On our last trip, the smoke detector started to randomly chirp (may be once every 5-10 minutes). It started in the middle of the night (of course), which the dogs really enjoyed. I took it down and pulled the battery and obviously it stopped. In the morning I checked the 9 volt battery with the old tongue test and it seemed to have plenty of life in the battery. The trailer was just manufactured in mid January, so I know it's not that old. After putting the battery back in and putting it back up in the ceiling there was no beeping for about 12 hours or so and then it started up again. I know I should try a new battery, but haven't had a chance yet. It just didn't seem like the battery was the cause of the issue, but it certainly had those symptoms. Outside of that, could this just be a malfunctioning smoke detector? I would think if it's malfunctioning it would just do nothing, but may be its some kind of safety feature....I have no idea.Thoughts?

The chirp is designed to tell you the battery is low. Not dead. So the tongue test would still get a positive result...

It had a good pop to it, so I figured it was still good. Looks like I'll be buying my first 9v battery in about a decade.

I'm not sure how accurate a tongue is. :) Replace the battery. A couple of bucks and not a wasted investment.What I want to know is how do the manufacturers makes sure that the batteries always die at 2:00am??? And not between 9:00 and 5:00pm?

Buy new battery - if that doesn't fix it - replace the smoke detector their not expensive.

Smoke Detector Issue | Good Sam Community

TOMMY47
Explorer
May 21, 2015
Simplest first--Battery.
samhain7
Explorer
May 21, 2015
The chirp is designed to tell you the battery is low. Not dead. So the tongue test would still get a positive result...
RavensFan24
Explorer
May 21, 2015
It had a good pop to it, so I figured it was still good. Looks like I'll be buying my first 9v battery in about a decade.
pconroy328
Explorer
May 21, 2015
I'm not sure how accurate a tongue is. :) Replace the battery. A couple of bucks and not a wasted investment.

What I want to know is how do the manufacturers makes sure that the batteries always die at 2:00am??? And not between 9:00 and 5:00pm?
ksg5000
Explorer
May 21, 2015
Buy new battery - if that doesn't fix it - replace the smoke detector their not expensive.
Sourdough_Biscu
Explorer
May 21, 2015
ksg5000 wrote:
Buy new battery - if that doesn't fix it - replace the smoke detector their not expensive.

x2 on BOTH :)
rockhillmanor
Explorer
May 21, 2015
RavensFan24 wrote:
It had a good pop to it, so I figured it was still good. Looks like I'll be buying my first 9v battery in about a decade.

10 year old battery? That should have been your first clue!!!:B

The fire department's recommend everyone replace them every year!
"The International Fire Chiefs Association....changing your smoke alarm batteries every November when you set your clocks back for DST."
Ron3rd
Explorer III
May 22, 2015
Many detectors have a shelf life for the sensor. My old Kidde Nighthawk would beep after about 9 years old indicating it needed to be replaced, per the manual. I new battery will not fix this issue.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
May 22, 2015
Replace the battery as it is most likely the cause. Check the expiration date on the detector.
nineoaks2004
Explorer
May 22, 2015
samhain7 wrote:
The chirp is designed to tell you the battery is low. Not dead. So the tongue test would still get a positive result...

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