Found out the hard way why you always test the backup battery before leaving a job

Last Thursday I was finishing up a panel swap at a house over in Oakwood. Everything looked good on the new board so I packed up and drove to the next call. Two hours later the homeowner called me saying all her smoke detectors were chirping and the keypad was dark. I drove back and found the backup battery connector was barely seated from the factory. Snapped it in place and everything came back to life. Now I make it a habit to give each battery terminal a tug before buttoning up the panel. Has anyone else run into loose connectors fresh out of the box?

3 comments

3 Comments

ramirez.vera4d agoProlific Poster

Oh man, I used to think those factory connectors were always good to go. I figured if it clicked in it was fine, you know? Then I had a similar thing happen with a thermostat backup battery. The little wire pigtail looked solid but I guess it was barely making contact. Unit died overnight and the homeowner woke up to a freezing house. Now I give every single plug a little wiggle and pull test before I walk away. It's a five second check that saves you a whole lot of headache later.

ruby6594d ago

You know, I was exactly the same way... thought if it clicked, it was good. That thermostat story really hits home though, makes me rethink all those "good enough" connections I've walked away from. Guess I'll be adding that wiggle test to my routine too.

max_cooper214d ago

Guess I'll be adding that wiggle test to my routine too" - right? That's the thing that gets me. It's such a tiny habit change but it could save you from so many callbacks or angry customers. I used to skip stuff like that because I figured if it snapped in place it was good enough. But those little plastic tabs can be finicky even when they look right (especially on cheaper connectors, honestly). Like ramirez.vera said about the thermostat battery - it's crazy how something that looks totally fine can be barely hanging on by a thread. I've started doing a full on "tug and wiggle" on every connection I make now, even the ones I'm sure about. It feels a bit silly at first but the peace of mind is totally worth it. And honestly, it's way better than getting that late night call about something failing.