Telular Digital TG-1

[kpierce]

Hello:
My alarm went off early Sunday morning for no apparent reason. I have a DSC PC5508Z panel and now have the Trouble light on. When I press *2 then Zone 3 lights up. Which from what I can tell means the system is not communicating with the monitoring center.

I have tested the system and the monitoring company says they are not receiving a signal.

So on further investigation I see there are no lights on the cellular box (next to the alarm box). I have a Telular Digital TG-1. I have replaced the transformer and still no luck.

I opened the Telular and see it has a battery inside it with the model number: CP12-0.8 from CooPower. Seem to be about $20 to replace.

So I am looking for a little guidance on what do try next.
1. Is the cell unit 'dead'?
2. Should I try getting a new battery?
3. Should I punt and just have the monitoring company come out and fix the unit?

Any guidance is very much appreciated.

thanks
kpierce

[DEL Installations]

I would further troubleshoot using a DMM to verify the transformer and wiring from the transformer. You can also try disconnecting the battery to verify a bad battery is not dragging the Telular down.

I would be more concerned as to why the company did not connect the STC relay to the panel to generate a trouble condition at the keypad, rather than wait for a FTC condition to generate the trouble.

[kpierce]

Thank you for the quick response.

Can you tell me what a DMM is an how I would go about testing?

I assume your other option stated is to remove the battery and then plug in the unit. This would by pass a potientially bad battery, is that correct?

I also don't know what STC and FTC are, I am a newbie.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

thanks

[dilligaff]

A Dmm is a digital multi meter.

The first thing you should check is the wires from the transformer to see if you have AC power ( about 16-18 volts ) from the transformer. If you don't have power check the outlet that the transformer is plugged into for 120 VAC power. I have found a power failure caused by something as simple as a blown circuit breaker or a tripped GFCI outlet.

[kpierce]

Thank you, I have done that and plugged it into another outlet next to the alarm system outlet and it still does not work.

I bought a new transformer that has a light on it, and it lights up so I have to assume that the transformer is not the problem.

Any other steps I can try?

thanks
kp.

[dilligaff]

If you have AC voltage at the transformer terminals of the TG-1 and no lights on the TG-1 you probably have a bad TG-1

[DEL Installations]

You need to verify a couple of things as a transformer indicator light isn't an accurate test.

You need to verify you are receiving power at the unit itself, using a meter. Also, doing such with the battery disconnected.

The panel should've shown a trouble condition far eariler than a failed communication attempt, as the TG1 has a trouble relay that is supposed to be connected to a supervisiory zone on the panel so it indicates a trouble with the cellular prior to a failed communications attempt.

[devildog88]

Just a tid bit of information.  If you have to have the unit replaced, make sure you request the 3G version.  Even though standard digital is still functional, in the next couple of years telular will be phasing out standard digital.  I know in the commercial models there is no price difference, so you may want to ask for this, that way your cell back up is the most current.