Smoke Alarm Replacement - Aico Ei141

[Sn!pe]

We have two interconnected Aico Ei141 mains smoke alarms in hallway
and landing. They began chirping as if they need backup battery
replacement so I have taken them down. On inspection I find that
the alarms expired in 2020.

The Aico site says that the Ei141 alarm is discontinued and the
model Ei146e is a suitable replacement.

Question: Does the Ei146e fit the same baseplate as the Ei141?
Is it compatible with the existing one or does it require its own
baseplate?

If it's a direct plug and play replacement I'll DIY it, but I'm not
competent to change the baseplate and so would need to find a trained
person; please advise.

--
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<https://youtu.be/_kqytf31a8E>

[Colin Bignell]

On 16/03/2023 22:54, Sn!pe wrote:
> We have two interconnected Aico Ei141 mains smoke alarms in hallway
> and landing. They began chirping as if they need backup battery
> replacement so I have taken them down. On inspection I find that
> the alarms expired in 2020.
>
> The Aico site says that the Ei141 alarm is discontinued and the
> model Ei146e is a suitable replacement.
>
> Question: Does the Ei146e fit the same baseplate as the Ei141?
> Is it compatible with the existing one or does it require its own
> baseplate?
>
> If it's a direct plug and play replacement I'll DIY it, but I'm not
> competent to change the baseplate and so would need to find a trained
> person; please advise.
>

Have you tried asking the manufacturer? They really ought to know the
answer.

--
Colin Bignell

[John Rumm]

On 16/03/2023 22:54, Sn!pe wrote:

> We have two interconnected Aico Ei141 mains smoke alarms in hallway
> and landing. They began chirping as if they need backup battery
> replacement so I have taken them down. On inspection I find that
> the alarms expired in 2020.
>
> The Aico site says that the Ei141 alarm is discontinued and the
> model Ei146e is a suitable replacement.
>
> Question: Does the Ei146e fit the same baseplate as the Ei141?
> Is it compatible with the existing one or does it require its own
> baseplate?

At the start of Jan 22, I bought 3 x El 141RC and 1 x El146E to replace
the previous set of alarms (166, and 161) that I installed > 10 years
ago. They all went onto the existing base plates. So I would expect the
next generation will also.

> If it's a direct plug and play replacement I'll DIY it, but I'm not
> competent to change the baseplate and so would need to find a trained
> person; please advise.

(A like for like swap of the base plate is pretty straight forward even
if they did need changing - if you wan wire a plug - you could do one of
those).

The most tricky bit is getting the screwdriver poked into the right
place to separate the alarm from its base - they kind of lock in place,
and you need to spring a plastic clip to be able to slide them off.


--
Cheers,

John.

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[Sn!pe]

John Rumm <see.my.s...@nowhere.null> wrote:

> On 16/03/2023 22:54, Sn!pe wrote:
> > We have two interconnected Aico Ei141 mains smoke alarms in hallway
> > and landing. They began chirping as if they need backup battery
> > replacement so I have taken them down. On inspection I find that
> > the alarms expired in 2020.
> >
> > The Aico site says that the Ei141 alarm is discontinued and the
> > model Ei146e is a suitable replacement.
> >
> > Question: Does the Ei146e fit the same baseplate as the Ei141?
> > Is it compatible with the existing one or does it require its own
> > baseplate?
>
> At the start of Jan 22, I bought 3 x El 141RC and 1 x El146E to replace
> the previous set of alarms (166, and 161) that I installed > 10 years
> ago. They all went onto the existing base plates. So I would expect the
> next generation will also.
>

Thank you, John, that's very encouraging, I think I'll take a punt on
it. If it turns out that the new ones need their own baseplate I can
always get them fitted.

> > If it's a direct plug and play replacement I'll DIY it, but I'm not
> > competent to change the baseplate and so would need to find a trained
> > person; please advise.
>
> (A like for like swap of the base plate is pretty straight forward even
> if they did need changing - if you wan wire a plug - you could do one of
> those).
>
> The most tricky bit is getting the screwdriver poked into the right
> place to separate the alarm from its base - they kind of lock in place,
> and you need to spring a plastic clip to be able to slide them off.
>

I have managed to separate the units from their baseplates but
being somewhat disabled, working on wiring overhead would
probably be beyond me. Thanks again.

[Sn!pe]

Thanks for your reply, Colin. I naturally turned to uk.d-i-y first as
it's the fount of all knowledge. If this fine group lets me down I will
certainly ask Aico when they reopen tomorrow.

