Nighthawk KN-COEG-3 How to Test Your Alarm, Testing the Electronics, Testing the sensor response

Part One – Your Nighthawk CO and Gas Alarm

•A blinking dot will be displayed and the sounder will chirp every 15 seconds.

•The display will alternate between “Lb.” (low battery) and CO reading while chirping.

When battery is depleted:

•A blinking dot will be displayed and the sounder will chirp approximately every 30 seconds.

•Pressing the test button will result in a chirp approximately every one second. The alarm will not detect CO or gas if battery is depleted. Replace battery.

Constant exposures to high or low humidity may

reduce battery life.

We recommend you replace your 9V battery at

least every six months.

How to Test Your Alarm

There are two aspects of the alarm’s operation that can be test- ed: the electronics and the sensors response. Instructions on test- ing each are outlined below and on the next page.

Testing the Electronics

You should test the alarm once a month, following the direc-

tions listed below. If at any time you test the alarm and it does not perform as described below, have it replaced immediately. Turn to page 1-6 “How to know if your alarm is malfunctioning” for a description of the characteristics of a malfunctioning alarm and what you should do if a malfunction occurs.

Observe the alarm weekly to make sure the red dot is blinking, indicating normal operation.

If the dot is not blinking, unplug the alarm for three minutes, then plug in again. This

How to Test Your Alarm (continued)

NOTE: Pressing the Test/Reset button tests the functions of the alarm’s internal components, circuitry and micro-computer. YOU

DO NOT NEED TO PRESS THE TEST BUTTON TO TAKE A CO OR GAS READING. CO readings or the presence of Gas are automatically shown on the alarm’s digital display. If the alarm shows zero (0), then no measurable amount of CO or Gas has been sensed by the alarm within the past 15 seconds.

Testing the sensor response

While it is not required, on occasion you may wish to observe and become familiar with your alarm’s response in the actual presence of carbon monoxide or Gas. The best and safest way to do this is with either a cigarette or an incense stick. To per- form this test you will need: your alarm, a butane lighter, an ash- tray, and either a cigarette or an incense stick.

CAUTION: Please refer to the “Frequently Asked Questions” section for warnings on how NOT to test the sensor response.

WARNING: This test should be done by adults only. Children should be warned never to light matches or butane lighters. Please use caution when performing the test described below. Avoid burns from flame or hot materials. Avoid inhaling exces- sive smoke from the cigarette or incense stick. Extinguish all flames and properly discard all hot materials.

CARBON MONOXIDE TESTING

Step 1. With a match or a lighter, light a single cigarette or incense stick. Extinguish the match or lighter. Make sure an ashtray is available to discard ashes, matches and the burned cigarette or incense stick.

will clear the alarm for restart. If the dot does

Blinking Dot

Step 2. Hold the smoldering cigarette or incense stick 2-3 inches directly below the bottom air vents of the CO and Gas alarm,

not resume blinking, your alarm may be malfunctioning.

To test the alarm, press the Test/Reset button. If the unit is operating properly, you should notice the following:

•The display shows three eights , then shows the word “GAS” in the display while the unit is sounding 3 half second beeps. Then, the display shows a number (usu ally around 200). You should then hear 4 quick beeps – followed by 5 seconds of silence – followed by 4 quick beeps repeating until reset stops. The unit will then show the three eights for several seconds. It will then return to monitoring for carbon monoxide and Gas.

Familiarize yourself and household members with the alarm pat- tern described above for a Gas event and a CO event. While on AC power, in the event of a CO or Gas incident, the appropriate pattern will continue to repeat as long as CO or Gas is present.

making sure the stream of smoke rises into the vents.

Step 3. Continue holding the cigarette or incense stick directly below the alarm for 3 - 5 minutes or until you see a reading on the display. Note: Do not hold the cigarette or incense stick clos- er than one inch to the alarm as smoke will cause a yellow stain to develop on the alarm’s outer case.

Step 4. Your unit will probably not alarm during this test. If it does, you can silence it by pressing Test/Reset button and remov- ing the source of CO.

Step 5. Extinguish the cigarette or incense stick by pressing the smoldering tip into the ashtray.

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