Hkc alarm rf low battery fault

scooby21 · 13-03-2017 10:47pm #1

Hi I have a 4 year old hkc alarm system wireless with one wired pir sensor and a GSM unit it also has 2 fobs .I'm getting a fault saying "rf low battery contact engeer" I replaced all unit batterys checked voltage of main 12v battery and the 8v battery on bell box all okay.I was just wondering if the fault needs to be just deleted, some how?
I don't know how to access service menu to find location of Fault any guidance would be greatly appreciated..

altor · 13-03-2017 11:19pm

scooby21 wrote: »

Hi I have a 4 year old hkc alarm system wireless with one wired pir sensor and a GSM unit it also has 2 fobs .I'm getting a fault saying "rf low battery contact engeer" I replaced all unit batterys checked voltage of main 12v battery and the 8v battery on bell box all okay.I was just wondering if the fault needs to be just deleted, some how?
I don't know how to access service menu to find location of Fault any guidance would be greatly appreciated..

Have you the engineer code off the system?

KoolKid · 14-03-2017 12:28am

scooby21 wrote: »

Hi I have a 4 year old hkc alarm system wireless with one wired pir sensor and a GSM unit it also has 2 fobs .I'm getting a fault saying "rf low battery contact engeer" I replaced all unit batterys checked voltage of main 12v battery and the 8v battery on bell box all okay.I was just wondering if the fault needs to be just deleted, some how?
I don't know how to access service menu to find location of Fault any guidance would be greatly appreciated..

The fault should clear itself.Have you a meter to check the battery voltages on all the devices? One might be iffy.
Engineer code would also be handy as it will tell you which device is the problem in the log.

scooby21 · 14-03-2017 8:30am

KoolKid wrote: »

The fault should clear itself.Have you a meter to check the battery voltages on all the devices? One might be iffy.
Engineer code would also be handy as it will tell you which device is the problem in the log.

Yep I have tested all batteries at this stage and all are good. The beeping has now stoped but the fault is still in the system .i will contact the company that fitted it helpfully they will be nice enough to give me the access code ..
Thanks

scooby21 · 14-03-2017 8:33am

altor wrote: »

Have you the engineer code off the system?

Nope afraid not . I will contact company that fitted it and see if they have it and will give it to me .

KoolKid · 14-03-2017 8:52am

Let's know how you get on. Are you sure you are not missing a wireless device somewhere?

scooby21 · 14-03-2017 9:44am

KoolKid wrote: »

Let's know how you get on. Are you sure you are not missing a wireless device somewhere?

I did open the key pad panel as well but did not notice any battery in it ..should it have one that I might not have noticed?

KoolKid · 14-03-2017 12:31pm

The most common ones forgotten are wireless keyfobs /panic buttons.

altor · 15-03-2017 1:41am

scooby21 wrote: »

Nope afraid not . I will contact company that fitted it and see if they have it and will give it to me .

If you have no joy, you could also try a default.
If not engineer locked you can just default the codes and keep all other programming.
The systems device status is the best option to find the fault when you get into engineer mode.

scooby21 · 15-03-2017 9:47am

Ok so I got the engineer code and managed to get the fault so it's " rf low battery " "sb1 sabb 1"
So am I right in saying that's the bell box outside?

KoolKid · 15-03-2017 9:50am

That's correct.

scooby21 · 15-03-2017 10:00am

Ok it's a 8.4v 320mah battery 320 bvhx7 I was getting 8.5v on the meter but I wouldn't mind changing it anyway just incase it's dropping when under load and to rule it out..

KoolKid · 15-03-2017 1:05pm

Easy enough to change. You can disconnect the pack and change the batteries on the ground.

altor · 15-03-2017 2:47pm

scooby21 wrote: »

Ok so I got the engineer code and managed to get the fault so it's " rf low battery " "sb1 sabb 1"
So am I right in saying that's the bell box outside?

Have you changed the batteries in the external bell?

KoolKid · 15-03-2017 9:01pm

scooby21 wrote: »

I wouldn't mind changing it anyway just incase it's dropping when under load and to rule it out..

At 4 years old I would recommend changing it now. Better to keep all the batteries at the same age & not let them get staggered.

altor · 15-03-2017 11:35pm

scooby21 wrote: »

Ok it's a 8.4v 320mah battery 320 bvhx7 I was getting 8.5v on the meter but I wouldn't mind changing it anyway just incase it's dropping when under load and to rule it out..

Have you an external power supply or cable from the panel going to that bell?

It sounds like you are talking about the round back up battery as opposed to the battery packs normally used with the wire free bells.
Especially with the voltage you are quoting.

scooby21 · 16-03-2017 9:48am

altor wrote: »

Have you an external power supply or cable from the panel going to that bell?

It sounds like you are talking about the round back up battery as opposed to the battery packs normally used with the wire free bells.
Especially with the voltage you are quoting.

