Fire-Lite Alarms - FAQs - Power Supplies

How do I know if a remote battery charger can be used with a particular control panel?

To use a remote battery charger, you have to be able to disable the control panel's onboard battery charger.

Refer to the panel manual for specific information. http://www.firelite.com/documentation/manuals.html

Getting a "No Bat" message with batteries connected to the panel?

A "Lo Bat" message is generated when the battery voltage drops below 20.4 volts.

Connecting two sets of batteries to double the amp-hours

On a 24 VDC control panel, you normally use two 12-volt batteries connected in series. To double the amp-hour capacity of your secondary power source, you have to connect two sets of series-connected batteries in parallel. This will double the amp-hours. However, before you do this, be advised of the following:

Battery Calculations

The data sheet for the notification appliances I want to use lists two alarm current draws - regulated and FWR. Which value do I use for battery calculations? My NAC supply is FWR.

Use the regulated current draw for your notification appliances because the battery is the perfect filter - it provides straight, clean DC. However, if your NAC supply is FWR (Full-Wave Rectified) and you are doing supply calculations to ensure that you do not overload the power supply in alarm while operating on AC, use the unfiltered current draw.

http://www.firelite.com/documentation/manuals.html

http://www.firelite.com/support/batterycalcs.html

How to test the charger output to see if the charger is working

Most questions of charger integrity stem from the existence of a trouble condition. The system indicates a battery trouble or display a "LO BAT" or "NO BAT" message. The vast majority of times, failing batteries are the cause of these troubles. Batteries have a limited life and must be replaced regularly.

The easiest and most useful way to test the charger functioning on any fire panel is to install a known good set of batteries in the system, let them charge up 24-30 hours, and then disconnect AC and run a load test.

Beyond this, there is no simple way to test the battery charger of a Fire-Lite control panel.

The MS-9600/MS-9600LS displays the charger output voltage in its Read Status function. Alternately, you can test if the charger is basically functioning by measuring the voltage across the batteries with a digital voltmeter (DVM). If the voltage fluctuates in the millivolt range (regardless of the actual value), the charger is functioning. This is because the output of the charger is pulsed (not steady DC).

FCPS-24F

How to configure the FCPS-24F with a Nonresettable Power Output

On the FCPS-24F, can I have two circuits activate notification appliances and the two remaining circuits supply a steady 24 volts?

All four circuits are factory set as Notification Appliance Circuits (NACs). Alternately, circuits 2 and 4 can be nonresettable power outputs. To change circuit 2 to a nonresettable power circuit, cut R175. To change circuit 4 to nonresettable, cut R176.

Can the inputs of an FCPS-24F be activated by a NAC circuit that has a System Sensor MDL module on it?

Yes, but the Synch signal will not be transferred from the inputs of the FCPS-24F to the outputs so the FCPS-24F NACs will not be synchronized. Furthermore, some distortion of the audible signal may occur, particularly with a steady DC NAC signal.

For full synchronization, install a slave MDL module on the outputs of the FCPS-24 and synchronize it with a master MDL module. However, do not daisy-chain the FCPS-24F outputs in this case. Note: The inputs on the FCPS-24F can be activated by 9-32 VDC filtered or unfiltered.

Alternately, consider the FCPS-2404 (4 amp/1 NAC) which will transparently transfer a synchronized signal from an MDL module though to its output.

Can I use a synchronization module with any manufacturer's notification appliance?

No. The notification appliances and the synchronization module(s) have to be specfically designed to work with each other. System Sensor, Wheelock and Gentex manufacture synchronization modules to work exclusively with their own appliances. Refer to each manufacturer for more information.

Part number for the Amp/Volt meter for the FCPS-24F

The part number for the Amp/Volt meter is MPM-4F. The meter mounts in the lower left-hand corner of the FCPS-24 cabinet and connects to the circuit board with a cable that is provided with the meter.

FCPS-24FS 6/8

Connecting Two or More Power Supplies in Sync

The Sync source Panel or first FCPS-24FS 6/8 in a series of 2 or more should be set as a Sync Generator or "Master." Use one of the output circuits off the "Master" FCPS-24FS 6/8 to trip the second power supply. The second power supply and all others after it will all be configured as "Sync Followers" or "Slaves".

