires to the bell box, how do I check?]]>