British Gas DCS Alarm Sytem kaput

[Top-Cat]

I moved into a house fitted with a British Gas alarm with no manuals and no interest from British Gas despite several calls. I do however have the passcode. I have managed to identify the control panel as DSC LCD 5500(Z) and the circuit board in the cupboard says DSC VA00?. It all worked fine until the dispaly showed 'Main battery low' then the whole system went dead - no lights nothing. I have now replaced the battery but it's all dead, no lights nada. :cry:

Please can anyone advise how to bring it back to life? Are there any secret reset switches?

[Top-Cat]

No replies :cry: it seems I'm off topic, does anyone have any suggestions where I should post my question?

Thanks

[toscal]

Have you checked that the battery is charging. And is it getting a mains supply.
You could always try googling to see what comes up.

[FrankMcAlinden]

Hi

Have you got the mains supply going to it..usually via a 16v ac plug pak ???

Are there any onboard fuses that might have blown ???

Frank

[ianh100]

Hi, I have one of these I bought on Ebay a while back. I have the engineers manuals and master code, also a spare main board and keyboard. drop me a line off list, I am sure i can help.

Regards
Ian

[Top-Cat]

I know there's mains going to it - I checked the 3A fuse in the mains supply and the transformer is warm. I can't see any onboard fuses.

Ian sounds like you may have the answer I will follow up off list.

Thanks everyone for your replies and a Happy new year to you all.

[graym]

For my sins i was an alarm engineer for bg.if i can be of any help i would need builder and site location.
regards

[Top-Cat]

Hi Graym
Thanks for the offer of help but I'm a bit confused by builder & site location? What sort of builder, the alarm was installed post build? Do you mean where the alarm is sited or where the house is?

Sorry if I'm being dumb ops:

[graym]

hello
sorry i mis read your first message (bg fitted a huge amount on new build sites)
the lcd 5500z is the key pad version which is of no great use to you.
"main battery fail" sounds like the 12v 7ah battery has gone in the control end station(metal box)unless you have wire free pirs.
to change battery:-
1 open metal box (will probably go into alarm!!!!! enter your code to stop sounder
2 turn off mains power via fused spur
3 connect new battery 12v 7ah (cost £16.00 approx)and put mains back on
4 close door of metal box and fix securely with screws if not fitted with a lock
5 go to key pad and enter *6 then enter your code
6 scroll to option time & date using <> keys press * then enter the correct time and date
7 press# key twice
system should have green light on key pad.
IF NOT to check system troubles press * 2
wow and that was the short version,
hope this helps

[Top-Cat]

Hi Graym

I only wish I'd had your instructions when it all started to go wrong. I didn't get around to replacing the battery until everything had gone dead, there were no flashing in the wired PIRs and no display on the control panel. I replaced the battery without turning off the mains - presumably my big mistake - and although I know the battery is charged there is still no display and no PIRs. I also know there's mains as the transformer is warm. I don't see how to enter a code as the keypad doesn't respond. Or should I ignore that problem and press keys instructions until it responds?

I really appreciate you helping like this - only hope I'm not past help!

Thanks
Top Cat