If you have an ADT home security system with a battery that needs to be replaced, you can do it yourself instead of paying for a service call. Changing the backup battery is not very complicated and can be done at home by anyone within a few minutes. The following are the procedures for changing the alarm battery from an ADT security system.

What You Need

  • New 12-volt 7AH Lead Acid Battery for ADT System
  • Tiny Phillips head screwdriver
  • A pair of gloves and safety glasses

Before You Begin

  • Ensure the new backup battery is charged and readily available to replace the old one. To have no operational backup battery leaves the system vulnerable to potential threats, even if it is for a few minutes.
  • Ensure that the ADT system is turned off before replacing the battery since replacing the battery will set off the alarm. If unsure, you can put your system on test mode once in a while.

Find the ADT Alarm Panel Box

The ADT alarm panel box is normally placed near the door which leads outside or in a closet. It is a metallic container approximately the size of a briefcase and it houses your ADT alarm system keypad and other electronics. Thus the backup battery will be connected to an interface within the panel box.

Unlock the alarm panel box

First, open the panel box of your ADT home security system using the key that was provided to you. It may be that there are or are one or two locks. The next step is to lift the hinged cover that is available at the front part of the metal box where the battery and other internal parts are located.

Disconnect the Old Battery

Getting inside the panel, you’ll notice the 12-volt backup battery either on the side or at the rear of the panel. On the terminals of the battery, you will find red and black power wires. Remember which wire corresponds to which terminal before you start unplugging any of the wires. Carefully pull out the wires starting with the terminal on the battery. Then, loosen the battery bracket and pull it out to bring out the old battery from the ADT alarm panel box.

Install the New Battery

Install the new 12-volt 7AH battery in the battery bracket in the panel box and ensure it is properly fixed. If needed, reattach the bracket. Correctly connect the red wire to the positive terminal and the black wire to the negative terminal of the new battery. Make sure that the color coding on this part is in line with the markings on the battery.

Reset the System

If necessary, close the panel programming after connecting the new battery and ensuring it has been installed correctly. Then turn on the ADT system completely. Enter the master code to reset the system from the test mode in case it was activated. The new battery may turn on your system and devices or may not do so on its own. However, if not, just press the reset button on the ADT alarm panel keypad to charge the new battery.

Run System Tests

After finishing the reboot, go through a battery test on your ADT system programming menu. Make sure it registers acceptable voltage and charging on the new battery. Another way would be to activate the alarm to ensure that the backup battery takes charge as expected in case the system is not connected to the AC power supply. The siren or dialer might be deactivated in a home security tester system.

If you have not already done so, close up the Panel Box.

After everything seems to be in order, shut the alarm panel box. Ensure all connectors are properly connected and internal wires are neatly arranged before covering the metal lid. Secure it with the panel key and voila!

Some Tips and Precautions

  • This is because your ADT system should always have a working backup battery even if it is for a short while. This makes it unable to detect intrusion or trigger an alarm operation when the AC power is off.
  • It is also important not to allow any exposed wires or connectors to come in contact with the metal alarm panel if it is powered on since this may cause shorts.
  • The ADT alarm panel should only be fitted with the 7AH 12-volt sealed lead acid battery type. Other batteries may not efficiently charge the system as expected.
  • Old lead acid batteries should not be discarded in the normal trash but instead should be recycled through the proper channels. It is dangerous to have batteries broken because they can leak chemicals and acid.

Replacing a consumed battery on your own saves the expense and time of hiring an ADT service technician for a normally straightforward battery replacement. So, be sure to reconnect and test all the components of your ADT security system to ensure that everything is in proper order with the new backup battery before depending on it to protect and secure your home. It is a good practice to spare a few minutes to ensure this important part is in good condition always.

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