Gardtec 370 'fb' Error Message - What To Do?

[hedgehog]

Hello,

I have a Gardtec 370 installed (around 10 years old) and a couple of years ago, an engineer replaced the battery and said it would last about 8 hours in the event of a power cut. My local electricity board plan to take the power out for at least 10 hours continuously in the next couple of days and when they cut the power I assume that eventually (after 8 hours or so) the control panel will end up displaying the 'Fb' error message and the alarm will trip out.

My question is that if the power is still down, and the battery has exhausted, is there any way I can stop the alarm from ringing and rearming repeatedly? E.g. could I use the master code to do this by setting and unsetting the system in the normal way or would this only be possible once the power company has restored mains power?

Alternatively, I may have the engineering code that was last used, so I thought maybe I could give this a try to temporarily change / minimise the bell ring time / number of rearms, in advance of the power cut. But I'm wary of taking a chance in case it's wrong and I end up messing up the system. If I was to try but the code is wrong, can I get back out safely or would I be "stuck in the system" until the correct code is entered?

Thanks to anyone who can help with this.

[Guest old-hand]

if i remember correctly FB is a Fuse Blown message.

The battery should as stated last for 8 hours , but this will depend on the amount of detectors that are on your system, as well the battery in those is only a 2.1 AMP baby.Then again it might last 18 hours, suck it and see time really.

once all power is lost the system should shut down and the outside sounder silence in 20 mins, if it was all installed correctly.

Leaving in engineering mode will silence it until it powers back up.

If your that worried just shut it down until the works cease. I would as the electricity being on and off could cause "spikes" they did it to me recently and I was 2 hours into a method statement and quotation and lost everything when the computer shut down ...................

[hedgehog]

if i remember correctly FB is a Fuse Blown message.

The battery should as stated last for 8 hours , but this will depend on the amount of detectors that are on your system, as well the battery in those is only a 2.1 AMP baby.Then again it might last 18 hours, suck it and see time really.

once all power is lost the system should shut down and the outside sounder silence in 20 mins, if it was all installed correctly.

Leaving in engineering mode will silence it until it powers back up.

If your that worried just shut it down until the works cease. I would as the electricity being on and off could cause "spikes" they did it to me recently and I was 2 hours into a method statement and quotation and lost everything when the computer shut down ...................

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Thanks for replying Oxo.

A couple of years ago we had a major power cut and after a few hours it eventually went to 'Fb'when the battery gave up the ghost, so I'm guessing the same will happen this time around.

I know nothing about alarms, so this will sound like a stupid question, but how do I shut it down until the power company have done their job?

[Guest RJBsec]

If you've got a couple of days notice, now would be a good time to get a new battery fitted to ensure maximum battery capacity when the power is cut off.

[Guest old-hand]

I`m not able to tell you how to shut down your alarm system unfortunately. The rules of this site forbid this information being posted on the public side. As you may understand if I told you how to bypass your system any fool could then use that information for ill use.

The suggestion of a total shutdown was the best idea. However an "engineer" would be required for this

I suggest you have the system serviced, that will ascertain the state of the stand by battery. Or just wait and see if it holds up during the power outage. If it does not then it really does need a service.

[hedgehog]

Fair enough Oxo,

In hindsight I can see that was a pretty dim question. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens when the power goes and do as you've advised if the battery dies. Going back to my other earlier point about the engineering code, if I was to enter what I think it is but it turns out to be wrong, will I be stuck in a loop in the system until the right code is entered, or can I exit safely somehow, no harm done? If you're now allowed to answer this question for similar reason to my previous one, I understand that.

RGB,

Unfortunately, the power work is due tomorrow so I won't have time to sort out a battery replacement in advance - the power company did give me reasonable notice, but I only remembered about it today, so it's my fault. Thanks for the advice though.

to you both.

[james.wilson]

DO bear in mind that if your sounders ring for longer than 20 mins you could be prosecuted or at least the council may stop the system from sounding and then charge you.

Unlikly granted in your situation but has happened to people that have been on holiday etc.

[Chorlton]

Fair enough Oxo,

In hindsight I can see that was a pretty dim question. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens when the power goes and do as you've advised if the battery dies. Going back to my other earlier point about the engineering code, if I was to enter what I think it is but it turns out to be wrong, will I be stuck in a loop in the system until the right code is entered, or can I exit safely somehow, no harm done? If you're now allowed to answer this question for similar reason to my previous one, I understand that.

RGB,

Unfortunately, the power work is due tomorrow so I won't have time to sort out a battery replacement in advance - the power company did give me reasonable notice, but I only remembered about it today, so it's my fault. Thanks for the advice though.

to you both.

can't help o the 1st Q but find your nearest branch of Maplin as they open Sundays (mine does anyway) to get a battery.

[Guest old-hand]

If you enter the wrong code it will go into code tamper ( cannot tell you after how many trys=see above=)

If you have the right code it will silence.

Made to be tamper proof and not allow people to enter random numbers. Hence an ALARM system.