Yep that's what I have the bell has power supply with back up battery pack . I replaced the battery last night things did not go to plan
The fault remains on the panel and I
pressed a few wrong things in frustration I went into rf devices and default all rf devices so now I have removed all of the rf devices from system ðŸ˜
Any chance someone has a manual or link to a video for installation or how to 're enroll the rf devices ?

KoolKid · 16-03-2017 10:21am

I have PMed you that manual.
Enrolment is easy enough and this should definitely show up where the error is coming from.
If you need any help come back to us.

scooby21 · 16-03-2017 11:42am

Thanks for all the help so far I'll keep ye posted .

KoolKid · 16-03-2017 1:38pm

You're welcome. If you get a chance post up a picture of the external bell. I'm curious where the RF SAB error was coming from.

altor · 17-03-2017 12:04am

scooby21 wrote: »

Yep that's what I have the bell has power supply with back up battery pack . I replaced the battery last night things did not go to plan
The fault remains on the panel and I
pressed a few wrong things in frustration I went into rf devices and default all rf devices so now I have removed all of the rf devices from system ðŸ˜
Any chance someone has a manual or link to a video for installation or how to 're enroll the rf devices ?

Ok so you have an external power supply with the round battery in the external bell?

If so have you looked at the power supply to see if this is causing the issue?

Adding devices is done in the RF device menu, add RF zone.
Scan for devices, when it picked them up, press quit, then open and close the lid on the device to enroll them on the system.

Take a note of zone location plus number you enroll the device to for programming the names and options later.

Llamedos · 07-04-2018 2:56pm

Does anyone know how to reset the engineering code, the company who put mine is is long gone.

KoolKid · 09-04-2018 7:49pm

Is the panel engineer locked?
If not the panel can be defaulted by removing the mains power & battery,
Remove the factory link marked JP1
Power back up .
If defaulted the factory codes will be
Engineer 04567
User 01111

If it is engineer locked any good installer can reset it for you.

torrevieja · 09-04-2018 10:22pm

hey Kool if you dont have the engineers code is it easy to get?

KoolKid · 12-04-2018 8:11am

torrevieja wrote: »

hey Kool if you dont have the engineers code is it easy to get?

Unfortunately we are no longer allowed help you here with engineer codes.
Any good installer would be able to reset the system for you though.

Ollie111 · 01-05-2019 9:21am

Alarm panel is showing battery fault.,
I undertand that I need to turn off power and change batttery but I am falling at the first hurdle! How do I open alarm panel??
There is a button on the base and a screw. Do i need to take screw out?
Are batteries easy to source? Where would I get one in Cork City please.

Funds are low at the moment so would prefer to do it myself and not call out alarm company

Llamedos · 01-05-2019 1:23pm

All alarms are different and I am not an electrician or qualified in any way.

My unqualified advice is as follows..
Turn off the trip switch on your mains board. ALWAYS
Mine was similar to yours with the one screw. The battery sits loose in the case with just 2 wires attached. But be prepared to have someone at the alarm panel with the code as most units have tamper sensors to prevent dishonest tradesman who might have had access to your home trying to disable your system. So even with the power off the siren may go off if the battery has some power for such an event.
Remove wires from the battery separately. ( they usually can be pulled off easily)
Do not touch both terminals at once.

I believe most systems have generic batteries, the voltage is on the side of the battery if i remember correctly.
Use google to find a supplier or alarm wholesaler in your area or buy online.
Mine was as below. 12v.
My battery last year cost €17 only.
Make sure your terminal coloring's are correct red to red etc if the wires have no distinct colours put some tape on the one you are removing from the red terminal.
Bring the battery with you to the shop and let them dispose of it.
If buying online dispose of the old one ethically please.

Easy peasy job. Click on the link below to view a generic battery.

https://ie.rs-online.com/web/p/products/5375488/?grossPrice=Y&cm_mmc=IE-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-CSS_IE_EN_Promotions-_-Lead+Acid_Bestsellers_April19-_-PRODUCT_GROUP&matchtype=&pla-340070174288&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh6XmBRDRARIsAKNInDG1zdYLdiKcZStDVbrzBxlRWNUlnFUOnapJKTK2ZcaD43NHDV-57TQaAi6iEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

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kub · 04-05-2019 9:54am

Ollie111 wrote: »

Alarm panel is showing battery fault.,
I undertand that I need to turn off power and change batttery but I am falling at the first hurdle! How do I open alarm panel??
There is a button on the base and a screw. Do i need to take screw out?
Are batteries easy to source? Where would I get one in Cork City please.

Funds are low at the moment so would prefer to do it myself and not call out alarm company

The unit with the button and the screw underneath sounds like the remote keypad, that is not where the system battery is located.
What system have you installed?
Does the keypad have * and # buttons and does it have a male sounding voice sounding when the system is turned on and off ?

