djkid1974 wrote:So can anyone tell me why I can't put this in a lamp that is on 1/2 the day? I know smoke rises and near the ceiling would be ideal for a smoke detector but wouldn't a lamp be better than nothing? I hardly ever turn the ceiling ligts on due to the ceiling fans. They don't have separate switches. Let me know your thoughts!

Often times, by the time smoke gets low enough to hit a desk lamp, it could be too late to put out a fire, or in some cases even escape. I think it probably WOULD work in a lamp, but unless the lamp is on a shelf near the ceiling, with no lampshade, there's not a lot of reason for harboring false security...I'd think.

Correct me if I'm wrong...no wait...don't tell me.

:D

thebug622 wrote:Since they come 3 to a pack shouldn't we get 2 packages to make it a true 2FER?

Buy one get 2 for a buck each, if you go against Amazon's pricing...?

My question is, can they be disabled if there is smoke for a reason? You can pop the battery out of your kitchen one while you're cooking, but do these have a removable battery? Unfortunately, sometimes food smokes when you cook. Even on tv shows!

Living in an apartment that does have some overhead lighting that is not in a ceiling fan, I might be in for a few if they're easily dissuaded from chirping.

djkid1974 wrote:So can anyone tell me why I can't put this in a lamp that is on 1/2 the day? I know smoke rises and near the ceiling would be ideal for a smoke detector but wouldn't a lamp be better than nothing? I hardly ever turn the ceiling ligts on due to the ceiling fans. They don't have separate switches. Let me know your thoughts!

That's probably just a legal thing. It would take a lot longer for one in a lamp to go off than one on the ceiling, and therefore wouldn't legally be effective. Even longer if there's a shade over it. However, like you said, it is better than not having one at all.

compassstl wrote:Buy one get 2 for a buck each, if you go against Amazon's pricing...?

Lol, you could just get 2 3-packs and pay 19.98 for it. There's your two-fer.

naclark wrote:Ionization or Optical technology?

My guess is ionization since photoelectric detectors are relatively rare. Having a bright lightbulb nearby may also throw the photoelectric detector off although I guess it can be isolated from all outside light.

glazedfaith wrote:Often times, by the time smoke gets low enough to hit a desk lamp, it could be too late to put out a fire, or in some cases even escape. I think it probably WOULD work in a lamp, but unless the lamp is on a shelf near the ceiling, with no lampshade, there's not a lot of reason for harboring false security...I'd think.

Correct me if I'm wrong...no wait...don't tell me.

:D

A plus side for having it in a lamp, if it were effective at its task (and I think the vent-holes for the optical device are on the bulb side, so it wouldn't be effective upside-down) would be that the heat from said lamp bulb would rise and not affect the detector, and if the bulb went out in a puff of smoke, it wouldn't make the alarm go off.
I'd go with what the OEM says on this one. Safety's important.

glazedfaith wrote:Lol, you could just get 2 3-packs and pay 19.98 for it. There's your two-fer.

Or if you get 3 then it's um... more.

...My maths disappeared... I'm gonna go look for them.

compassstl wrote:Hmm...

Do any owners have an answer on this one?

Obviously if the switch is off, or the circuit broken, the charger will not get power, but so long as you don't let bulbs burn out for months at a time, the 30-day charge should do you just fine. Keep in mind, the switch has to be on for it to charge.

wootgoat wrote:You know... as ironic as this may sound, if these can last forever, they could prove quite useful. No more of those annoying beeps when there is a low battery, that's for sure. Even if it only lasts twice as long, that feature alone make it well worth it in my book. :-)

We had an AC powered smoke alarm- it lasted about 9 years then the little isotope element faded- with no indication it became insensitive. This was about 20 years ago, so hopefully the technology has changed. But, to be sure it is advisable to periodically test any smoke detector including AC powered ones.

Also, does it have some sort of led indicator noting that it is actually charging? I realize that as long as the light comes on, the circuit is complete, but what if the battery stops holding a charge or is disconnected? i.e. my laptop can be powered even with the battery completely removed...can this?

A REAL homerun would have been a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in one!

djkid1974 wrote:So can anyone tell me why I can't put this in a lamp that is on 1/2 the day? I know smoke rises and near the ceiling would be ideal for a smoke detector but wouldn't a lamp be better than nothing? I hardly ever turn the ceiling ligts on due to the ceiling fans. They don't have separate switches. Let me know your thoughts!

The common problem to lamps, floor lamps and ceiling fans is air current. For obvious reason, a fan that is on would blow smoke away. But a similar, albeit weaker, effect occurs around table and floor lamps. Inn both cases, the detector would be below the bulb -- a source of heat. Heat causes air to rise, thus preventing the smoke from falling into the detector.

This phenomenon would only occur, of course, if the lamp or fan is on. But to be safe, the company recommends against it. And of course, smoke detectors should be no more than 4 inches from the ceiling.

BUt to answer your question, I would say yes, having one in a desk lamp is probably better thann not havinng any detector at all.

glazedfaith wrote:My question is, can they be disabled if there is smoke for a reason? You can pop the battery out of your kitchen one while you're cooking, but do these have a removable battery? Unfortunately, sometimes food smokes when you cook. Even on tv shows!

