ancient Optima XM6 - what state might it be in? (Power LED only)

[jedin]

I've moved into a flat with an Optima XM6. As far as I know, it was last used sometime before 2011, though it's been connected to power all that time (except when the power goes off, of course!), and the sellers did not mention any propensity for it to go off.

 

I'm wondering what state it might be in. Only the power light is showing (no day mode light), which should mean it's armed. However since it doesn't go off (either by sounding or showing an attack light), it must be either in some other state, or simply dead.

 

There's an external (presumably self-contained) sounder/strobe with a defunct company name on it.

 

I guess my main concern is, am I pretty safe to assume that everything is dead, and if I start taking it out, I won't alarm the neighbourhood?

I see from the advice elsewhere on this site that none of you would recommend trying to repair it!

[PeterJames]

I wouldnt assume anything with an old system, the panel battery is most likely no good, but thats not to say the same for the external sounder battery. We get many people come here because their external sound sounds in a power cut. Thats because the panel battery is no good but the sounder battery is in pristine condition. 

The XM were a good panel and there are still a fair few of them out there in good servicable condition. 

 Its likely the panel has locked up (probably due to the panel battery no good) If you down power it the external sounder could start sounding. 

[sixwheeledbeast]

Who knows, in working order the system is designed to be tamperproof, triggering the internal and/or external bells depending on how it's tampered with.

I imagine it's well past it's best and should be decommissioned or upgraded if the wiring is in good order. The power light indicates it is connected to mains power so could alarm if you play with it.

Systems that have had no maintenance for many years are generally for the bin. But I'm sure you've read all this before if you've been reading posts here.

[jedin]

I wasn't told that there were any sounds during power cuts - I've had the power off for about an hour with no noise from outside, which from what you say means that either both batteries are ok or both are dead. Maybe it's ladder, earplugs and big hammer time

[PeterJames]

3 minutes ago, jedin said:

I wasn't told that there were any sounds during power cuts - I've had the power off for about an hour with no noise from outside, which from what you say means that either both batteries are ok or both are dead. Maybe it's ladder, earplugs and big hammer time

It could be that the bell battery is dead, its very rare though most of the public posts we get here are about alarms sounding when their power is turned off.

 

Rather than a hammer I would advise a screwdriver and just disconnect the battery, the bell box is a deterrent there has been a marked rise in crime recently and I dont see a sign of it slowing down.