Had a 2am callout for a false alarm at a new install in Fort Collins last week. The cause was something so simple I almost missed it.

It was a full system, motion sensors, contacts, glass breaks, the works. The homeowner was understandably upset. I checked the panel log, tested the usual suspects, and was about to start pulling wire runs when I noticed the little plastic shipping tab was still in the battery compartment of the main keypad. It was preventing the backup battery from seating fully, causing a low battery signal that the panel interpreted as a tamper. I felt like a rookie. I've been doing this for twelve years. It just goes to show, no matter how many systems you've put in, you can still get tripped up by the basics. How often do you guys do a final 'idiot check' on the small stuff before you call a job complete?

2 comments

2 Comments

elliot_lane962mo ago

Wait, the shipping tab was still in the battery slot after a full install? That's wild, man. I'd be kicking myself for days over that one. It's crazy how the panel reads that as a tamper, but I guess it makes sense if the battery isn't in right. You're totally right though, a final walk-through for the dumb stuff saves so many callbacks.

henrys602mo ago

Reminds me of my buddy who, like @elliot_lane96 said, found the same tab after a week of weird tamper signals.