Napco PC-Preset

[Allan Waghalter]

Because of Hurricane Ike, most of my customers were without power for 2 to 3
weeks. Of course the batteries went down and the clock settings were lost
which causes the panels to not know when to send a test signal. I used
PC-Preset to access about 100 accounts overnight. I set it up to read the
event log. Napco automatically adjusts time when you connect to it so I was
hoping to set the time and be able to see the log to determine if their
batteries had restored. My preference would have been to simply read the
status... and save it. Unless I did something wrong, the program did not
save the event logs it read. It did set the time. I have a list of who I
was able to connect with and who I couldn't that will allow me to determine
further problems.

Napco technical was of very little help on this issue as they seldom have
anyone to ask about PC-Preset (Windows Version). It was terribly tedious to
build the list. Had to be done one account at a time and it would jump back
to the beginning after each account was put on the action list. Any ideas
on how to do this better? I have almost 800 more residential customers that
I would like to auto set their time and be able to see if their batteries
have failed.

Amazingly, most of the batteries in all of my systems have restored
themselves. If they were older than 2005, they may not have restored. Some
Interstate batteries as new as 2006 also failed to re-charge.

Regards,
Allan

 

[Jim]

Because of Hurricane Ike, most of my customers were without power for 2 to 3
weeks. �Of course the batteries went down and the clock settings were lost
which causes the panels to not know when to send a test signal. �I used
PC-Preset to access about 100 accounts overnight. �I set it up toread the
event log. �Napco automatically adjusts time when you connect to it so I was
hoping to set the time and be able to see the log to determine if their
batteries had restored. �My preference would have been to simply read the
status... and save it. � Unless I did something wrong, the program did not
save the event logs it read. �It did set the time. �I have a list of who I
was able to connect with and who I couldn't that will allow me to determine
further problems.

Napco technical was of very little help on this issue as they seldom have
anyone to ask about PC-Preset (Windows Version). �It was terriblytedious to
build the list. �Had to be done one account at a time and it would jump back
to the beginning after each account was put on the action list. �Any ideas
on how to do this better? �I have almost 800 more residential customers that
I would like to auto set their time and be able to see if their batteries
have failed.

Amazingly, most of the batteries in all of my systems have restored
themselves. �If they were older than 2005, they may not have restored. �Some
Interstate batteries as new as 2006 also failed to re-charge.

Regards,
Allan

PC preset is a dinosaur that no one uses. With what little I've fooled
around with it, it's cumbersome to say the least.

Genisis batteries are the best.

 

[Crash Gordon]

Genesis...going down-hill me thinks...prices going up...and they seem to be
wearing out sooner.
Are they made in Nam now? or still China?



--
**Crash Gordon**

 

[Jim]

Genesis...going down-hill me thinks...prices going up...and they seem to be
wearing out sooner.
Are they made in Nam now? or still China?

Idono.

Haven't noticed them going any sooner but I really don't keep close/
close watch on them. I've used them for years and didn't follow ADI's
push to use Power Sonic(?) because I'd had problems with them, years
ago. I put them in and mark the date on them. I'm pulling batteries
now from about 2002/3 and a few from earler .... so I don't think
that's sooner than usual. I'd just as soon stick with whats worked in
the past and pay the price (which still isn't bad considering I charge
$40.00 for them.)

Whenever I see them at shows and some of the local expos, they always
say that they're maintaining the quality ......... but .... what else
would they say?

 

[Crash Gordon]

Welp...I do keep track of battery changes...and have for 25 years.

We used to get almost 5 years with Yuasa, then about 12 or so years ago that
was down to 3 (almost to the day - I could predict when a certain panel
would need a new batt), then since abt Jan we've only been getting 2 years
on a heavy system maybe 2.5 on a lite system.

I don't even bother with Ultratech or Powersonic anymore since they seem to
swell up like balloons after 3 years too.

Pisses me off since the price has almost doubled in a little over a year.


--
**Crash Gordon**

 

[Jim]

Welp...I do keep track of battery changes...and have for 25 years.

We used to get almost 5 years with Yuasa, then about 12 or so years ago that
was down to 3 (almost to the day - I could predict when a certain panel
would need a new batt), then since abt Jan we've only been getting 2 years
on a heavy system maybe 2.5 on a lite system.

I don't even bother with Ultratech or Powersonic anymore since they seem to
swell up like balloons after 3 years too.

Pisses me off since the price has almost doubled in a little over a year.

Wow! Haven't had any with that short a life span. Are you in warm
climate? Even in the summer around here, most people either have air
conditioning or the basements are cool, so that could be a factor.

And yes ............. on the Powersonic and Ultratech.
Garbage!!!!!!!!!

So, even though I'm paying more, I'm still getting the best that I
know of. Some people say the Elk batteries are pretty good but ......
ummmmm ..... I doknow what their doing. I don't know who's private
labling for them ... From the looks of the batteries, it's not
Genisis, so if it's not them and it's Ultratech or Powersonic I don't
know how they could be better than Geneisis, And I don't know who else
it could be. I'd imagine that if it weren't one of the above, that the
distributors would be carrying the main line..... instead of the Elk
branded batteries.

 

[Crash Gordon]

Yes, HOT climate, but it's still relative as all my data has been here.

I've even installed computer fans on some boxes (little ones that fit over
existing knockouts above panel pwr supply heat sink)...works great but still
getting 2-3 years only.

Tried a couple of Elks but get same results...actually one puffed up like a
balloon.


--
**Crash Gordon**

 

[Bob Worthy]

I have had good luck with the Interstate battery. I started using them after
Yuasa changed. I got away from Powersonic years ago when they would turn
into huge basketballs. They might all be made by the same few companies and
private labeled as far as I know. That seems to be the way things are now.
I am sure Elk isn't in the battery manufacturing business.

 

[Frank Olson]

I have had good luck with the Interstate battery. I started using them after
Yuasa changed. I got away from Powersonic years ago when they would turn
into huge basketballs. They might all be made by the same few companies and
private labeled as far as I know. That seems to be the way things are now.
I am sure Elk isn't in the battery manufacturing business.

We've had really good success with Sota batteries. I've had six years
out of a couple of 12v 7AH in an emergency light pack (just behind the
counter). We routinely change them out every four years in
security/fire alarm panels (whether they need to be to or not).

Don't know who distributes them down your way though.

 

[Allan Waghalter]

Code here requires batteries in fire alarm systems to be changed when they
exceed 3 years from date of manufacture...

 

[Frank Olson]

Code here requires batteries in fire alarm systems to be changed when they
exceed 3 years from date of manufacture...

No such "code" here... I'd be interested in the "chapter" and "verse"
though, Allan.