Spooky smoke alarm

Pumpkinseeds

Right, for about a year now one of our smoke alarms starts making noises at precisely 12.55 am or 1.05am. Its a couple of peep sounds and maybe one or two louder beeps. We've changed the batteries and we've even replaced it with a new smoke alarm. I can't think of anything that would be triggering it and its starting to give me the creeps. It really isn't funny if I'm in the house on my own, in bed and in the dark. Any ideas on what it could be?



*Burning the house down and exorcism are not options*

bbam

Smoke alarms can be triggered by microwaves. Unless its very close to a source it shouldn't happen.
Just another useless fact really.

El Weirdo

AH ====> Electrical.

You'll probably get more useful answers in here, OP.

charlietheminxx

Get an exorcism and when that fails, burn the place down :pac:

Mr.Crinklewood

El Weirdo wrote: »

AH ====> Electrical.

You'll probably get more useful answers in here, OP.

...but what about the fun AH answers?

M cebee

dampness and cold afaik can cause it
Unless maybe a voltage issue if something is kicking in at that time
All i can think of anyhow

M cebee

cheap bateries can be a problem as well-duracell ultra are usualy ok
Wouldnt account for timing though

meercat

if you have 2 smoke alarms,swap them over
this should confirm exactly which one it is

put new batteries in all detectors

deandean

First thoughts are you've lost a Rampant Rabbit in the house.;)

When the smoke alarms start beeping in my gaff they usually do so at about that time: house temperature is lower, thus battery voltage is lower, thus beep-beep.

Smoke alarms are simple and cheap devices. If yours offends thee, destine it for the wheelybin and buy another. Get the one with the 10-year battery built in.

Pumpkinseeds

I don't know what to do about the bloody thing. It did it again at 12.55am this morning. We never use cheap batteries in them. We changed it a couple of months ago and its still happening. We don't smoke, we don't cook after 7pm and the house doesn't have any damp. The windows are generally open until late evening and then are on the latch at night. Its on the landing and there is one in the hall. We haven't had the heat on since April

nacimroc

Mine was beeping like mad even after I changed battery. Found the terminals on the smoke alarm were printed backwards. (Battery was therefore in backwards) This happened on both smoke alarms in the house.

Pumpkinseeds

I think we're just going to have to replace them both again and see what happens. Its weird and creepy that it only happens at precisely those times and then there's the worry about the reliability of the smoke alarms actually working if there were to be a fire during the night.

meercat

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I don't know what to do about the bloody thing. It did it again at 12.55am this morning. We never use cheap batteries in them. We changed it a couple of months ago and its still happening. We don't smoke, we don't cook after 7pm and the house doesn't have any damp. The windows are generally open until late evening and then are on the latch at night. Its on the landing and there is one in the hall. We haven't had the heat on since April

Clock radio in another room with alarm set?????

M cebee

you might be onto something
I was thinking mains+batt when i said voltage issue

Pumpkinseeds

No, we don't have a clock radio and they are both battery alarms. It's just one of those bizarre things. I think what's bugging me most is why it's only happening at those specific times.

Even if one of my neighbours had been using anything that could trigger it, they wouldn't be doing it at precisely the same times, each and every time. Since they are battery alarms I can't think what it would be. I was convinced that when we replaced the units the problem would be resolved, so it was very frustrating that it wasn't.

Alun

nacimroc wrote: »

Mine was beeping like mad even after I changed battery. Found the terminals on the smoke alarm were printed backwards. (Battery was therefore in backwards) This happened on both smoke alarms in the house.

Most alarms use PP3 9V batteries and it's impossible to connect these up the wrong way. Does yours use AA / AAA sized batteries?

dharn

can smoke detectors see ghosts ??

leeomurchu

I'd consider swapping them over too mains wired smoke alarm with battery back up. It's definitely an odd one alright :eek:

whizbang

what have you got in the vicinity that switches on/off at night ?

outside light/nite rate meter/immersion/well pumps/gate closer/solar/wind, etc,etc

what time do you go to bed at and plug in your mobile phone ?

Pumpkinseeds

The latest that the mobiles would be charged is late evening. There isn't anything that would directly affect it anywhere near it. We don't leave any electrical appliances on standby etc.

JOHNPT

Can you post a picture of the 2 alarms showing their location - you seem to have an answer for everything

msshono

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

Right, for about a year now one of our smoke alarms starts making noises at precisely 12.55 am or 1.05am. Its a couple of peep sounds and maybe one or two louder beeps. We've changed the batteries and we've even replaced it with a new smoke alarm. I can't think of anything that would be triggering it and its starting to give me the creeps. It really isn't funny if I'm in the house on my own, in bed and in the dark. Any ideas on what it could be?



*Burning the house down and exorcism are not options*

Is it connected to the mains power of the house or just run off batteries?

oaklands

Maybe they are just performing a regular self diagnostic test.

You could try to take the batteries out for more than 5 minutes at around noon and the see if this changes the time the unwanted beeps occur.

(No inside knowledge on this - just a guess. NB battery needs to be re-inserted after the 5 mins)

Otherwise checking the instruction manual or contacting the manufacturer, might be a good idea as the beeps could also be a malfunction code.