Ollie111 · 04-05-2019 11:28am

Yes it has *and # keys. Female voice tho!!
It says secure watch HKC on the front by speaker

Llamedos · 04-05-2019 3:42pm

Ollie111 wrote: »

Alarm panel is showing battery fault.,
I undertand that I need to turn off power and change batttery but I am falling at the first hurdle! How do I open alarm panel??
There is a button on the base and a screw. Do i need to take screw out?
Are batteries easy to source? Where would I get one in Cork City please.

Funds are low at the moment so would prefer to do it myself and not call out alarm company

FYI the battery is in the large white box, it is not in the alarm panel it's self

kub · 05-05-2019 1:45pm

Ollie111 wrote: »

Yes it has *and # keys. Female voice tho!!
It says secure watch HKC on the front by speaker

Are you certain that keypad has a female voice? I must have worked on thousands of that Securewatch model keypad and I have only ever heard a Male voice on it.

The newer Securewave model for the newer model panel has a female voice.

You will get a 12 volt 7 amp battery in AES, Kinsale Road. They are up by the Magic roundabout from Harvey Norman's

Ollie111 · 05-05-2019 1:49pm

Just took a family poll and 3 votes for male voice and 2 for female!! Maybe a deep female voice?

Thanks for advice on where to get battery.

Just to clarify..., is battery in alarm panel or is it in the box on side of house?

Thanks for all the help so far

kub · 05-05-2019 2:01pm

Ollie111 wrote: »

Just took a family poll and 3 votes for male voice and 2 for female!! Maybe a deep female voice?

Thanks for advice on where to get battery.

Just to clarify..., is battery in alarm panel or is it in the box on side of house?

Thanks for all the help so far

Very Democratic.

When you see the size of the battery you will see why it will only fit in the system Control Panel.
It is neither the keypad or the external sounder unit.

There in your house you have a metal blank box, it might be next to your fuse board, it is around the same size as a domestic type fuse board.
Or it may be in your hot press, an attic, but it is certainly there somewhere.

Llamedos · 05-05-2019 4:57pm

Its in a white box in your house, usually in your attic, hallway or in a cupboard under the stairs

Ollie111 · 07-05-2019 11:08am

I found it in the utility but in a really awkward spot : Will need my other half to help me access it. Got a price of 80 euro from alarm guy to change the battery so really hope we can do it ourselves

Ollie111 · 11-05-2019 12:01pm

Job done!!!

Thanks for all the advice.
As per process above I turned off power and took out battery.

Headed to aes Kinsale Road for new battery 24 euro. Brought old one with me.
Was not able to set alarm without battery present but was only a few hours.

Turned off power again, put in new battery and all working ok!!!

Saved myself 56 euro!!

Dtoffee · 25-05-2020 8:56pm

I have been getting the low battery message and followed the instructions above .... bought a new battery with same spec and size etc, unset the alarm and turned off the power before putting the new battery in main control panel (not keypad).

Problem is I am still getting a low battery message and I am wondering if there's another small battery I may have missed ? also I don't have the engineers code as the alarm was already on the house when I moved in. When I changed the battery, I needed to re enter the year.... other that than no problems.

Any ideas ?

Thanks

altor · 30-05-2020 8:13pm

Dtoffee wrote: »

I have been getting the low battery message and followed the instructions above .... bought a new battery with same spec and size etc, unset the alarm and turned off the power before putting the new battery in main control panel (not keypad).

Problem is I am still getting a low battery message and I am wondering if there's another small battery I may have missed ? also I don't have the engineers code as the alarm was already on the house when I moved in. When I changed the battery, I needed to re enter the year.... other that than no problems.

Any ideas ?

Thanks

Depending on the software on the panel you would need the engineer code to restart the battery timer in engineer mode.

Dtoffee · 30-05-2020 9:25pm

altor wrote: »

Depending on the software on the panel you would need the engineer code to restart the battery timer in engineer mode.

Thanks for the reply ..... there has been no problems or fault reports the last few nights and the only thing I can think of is that the new battery took 24 hrs to fully charge.

No doubt I have put the mockers on it now :rolleyes:

baegan · 08-03-2023 10:06pm

Hi Guys, similar problem with HKC low battery alarm error message

Anywhere in dublin kikdare area that sells battery's

Thanks

altor · 09-03-2023 8:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120332203#Comment_120332203

Check some of the suppliers here

Pistachio · 25-05-2023 7:16pm

Hi, is it possible to disable a hkc alarm totally? It was in the house when we got here, I've spent a fortune on batteries and still getting the fault beeping which is now constant!! Entering the code only stops it for a few seconds... it's more trouble than anything else, found an engineer who said he'll try fit us in next week! I'll have lost my mind by then....

altor · 28-05-2023 7:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120640309#Comment_120640309

You could do a full down power but unless the engineer has the engineer code he may not see what the fault was.

Hkc alarm rf low battery fault

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