Re: What smokes should I use? Not sentrol, right?

[Robert L Bass <sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 30 Jul 2005 13:15:09 -0700, johnfofawn@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I was going to buy some Sentrol smokes for my house, but then I read
> about some recalls on the model I was going to buy.
>
> What brand and model should I buy? I have a Napco GEM-P9600 panel.
>
> Should I buy 2-wire or 4-wire? The panel supports both. What's the
> best?
>
> Thanks,
> John

Hi John,

There are several good brands from which to choose.  Napco makes
their own smoke detectors and they seem to perform well enough.
I've sold several hundred of them to DIYewrs and so far none have
been returned for warranty service.

ESL has had a few recalls though the current models are probably
stable enough.  Every manufacturewr has occasional recalls.

System Sensor is another popular line.  I've sold literally
thousands of their 2- and 4-wire smoke detectors over the years.
I've also installed and serviced a many more.  I like their
appearance -- lower profile and less industrial looking than
Napco and Edwards IMO.

Performance differences among the various major brands are minor.
You can pretty much make your choice based on price and
appearance.

The P9600 can handle up to ten 2-wire smoke detectors on each of
the first eight zones.  I prefer 2-wire smokes.  They're simpler
to wire since no power supervision relay needs to be installed at
the end of each zone like with 4-wire models.  Also, DIYers
sometimes mistakenly homerun the smoke detector cables.  If the
cables are 4-wire it's a snap to solve the problem with 2-wire
smokes.

Some years ago one of the other old-timers in this newsgroup
expressed concern about 2-wire smokes remaining compatible with
future control panels.  However, almost all new panel models now
support 2-wire.  It appears that his concerns were unfounded.


--

Regards,
Robert L Bass
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com/category_271.htm