Living in an apartment that does have some overhead lighting that is not in a ceiling fan, I might be in for a few if they're easily dissuaded from chirping.

Want to get a few for my dad, but he's almost 70 years old, and not tech savvy, so if the thing started going off because he burnt some popcorn in the microwave and he couldn't disable it, I'd never hear the end of it.

Reading is apparently a lost art.

* It takes 12 hours to charge the things initially, and then two hours of the light being on per week to keep it charged.

* It has to be cleaned at least every three months. Since it also has to be mounted on the ceiling, this is a real issue.

* It's unlikely that they don't charge if the bulb is burned out. The contacts in all of this type fixture are, IIRC, spaced apart, because otherwise the fixture would just short out.

These have ended up here at Woot because not many people have the right kind of light in the right location (low ceiling with bare bulb fixture) where they can be cleaned and are left on enough to stay charged. I would suggest that you use these only with compact florescent or other low-wattage bulbs that you leave on for long periods, and can reach with your vacuum wand to clean.

Dual Ionization/Photoelectric Alternative

Not the same thing at all, but a lot of people seem to be interested in supplementing their Ionization Smoke Detectors with ones sporting Photoelectric Sensors and there ARE some with both.

Better safe than sorry. Grab a few of these and a few of those and guarantee early warning.

tesla33 wrote:Reading is apparently a lost art.

* It takes 12 hours to charge the things initially, and then two hours of the light being on per week to keep it charged.

* It has to be cleaned at least every three months. Since it also has to be mounted on the ceiling, this is a real issue.

* It's unlikely that they don't charge if the bulb is burned out. The contacts in all of this type fixture are, IIRC, spaced apart, because otherwise the fixture would just short out.

These have ended up here at Woot because not many people have the right kind of light in the right location (low ceiling with bare bulb fixture) where they can be cleaned and are left on enough to stay charged. I would suggest that you use these only with compact florescent or other low-wattage bulbs that you leave on for long periods, and can reach with your vacuum wand to clean.

How qualitative of you! Thanks!

wootgoat wrote:You know... as ironic as this may sound, if these can last forever, they could prove quite useful. No more of those annoying beeps when there is a low battery, that's for sure. Even if it only lasts twice as long, that feature alone make it well worth it in my book. :-)

Nah. Two components have limited lifespans. First, if this is an ionization detector, the radioactive element Americium loses its sensitivity after about 7-10 years. Plus, the whole thing would probably be clogged with dust and grime. Second, rechargeable batteries have a limited number of recharge cycles. Each time you turn on the light is considered a cycle. In due time, the batteries will no longer hold a charge.

SmokeyFalls wrote:These things would always be going off because, baby... I'm smokin' hot!

Whatever!!!!

Did I miss whether these would work with a screw-in compact flourescent bulb?

smartheart wrote:Did I miss whether these would work with a screw-in compact flourescent bulb?

Shouldn't be an issue. As far as the socket is concerned, the screw in bulb is no different than any other bulb. Am I right?

EDIT: LOL! I am right.

The picture even shows such a configuration.

Found in the Additional Images on the bottom of the description page.

SmokeyFalls wrote:Only problem is, there aren't many electrical outlets on your ceiling.

Nobody said you have to screw a bulb into it. You could just leave it plugged into an outlet that's not being used on a regular basis.

nunyadamnbizness wrote:Nobody said you have to screw a bulb into it. You could just leave it plugged into an outlet that's not being used on a regular basis.

That is not necessarily the best solution, though. The initial 12-hour charge, plus 2 hours weekly, would be unlikely to happen on an outlet that you rarely use. If you don't remember to change the battery in your old school one, what suggests that you'll remember to leave that light switch on for 2 hours per week?

Just my .02

Actually, though, do we know how much power it uses when there is no light bulb installed? I suppose you could leave the switch on indefinitely, if the drain is nominal.

dlamblin wrote:This idea just won't work for me; the smoke is unlikely to be detected in the glass globe around my lights, and it's already a tight fit in there with the compact fluorescents.

Also this is really only good for bare bulbs- garages, basements etc- where there is no shade. I don't think they are made for the living room/bedroom/kitchen.

jclaggett wrote:Awesome in concept. Useless for most apartment dwellers. No ceiling light fixtures anywhere except the hall way really. But I'm debating a set for my parents house. They have a few rooms it would be good in. And I think giving something like this as a gift shows you care about the person. Right? RIGHT??

Most apartment dwellers don't have basements or garages...... duh

nunyadamnbizness wrote:Also this is really only good for bare bulbs- garages, basements etc- where there is no shade. I don't think they are made for the living room/bedroom/kitchen.

Just know, some of us hardcore bachelor types have bare bulbs in our kitchen and elsewhere, in the fixture directly above the pile of dirty clothes.

:D

EDIT: Now that I think about it...perhaps I should be living somewhere where the rent is high enough to warrant globes on the light fixtures. I just looked up and there's a place for it...but there aren't any globes anywhere... The breadsticks need marinara!?!

compassstl wrote:

What would happen if you screwed all 3 of these (in the set) into each other? Would they be louder (or rather, based on some scientific law - Ohm's maybe? - the one at the bottom of the set would be quieter since less electricity getting to it) or just more alarming?