Refer to the Applications Section the FCPS manual http://www.firelite.com/manuals/51883.pdf

Configure a Nonresettable Power Output

On the FCPS-24FS 6/8, can I have two circuits activate notification appliances and the two remaining circuits supply a steady 24 volts?

All four circuits are factory set as Notification Appliance Circuits (NACs). You can also use Split Alarm Mode, the auxiliary power from terminals 9 and 10, and feed them into terminals 7 and 8 observing the proper polarity. This will activate Outputs 3 and 4 continuously.

FCPS manual http://www.firelite.com/manuals/51883.pdf

Activating FCPS-24FS 6/8 Inputs by a NAC circuit connected to a System Sensor MDL Synch module

For the FCPS-24FS 6/8 to follow the sync signal, you must jumper the NAC input trigger to Sync In+ and Sync In - (jump terminals 3 to 1 & 4 to2 on TB4) and set Dip Switch 3 ON which makes the power supply a "Sync Follower" or "Slave." The outputs of the FCPS-24FS 6/8 NACs will now be synchronized with the circuit used to activate it.

Note: When using a NAC that is unfiltered, the outputs of the FCPS-24F S6/8 will sync with one another but may not sync with the synched circuit used to activate the power supply.

Also consider the FCPS-2404 (4 amp/1 NAC) which will transparently transfer a synchronized signal from an MDL module though to its output.

FCPS manual http://www.firelite.com/manuals/51883.pdf

Using a synchronization module with any manufacturer's notification appliance

Notification appliances and the synchronization module(s) must be designed specifically to work with each other. System Sensor, Wheelock, and Gentex manufacture synchronization modules to work exclusively with their own appliances. Refer to each manufacturer for more information.

Synchronize Gentex notification devices (horns, strobes, horn/strobes or mini-horns) with the outputs of an FCPS-24FS 6/8

The FCPS-24FS 6/8 uses the Gentex Commander 2 synchronization protocol. If the Gentex devices do not use this protocol, they may not operate properly. To correct this problem, disable the synchronization output of the FCPS-24FS 6/8 by setting dip switches 1 and 2 to the OFF position. Next, install the necessary Gentex Sync Module. (Consult Gentex for the proper sync module.)

FCPS-2404

How is the FCPS-2404 supervised?

The output circuit is supervised by the FCPS-2404 Notification Appliance Circuit's End-of-line resistor. Refer to FCPS-2404 Manual http://www.firelite.com/manuals/51486.pdf

Will coded signals pass through the FCPS-2404?

A coded (e.g. ANSI Temporal) NAC circuit can be used to drive the FCPS-2404 the power supply will repeat the code.

Note: JP10 (External Strobe Sync Feature) must be positioned in the DISABLED position (left two pins jumpered) to support coded signals. Refer to the FCPS-2404 manual. http://www.firelite.com/manuals/51486.pdf

How many FCPS-2404s may be daisy-chained together?

You can connect (daisy-chain) up to four FCPS-2404s.

Mounting Sync or Control Modules in a FCSP-2404 cabinet

The optional hardware kit (part number 90273) allows for mounting of two control modules or one control module and one sync module.

MPS-24A, MPS-24BF: Ground Fault LEDs

This could indicate an actual ground fault, but could also indicate a problem with a supervisory cable. Check that the Power Supply Supervision Ribbon (P3) is connected correctly. The colored trace wire on the ribbon cable should be on the right when plugged into the CPU. On the power supply side, it must be down on the MPS-24A and to the left for both the MPS-24BF and the MPS-24F. This ribbon, though keyed, CAN be installed improperly and the only indication will be the illumination of the two Ground Fault LEDs.

MPS-24A, MPS-24BF: AC Power LED On

At what point does the AC Power LED on the CPU to turn off?

If the AC voltage drops below 102 VAC, OR if a trouble condition is being transmitted via the Supervision Cable, which is connected to P5 on the MPS-24AF/MPS-24F or P4 on the MPS-24BF. Check the power supply first and confirm that the incoming AC supply is above 102 VAC. If sufficient AC is present, disconnect the Supervision Cable from the supply. If this cause the AC Power LED to turn on, the problem exists somewhere along the supervisory chain.

Batteries and Chargers

How long does it take for the CHG-120F to fully-charge completely-discharged batteries?

How to Connect two 100 AH batteries to the CHG-120F

Disabling a Battery Charger