A smoke detector in the hallway outside the laundry closet gives an intermittant chirp after the electric clothes dryer has been running for 30 mins or so.
The smoke detector is about a month old. It is hard wired with a battery backup. It is not linked to any other detectors. Test button works fine.
Don’t smell any smoke, is this a lint issue? If the dryer wasn’t venting correctly, would the lint particles cause the detector to chirp?
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Replies
Chirping is usually a problem with the detector (or its battery). Or a cricket has gotten in there.
I would have suspected the new detector, but as far as I know it only does it after the dryer has been on a while. Obviously they aren't on the same circuit.
If need be, I will rip it out and replace it (the detector), but my gut reaction was that it was something the dryer was putting off.
jt8
I believe that what you are describing may be the result of static electricity in the air from the clothes tumbling. I have had weird problems in the past with the smoke alarms acting up when lightening was close at hand.
Does the dryer cause the detector to get warm?
If it's lint or moisture in the form of steam the alarm would sound instead of chirp.
Must be the cricket.
Since chirping is indicative normally of a weak battery, i would suspect power supply problems. Loose connection or that breaker is off or never got hooked up, and the battery backup is carrying the show, but not for long.
Since this is only right after using mechanical equipment nearby, I tend to think that a loose connection wiggles looser from the vibrations.
There's my two cents.
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I know the breaker was switched back on, cuz that circuit controlled the overhead ceiling fan in the LR.
When I'm over there next, I'll check the connections. That was basically the problem with the old one. The stab-in wires wouldn't stay put. The new detector had come with a small wiring harness. You hardwire to that (complete with nuts), and then plug it into the detector.
jt8
clean the sensor head and change the battery..
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How long does it keep chirping after the dryer is done?
Does the area get much warmer when the dryer is running? You could test to see if it's a thermal problem py putting a lamp under it. Test to see if it's a vibration problem by running the dryer with no heat, air dry only. Test to see if it's something emitted by the clothes by running the dryer empty.
Edited 1/12/2005 6:21 pm ET by Uncle Dunc
Moisture may have corroded the battery contacts, wire nuts, or another loose connection inside, or something may be simply loose. If a new battery solves the problem for a while, I'd suspect that there's something wrong with 120 volt power that's causing the detector to run on the battery only and wearing it down fast.
I doubt it's lint. The rest of the room isn't much dustier than elsewhere in the house, is it? A long shot would be that the hole in the ceiling where the wire comes through may not be stuffed with insulation and you are getting a draft up through the detector into the attic. It wouldn't be my first guess, but easy enough to rule out.
John ,
Ususally the smoke detector for an area near a cloths drier is different from the average detector. It is designed to notice a slow smoldering fire before you see smoke if I remember correctly (lint fire). There may be something that is giving off the chemical that it is looking for. It may be doing it's job. I am sure there is someone on this forum that knows more about it.
T
1) if you don't have a manual, go to the manufacturer's website and find out exactly what the slow chirp alarm means. They may even have a trouble-shoting guide and a techie you can email for help.
2) one possibility not mentioned is that the dryer is starving the detector for current or voltage after its (dryer's) internal and external wiring gets quite hot.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
There's likely an 800 number on the back too. Might give that a try.
I have found several chirping on a bunch of final inspections and wrote them up to fix. Normally cleaning and a "good" battery fixes them. Put a duracell in and check the points for power.
On occasion its a faulty unit. They make good frisbees to the dumpster.
Tim Mooney
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll probably get by there this weekend and try the various fixes.
jt8