Quck answer
To change the battery on a First Alert CO Alarm, follow these steps:
1. Locate the battery compartment on the back of the alarm.
2. Remove the old battery from the compartment.
3. Insert a new, fully charged battery into the compartment, making sure the positive and negative ends are aligned correctly.
4. Close the battery compartment securely.
5. Test the alarm to ensure it is working properly by pressing the test button.
6. If the alarm does not sound, double-check the battery installation and try again.
7. Remember to replace the battery every 6-12 months to ensure the alarm’s effectiveness in detecting carbon monoxide.
Similar to a smoke alarm that runs on batteries, a carbon monoxide alarm also needs fresh batteries occasionally. First Alert provides various battery-powered carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Most First Alert CO alarms, including plug-in models with battery backup, require either AA or 9-volt batteries, just like the company’s battery-powered smoke alarms.
When to Change Batteries
If you hear a chirping sound coming from your CO alarm, it means it’s time to replace the batteries. First Alert CO alarms chirp every 30 to 60 seconds when the batteries are running low.
Even if the batteries in your alarm are not low, it’s recommended to change them once a year. Change all the batteries in your battery-powered alarms on the same day, such as during the springtime when the time changes, to make it easier to remember when they were last changed. If you have multiple battery-powered smoke and CO alarms in your house, keep a list of all of them and check them off the list when you replace the batteries.
Locating the Battery Compartment
The battery type and the location of the battery compartment vary across different models of First Alert CO alarms. For example, CO alarms in First Alert’s 400 or 605 series, which have a rounded rectangle shape, have a battery compartment at the back of the device. On the other hand, plug-in models with battery backup, like the First Alert CO615, have a battery compartment accessible from the front. First Alert’s combination smoke and CO alarms, such as the SCO7, have a battery compartment that can be pulled out from the side of the device, making it convenient to replace batteries without temporarily removing the detector.
Since it can be challenging to determine the location of the battery compartment on a ceiling-mounted CO alarm without a ladder, keep the manual for each alarm handy for reference. Write down the location of the battery compartment and the types of batteries required for each device on the front or back page of the manual or on a separate sheet of paper that lists all the battery-powered alarms in your home. This will also make it easier to know in advance how many batteries to buy and which ones.
Replacing the Batteries
Climb a ladder and locate the battery compartment on the CO alarm. If the compartment is at the back of the device, you will need to remove the alarm to access the batteries. Most alarms can be easily removed by sliding them forward or backward to disengage the mounting screws that hold them in place. Open the battery compartment by pushing the locking tab in towards the cover. Depending on the model, this action may completely remove the cover or allow you to open it like a door or a pivoting drawer.
Take note of the type of batteries inside the device and replace them with the exact same type, typically AA or 9-volt. It is advisable to use name-brand, high-quality batteries. Alkaline batteries are often a good choice. When using AA batteries, ensure that the positive and negative ends are aligned correctly as indicated inside the battery compartment. The positive side is the top end with the pointy nub, while the negative side is the bottom end. With a 9-volt battery, make sure the posts and caps click into place in their proper locations on the alarm wiring.
After you have closed the battery compartment, press the “test” button on the alarm. When you do this, it should make a chirping sound. The specific model that you have may then follow up with a series of beeps, a short pause, and then another series of beeps. At the same time, the alarm light will turn on. This sequence of sounds and lights is meant to simulate what you would hear and see if the alarm detected the presence of carbon monoxide. If the alarm does not make any chirping sounds or beeps, you should double-check that the batteries are installed correctly. If they are, then you may need to replace them with fresh batteries. It is important that the test feature works properly so that the detector can function correctly.