I think you're joking but... where the alarm is has no effect on the sound. These don't run directly off the AC current in the socket. Instead, they run off the built in rechargeable batteries, which have the same voltage no matter whether it is first, second or third.

compassstl wrote:
I wonder if there's a way to tweak the frequency/pitch/sound of the alarms so they sound different in different areas of the house or for different owners...

It's probably possible. Just desolder the built-in siren and replace with another siren with similar ratings. You can get them at Radio Shack.

caeruleas wrote:It seems like a neat idea, but how many people have bare bulbs in their living area ceiling fixtures?

I was going to jump, but then I realized that I can't think of a place where these could be properly installed.

That was my thought exactly. Of the few ceiling fixtures that I have, all are covered by some sort of globe.

Neat idea, but omgwin!!

gpzbc wrote:That was my thought exactly. Of the few ceiling fixtures that I have, all are covered by some sort of globe.

Neat idea, but omgwin!!

Again, I don't think the intended purpose of these is to replace detectors in living areas of the house/apt like kitchens/bedrooms/dining areas etc. I think that the intent of these is for areas such as basements, garages, and even attics. Those areas where the lighting usually don't have covers over the light fixtures (bare bulbs).

sdc100 wrote:It's probably possible. Just desolder the built-in siren and replace with another siren with similar ratings. You can get them at Radio Shack.

Speaking of sirens...did anybody else get awakened by Tornado Sirens yesterday? I didn't know what was going on. Couldn't figure out why my alarm clock was so loud, and wouldn't disable. I wonder if anybody at woot! heard them. I'm only about an hour south of Carollton.

Booperelli wrote:How loud are these?

this lous...BEEEEEEEP!

Saw these and just had to comment.

First off, These should be mounted either on the ceiling at it's highest point, or not lower than 1 foot from the ceiling. It's pretty rare to find a "screw in" light fixture at those locations, except for a garage or workshop. (most light fixtures would prevent this unit from mounting properly) And In those places, which are usually behind a solid core door, you would want something hooked in either wireless or wired to the rest of the house, as you would only really need to know if there was a fire there when you weren't in the garage or workshop. As far as placing them in a lamp - by the time a low mounted detector goes off, the air 12 inches above it is filled with poisonous and possibly superheated gases. It goes off with one on a bedside table, and you stand up, you're dead.
In the end, these might make a cute "gee whiz" type of alarm, but as far as rechargable batteries and Woot goes - I wouldn't want to bet my life on it.

For more information:
NFPA Smoke Alarms

geo8rge wrote:Possible solution: Put in an electical box next to an existing light fixture, and mount a smoke detector that works off the house wiring.

You must remember that when the electricity goes out that your smoke alarm no longer works (without the battery back up that the other person didn't want to deal with)... hence rechargeable!!!

And while we're at it - here are some good videos to remind you of fire dangers -

Kitchen Fires

Living Room fires

Christmas tree fire

Should I really buy cheap smoke alarms?

This is the perfect gift for an enemy.

Had these. Got 3 from Big Lots for $5 each, one for each floor in the house. Nicely designed. Wide enough to allow the use of energy saver florescent light bulbs. Took about 24 hours to charge. Of the 3 purchased, 2 will work for about 5 seconds and then stop, and start chirping again, due to a drained rechargeable battery. The 3 are installed in sockets that are on 24/7, so they should have great charges on them.
The idea to have a permanent battery inside a light socket was brilliant. The idea to use cheap rechargeable battery's inside the devices, not so brilliant.
Needles to say, they have all been replaced with reliable Kidde Carbon Monoxide Smoke Alarm smoke detectors, as my loved ones are worth it.
These DuPont smoke detectors are a 50/50.
May be a great buy if you are a lite sleeper, and don't mind the 5 seconds total of alert sounding. Or, for like I said, an "enemy" that you HAVE to get a gift for.

gpzbc wrote:That was my thought exactly. Of the few ceiling fixtures that I have, all are covered by some sort of globe.

Neat idea, but omgwin!!

Just so everyone is clear on where to put these, it says "great for garages, laundry rooms and workshops." The point of that I am sure is so a bare bulb wont look out of place in those areas and they are less likely to already have a detector in them.

FYI from the manual:

Your DuPont TM Smoke Alarm PS-131 is only intended for use with conventional light bulbs up to a maximum rating of 60 watts, and low energy type bulbs with a similar rating.

glazedfaith wrote:My question is, can they be disabled if there is smoke for a reason? You can pop the battery out of your kitchen one while you're cooking, but do these have a removable battery? Unfortunately, sometimes food smokes when you cook. Even on tv shows!

Living in an apartment that does have some overhead lighting that is not in a ceiling fan, I might be in for a few if they're easily dissuaded from chirping.

You cant take the battery out, but there is a series of light off/on sequences that you can perform to temporarily disable the device for about 15 minutes. And a series of off/on's for testing the device as well.
There are no led indicators on the device to acknowledge a full charge or no charge, or dead battery for that matter.