Recommend me new smoke alarms

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rb99

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#3026983 25-Jan-2023 14:25

Actually I remember reading about this non-replaceable thing a few years ago and rapidly hunting round Bunnings etc for the last of the older replaceable models.

Still like them though.

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timmmay

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#3026986 25-Jan-2023 14:37

Ah, you're right. The mains model has a 10 year backup battery. The battery smoke alarm model has a 10 year battery that is not replaceable. The heat alarm has a five year battery that is replaceable. I wonder if the reason the battery isn't replaceable is the alarms or detectors themselves wear out. Buying a new one every 10 years isn't so unreasonable.

The great thing about advertising that is if the smoke alarm fails even one day before ten years is up you take it back to Miter 10 and they replace it with a new one. Just make sure you scan your receipts somewhere you can find it later.

I looked at a bunch on Amazon US as well. In the end I decided that the Cavius brand purchased locally made more sense, even though they were more expensive that buying from Amazon US.

jarledb

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#3026997 25-Jan-2023 15:10

Smoke alarms with a non-replaceable 10 year battery isn't a problem - as long as the batteries last 10 years.

Cavius have a 10 year warranty on their batteries.

The American National Fire Protection Association recommends you replace your smoke alarm every 10 years. The same recommendation is made by similar organisations around the world.

The recommendation is based on the known failure rate of electronics over time.

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Stu1

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#3027003 25-Jan-2023 15:36

Another vote for Cavius

cddt

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#3027005 25-Jan-2023 15:45

Good feedback thanks... Cavius and Nest Protect seem the two most popular by far.

networkn

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#3027057 25-Jan-2023 16:06

We have both Cavius and Nest Protect. I really like them both and I am glad I have both.

Cavius after sales support was really good. I called up after 8 years and they replaced 3 of my 3 units even though only 2 had an issue.

I like the App for the Nest, and it feels reassuring that I would know remotely if my fire alarm went off at home.

tweake

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#3027069 25-Jan-2023 16:48

with the 10 year non-replaceable battery ones, from what i've had the battery is not the problem. they typically false trigger.

i mostly have cavius which have been good. the odd false alarm tho. i also have some first alert i think its is and they are rubbish.

one of the issues with these alarms is actually nz low quality housing. they do not respond well to sudden changes in moisture and sometimes dust. they typically fault when it gets really cold, ie early morning. thats also when humidity goes up.

i pulled a first alert one apart and it uses a fairly standard circuit, however i think it does it poorly. there is a few write ups on the circuit around and the issues with them.

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FineWine

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#3027077 25-Jan-2023 17:20

We originally bought Warrior from M10, on purchase of our house, returned the lot within 3 years. M10 no longer stock due to too many returns. We replaced them with Orca and have returned replaced all but one.

We also will be following this Topic with interest - thanks.

TIP: with any of these types of products from M10 & Bunnings keep your receipts - BUT photocopy them when fresh as the till printer ink fades very quickly. We then store everything - anal perhaps but we have never had problems getting money back or replacements.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

rscole86

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#3027078 25-Jan-2023 17:23

Better still with M10, have your airpoints card linked to their club scheme and they will email you the receipt, when you scan your airpoints card in store.

KrazyKid

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#3028676 29-Jan-2023 10:49

Following with interest.
I see Noel Leeming has the cavius smoke alarms on sale (normal and wireless connect) at the moment. $39 or 10year stand alone and $89 for wireless connectable.
Sale ends 31 Jan.

https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/p/cavius-10-year-photoelectric-smoke-alarm/N143102.html

timmmay

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#3028683 29-Jan-2023 11:25

Nice find 🙂 Plenty of reviews saying they don't last 10 years, just keep your receipt and ideally note where each alarm is mounted so if it fails within 10 years either the store or cavius will replace it.

NL also have the wireless networked smoke alarms available, about $90 each. Cheaper than M10.

tweake

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#3028701 29-Jan-2023 12:23

https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/long-life-smoke-alarms-why-do-they-fail-early

has a little bit of good info.

these get there long life by pulsing the circuit, so its not using power all the time. if it detects something, it turns on fully to check and see if its smoke or dust which is fairly standard for photoelectric fire alarms. of course each time it does that it chews more power. the catch is poor quality homes, which is standard in nz, due to the moisture and dust will trip the alarm more often.

the one i pulled apart the battery was fine. but interesting that the design is voltage sensitive (there is a few write ups around of the design) and parts of it should be close as possible to the chip. so the manufacture puts it on a secondary board away from the chip. so multiple points where it can get small amounts of voltage drop. no surprise then that it false triggers.

ToPGuNZ

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#3057378 1-Apr-2023 09:54

Thank you for this thread. I had to replace ours so got some Cavius ones at a good price using Noel Leeming work perk. Will see how they go. I like how small they are and they are certainly louder than the old ones.

Dratsab

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#3057396 1-Apr-2023 11:41

Off-topic, but slightly related, is that on top of smoke alarms you should also have an evacuation plan covering multiple contingencies. The plan needs to encompass a middle-of-the-night event and take into account the fact that high frequency alarms are ineffective at waking pre-teen children (if you have any).

FineWine

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#3057408 1-Apr-2023 12:28

https://fireandemergency.nz/home-fire-safety/creating-an-escape-plan/

https://getready.govt.nz/en/

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

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