Emergency Alarms

[LeMarchand]

One of my sites has an alarm system that consists of a handset per class with a simple "squeeze in emergency" operation that then sets off an alarm on a panel in the office to identify where to send help. It's been in years and the batteries have failed on many of the handsets. I attempted to solder a replacement in (the batteries do say not to do this!), but I'm frankly rubbish at it and didn't have any luck (and nor did the governor who tried). The system is (of course) no longer available (2nd hand handsets seem to be around £100), so a replacement is needed.

 

We were going to look at the Panic Alarm system someone had mentioned on another thread, but has anyone got any other suggestions?

 

Another idea was to get walkie talkies, but I can't help but feel that I'm missing a potential problem with that idea.

[Andrew_C]

Another idea was to get walkie talkies, but I can't help but feel that I'm missing a potential problem with that idea.

The complete inability of some to work such a simple device? Further, you would still have trouble with batteries somewhere down the line.

 

Seriously, I'd be inclined to see if there isn't a local TV repairman type who would look at refurbishing the handsets.v Or someone in a D&T department maybe?

[LeMarchand]

The complete inability of some to work such a simple device? Further, you would still have trouble with batteries somewhere down the line

 

LOL. We were thinking of keeping the chargers in the office and collecting the sets in each night and giving them out with the registers in the morning.

 

Seriously, I'd be inclined to see if there isn't a local TV repairman type who would look at refurbishing the handsets.v Or someone in a D&T department maybe?

 

Primary, so no D&T dept; but I might take a handset along to the local home electrics repair place on Saturday.

Edited February 1, 2011 by LeMarchand
Typo

[LeMarchand]

We managed to find a local store that would solder in the batteries - for future reference, apparently a different type of solder is best to solder to aluminium batteries.

 

I did contact MDH, as recommended elsewhere on here and they were extremely helpful and "got" what was needed immediately. Cost wasn't too bad, but obviously more than £4/unit for the battery and £3.60 for each to be soldered in. If anyone is looking at this sort of thing it'd be worth your time to give them a ring.