Customer Reviews

Kidde 21006379 AC Wire-In With Battery Backup Smoke Alarm With Exit Light

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

KIDDE Pro Premium Plus Smoke & Fire Alarm with Exit Light (Wire In) Model 1285

I bought three of these alarms locally.

These alarms are powered primarily by your house wiring, and if power fails, by 9v batteries. If you only have one alarm, you only need a hot & neutral (black & white wires, plus ground) in a ceiling box. To interconnect two or more alarms, you'll need 14/3 or 12/3 cable (black, white, red, and a ground wire) from the first alarm to the last. The included quick connect wiring harness's female jack has black, white, & red pigtails that connect to your house wiring. The pigtail's jack connects to the back of the alarm, so it's easy to remove or replace an alarm if needed. If any alarm in the "system" is activated, the red wire goes hot from that alarm, activating all interconnected alarms. There are 5 interconnected alarms in a house we're remodeling, and when set off (as a test), it's ear-splitting racket, designed to wake you from a deep sleep.

If your house has 14/2 or 12/2 wire (versus 3 conductor) to the alarm's ceiling box, this product will still work, except for the interconnecting feature. I.e., an activated alarm won't activate the other alarms.

This model comes with two 9 volt batteries, for continued protection if 110v power drops. The batteries are a royal pain in the keister to replace. Step 1, you'll need a ladder to reach the alarm. Step 2, unscrew (1/4 turn) the unit from its base plate, and lower it from the ceiling to access the back. (It's actually easier to unplug the alarm, and work on the alarm on your kitchen table.) Step 3, pry open the tiny battery door, pop the old batteries out, and install new batteries while slipping a small flip-switch behind each battery. (These switches tell the unit that a battery is installed.) Step 4, screw the alarm to the ceiling base plate. Step 5, put the ladder away.

If you buy this product, test it with the batteries only, before installing. If there is no low-battery chirp, the alarm is probably OK. But, keep the receipt, box, etc., in case it chirps with new batteries, like one of mine did.

I also bought a newer model Kiddie 120v smoke detector w/battery backup, the model i2060. That unit needs only one 9v battery, and it couldn't be easier or faster to replace. I.e., without removing the alarm from it's base plate, press the battery cover door on the unit's front. A hinged door opens allowing you to slide the old battery out, replace it, and shut the door. Since I can reach 8' ceilings without a ladder, I can replace the i2060 battery in under 5 seconds!

Unless you need the "exit light" feature, my advice is to buy one of the newer and better models, such as the i2060; where it only needs one battery and it's simple to replace.