Hired-Hand Emergency Back-Up and Alarms: Alert Alarm - Manual (Page 12)

Part No. 4801- 5085 Rev 5-01 Farm Hand Alert Alarm 10
9. Recommendations
It is important to note the Hired Hand temperature sensors are fabricated using thermistors and are
not interchangeable with sensors commonly used on controllers from other manufacturers. The three
temperature sensors may be installed in a variety of ways. It is recommended that a sensor be located
high enough from the floor so that livestock or poultry can not peck at it. It is also essential that the
sensor not be hung in front of heaters, fans or other devices that would cause false readings. If a
sensor is to be run from one building to another, it is recommended that the connection be made with
underground-rated wire buried between the two structures. This recommendation is to reduce the
effects of lightning.
Once again, the temperature sensors should be dropped as low in the house as possible while still
being out of reach of the livestock or poultry. And, as discussed earlier, it is recommended that the
operator press the Test button for ten to fifteen seconds at least twice a week to verify the operation
of the alarm as well as to condition the livestock or poultry to the sound of the siren.
10. Trouble-Shooting Your Alarm
Low Battery
If the battery in the Alert Alarm gets down to around 10.6 volts, the Low Battery alarm condition will
be active. This is very common if the alarm has sounded for some time. If the Low Battery alarm is
active, the Alarm should be set so that no alarm condition exists, and the battery allowed to recharge.
This may require the operator to disconnect the siren to allow the battery to build back up. If
recharging doesn’t fix the problem, then the battery must be replaced. Contact your nearest Hired-
Hand dealer for a replacement.
Power Out
The Power Out alarm can occur in two cases. One is when the power has been out for more than one
minute. The other situation could be caused by the 120VAC 2 amp fuse being blown. If the Power
Out alarm condition is active, and you find that there is power present at the outlet where the alarm is
plugged in, then you should check the fuses. See the paragraph below on “Resetting the Fuses”.
No Siren at Test
If the siren fails to sound when the test button is pressed, several conditions could exist. First, the
battery fuse could be blown. See the following paragraph on “Resetting the Fuses”. Secondly, the
battery could be disconnected or depleted. Third, the siren itself could be bad. Check for 12VDC at
the siren leads. And, of course, there could be a bad connection somewhere in the siren circuit.
Resetting the 2 Amp Fuses
There are two re-settable fuses in the Alert Alarm on the circuit board. One is the 2 Amp fuse (F1)
for the AC power. The other is a 2 Amp fuse (F2) in the Alarm circuit. To reset these fuses, remove
the 120VAC power for approximately 30 seconds, then reapply power. This should reset the fuses.
Temperature Sensors Disconnected
If the temperature Sensors become disconnected or damaged, the Display Indicator for that sensor
will show a line of four bars. This problem should be corrected before any attempt to calibrate the
sensor is made.
Temperature Sensors Out of Calibration
If the operator believes that the temperature sensors are not reading correctly, the following steps
should be followed: Obtain a thermometer that is known to be accurate. Place this thermometer next
to the temperature sensor for at least 10 minutes. Insure that there are no strong breezes or winds
blowing on the thermometer and the sensor being calibrated. Note the temperature from the
thermometer and use this reading to calibrate the sensor as described in Section 8.3 of this manual.