Advantage ZX6 alarm fault

DaveF327

Hi all,

Hope someone in the know can help me with a little problem. I've just moved into a new house with a 12 year old Advantage ZX6 alarm.

All was working well with it. I even managed to change the user code and have armed and disarmed it a few times with the new code.

Then, I had to shut off the mains power to do some electrical work around the house. That's when the alarm went crazy. I entered my code.. nothing. Sirens wailed and bells rang. Pressed the X button (reset).. nothing. Sirens still wailed and bells still rang. Several presses of reset and re-entering codes later. Nothing. I even had an idea that the power outage may have made the box "forget" my new code, so I re-entered the previous occupants' code, still nothing. 9999 (assumed engineers code) did nothing, even with the reset button. In the end, I disconnected it from the mains, opened the case and removed the internal battery to shut the thing up.

So what now? When (if) I connect the power, will it remember my latest code? Is there a secret default code that will make it behave? It seems like the thing has just stopped responding to all key presses.

At the time, the LED panel was showing zone 6 lit. According to the handwritten table on the instructions, zone 6 is designated at "PA" which I assume is the panic alarm. The panic button has never been touched and is fully "out".

Crabman

We've had something similar (thread here) and it looks like the panic (PA) circuit may be to blame too.

It should remember your code in the event of a power failure - given that it was sounding when the power was off it would seem the battery has some life in it.

Try 1234 or 0000 as this is what some boxes will default to. If there was some kind of software fault it should have cleared now with there being no power to the system.

DaveF327

Thanks Crabman, but alas no joy

Reconnecting the battery made the LEDs slowly glow into life, then the siren started to chirp up again so I replaced the cover and connected the mains. The siren stopped, but all LED lit up and stayed on, with the exeption of "zone 6" LED and the "PA" LED.

All was quiet, but the box didn't respond to any key presses; not even a confirmation "beep" with each press.

After 10 minutes of staring at the box and the instructions, all sirens started screaming again and all LEDs went out. I pulled the fuse, yanked the cover off and pulled out the battery again. Back to square one :mad:

Crabman

I was looking at replacing our main control panel - they're not too expensive to source yourself provided you can find some reasonable quotes to fit and install:

http://www.tritonfiresystems.co.uk/category/domestic-control-panels/66/0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0/1

I'm looking at the Accenta G4 which is a reasonable £35 ish and has an LCD panel. However, you'd better make sure that this is something that you need otherwise you could be throwing money at the system without a guaranteed result.

Maybe consider phoning some local alarm fitters and asking for advice on the phone to see if they have any ideas.

DaveF327

Crabman wrote: »

Maybe consider phoning some local alarm fitters and asking for advice on the phone to see if they have any ideas.

Yeah, I had a feeling that would be my next step. If worst comes to worst and they insisted they come out and see it, what's the typical call out/fix fee nowadays for alarm engineers?

Lurchtheengineer

It may be that the back up battery is now to far run down,does it have an install date on it?If you plug the battery back in and all lights are dim then i suggest that this is the case.Maybe worth buying one,they are not expensive,tbh the panel is a simple one and could be changed for a more up to date one for about £150,maybe a bit more for a battery and a system check.

Hope you get it sorted.:beer:

Lurch.