🚀 go-pugleaf

John Kostecki <jkost@execpc.com> wrote:
>Bhoot Nath wrote:
>
>> Three of the six smoke alarms in began chirping a few days back. I
>> presume that this means that the 9 volts batteries must be replaced.
>> So, we thought, rather than buying alkaline batteries, why not buy
>> rechargeable ones. We already have a recharger that works with
>> AA/AAA/9V etc. After a few searches at yahoo.com, excite.com &
>> mysimon.com we found out that cheapest mail order is about $7, about
>> the same as the nearest Walmart.
>
>I agree with everyone else that says this is not a good idea.  At 7.2
>volts, they may chirp all the time.
>
>> 3. On a web site, I also saw a reference to "Super long lasting,
>> industrial strength 9 volt alkaline batter"  for $20, about 10 times
>> what a regular 9 volt battery costs. Any one has any experience with
>> this kind of battery? WOuld it last 10 years in a smoke alarm?
>
>Well, according to the packaging on the last smoke alarm that I bought, the
>Duracell that came with it is supposed to last 2 years, and I can get those
>for under $2, so I would think that good alkalines would be a better bet
>than a $20 battery (or 3).
>I can't see why one would change the battery every six months, even though
>lives and property are at stake.  The alarm lets you know when the battery
>is dying, and the alarm will still sound in the event of a fire.  I don't
>enjoy changing out batteries where a ladder is involved, so a 2 year
>changing schedule makes a lot of sense to me.
>JK

Ditto.  Alkalines last a very long time in smoke alarms.  You can put
the date on one with a permanent marker and find out.  They last so
long that buying only one or two at a time probably is best, unless
you have another use for them.  I just test the smoke alarm from time
to time and wait for it to tell me (chirp) when to change the battery.
C ya, 
LShaping