[Andy Burns]

Colin Bignell wrote:

> Sn!pe wrote:
>
>> We have two interconnected Aico Ei141 mains smoke alarms in hallway
>> and landing.
>

> Have you tried asking the manufacturer?

I'm sure Adam will be along before too long, but what I can see at a
retailer says ...

"If you need to replace an Ei141, the Ei146e which uses optical
smoke detection is 100% compatible with your existing base plate
and alarm system. This means you don't need to spend a penny on
an electrician or worry about the disruption of rewiring works."

<https://www.safelincs.co.uk/ei141-replacement-smoke-alarm>

No standing on the bannister rail to change it ...

[Colin Bignell]

If you ask a manufacturer about one of their products. you make a
purchase based upon that information and it subsequently turns out to be
wrong, you should, at the very least, be able to get your money back.
Posts on uk.d-i-y carry no such safeguard.

--
Colin Bignell

[Sn!pe]

Excellent, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. I'd had a good long
rummage through the Aico site but I obviously missed that. Ta, Andy.

[John Rumm]

On 17/03/2023 00:53, Sn!pe wrote:

To be fair I am not a fan of working on stuff overhead - mainly because
I find it difficult to see what I am doing unless I take dedicated
reading glasses!

[Brian Gaff]

A different alarm, but a while ago I bought one smoke alarm from Amazon
which had a particular speck, and stated that it had a replaceable battery.
About 6 months later, I bought two more at the same price. I did not check
that well, as I thought they were the same, but although they have the same
name these are self contained with no replaceable battery but claim five to7
years of life and bleep when they expire. We shall just have to see I
suppose, but it seems that the old clause you see about specification might
change without notice is actually there for a reason.
Brian

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[alan_m]

On 17/03/2023 13:32, Brian Gaff wrote:
> A different alarm, but a while ago I bought one smoke alarm from Amazon
> which had a particular speck, and stated that it had a replaceable battery.
> About 6 months later, I bought two more at the same price. I did not check
> that well, as I thought they were the same, but although they have the same
> name these are self contained with no replaceable battery but claim five to7
> years of life and bleep when they expire. We shall just have to see I
> suppose, but it seems that the old clause you see about specification might
> change without notice is actually there for a reason.

They often just have a plastic weld rivet holding down an internal
battery cover - easily drilled out.

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[John Rumm]

With some the bundled battery is supposed to last for the life of the
sensor - so not much point in changing the battery. (the sensors are
only supposed to be good for 10 years)

[Sn!pe]

All done and dusted: new units installed on old baseplates
and all working fine. Thanks to everyone who responded.

[Sargan]

On 16/03/2023 22:54, Sn!pe wrote:

> We have two interconnected Aico Ei141 mains smoke alarms in hallway
> and landing. They began chirping as if they need backup battery
> replacement so I have taken them down. On inspection I find that
> the alarms expired in 2020.
>
> The Aico site says that the Ei141 alarm is discontinued and the
> model Ei146e is a suitable replacement.
>
> Question: Does the Ei146e fit the same baseplate as the Ei141?
> Is it compatible with the existing one or does it require its own
> baseplate?
>
> If it's a direct plug and play replacement I'll DIY it, but I'm not
> competent to change the baseplate and so would need to find a trained
> person; please advise.
>

ask Aico is safest option.

I had to replace 4 x Aico alarms due to expiry date .... all had to
have new bases.

[ARW]

Could you give the model number of what you swapped?

AFAIK only the CO detectors have changed bases whilst I have been
fitting them.

[Alan Lee]

On 23/03/2023 19:47, ARW wrote:
> AFAIK only the CO detectors have changed bases whilst I have been
> fitting them.

I fitted a heat detector today in an old rented house. Batten light
fitting in the kitchen, took the cover off, great stuff, 3 cables (2x
T+E, and 1 single) going to it, so I can get a permanent live from it.
Fitted it, turned on the power, nothing at the head.
Got the volt tester out, power at the light fitting, but nothing on the
3 reds in the centre terminals.
A bit of head scratching then ensued. Then it dawned on me, the middle
terminals were a convenient junction for the strappers for the 2 way
switching. FFS.
So I've got to go back and sort out a permanent from somewhere.
Never seen that before.
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[ARW]

On 23/03/2023 19:56, Alan Lee wrote:

> So I've got to go back and sort out a permanent from somewhere.
> Never seen that before.

You should be able to alter the light switch

[Tony Green]

Just FYI/others.

I just ordered and replaced 3 x Aico Ei141 with the Aico Ei146e
Fitted seamlessly into existing baseplates and on testing interconnected alarms feature fully working.
:)