How to replace old hard wired smoke detectors - easy DIY

Replacing my old smoke detectors in the house. According to the NFPA smoke detectors should be replace every Ten Years - mine were 3 years passed that, plus they were sun bleached and looked ugly.
I show you how to replace the smoke detector yourself. If you found this video helpful please consider subscribing.
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smoke detectors I used:
- 6 pack: amzn.to/3h1UonM
- Individual: amzn.to/3jtsNx9
- Wire stripping tool: amzn.to/3duX8YG

[@yourfavoritethings4687]

You have no idea how much you have just helped me. I am on my own with no one around me that remotely has a clue on how to do this. All of my female friends do the hand off to the men, and well...no reliable men around me right now. I thought I was going to have to pay someone to handle this for me....and then I found this video. GRATEFUL for life. Anyone who helps me feel more empowered is my hero. Thank you!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Wow, that is a tremendous comment. You are welcome and I'm glad it was helpful 😃

[@Truth4Lyf]

I'm that guy in my house that helps with this kind of stuff, and I always use KZbin too 💯💯🤣

[@Island_Landlord]

Getting rid of the old connector was tripping me up- thanks for including the how to! This was perfect

[@Marxistcorgi69]

Man that was the best labeled breaker box I’ve ever seen lol

[@ryanwalsh5305]

Straight to the point no extra BS video. This is what KZbin needs to go back to. Thabks for the information.

[@BlueThunderboltsiren]

I don't have any smoke alarms to replace yet, but it's still satisfying to watch these things.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@girl_friday9185]

Super helpful, moved into a condo that is 15 years old and I have those same exact models of old, dilapidated hardwired units (their ability to discolor IS uncanny!). One started chirping, which naturally meant they all started chirping, in a cycle… Given their ‘vintage,’ I didn’t even bother w/ replacing batteries-chalked it up to good housekeeping. Upgraded to CO + Smoke combo detectors for the added peace of mind. Was able to keep them hardwired after gaining self-confidence watching your walk-thru. Did them myself, saving some much-appreciated 💸. Thanks again!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Comments like this are exactly why I made the video. I'm glad that it was helpful and gave you some confidence to try it yourself, saving some money along the way 👍👍

[@suskagusip1036]

Omg thank you so much. It's been years I've been listening to that darn chirping. Me and my kids just got used to it. I thought it's complicated but you showed me the easy way. Thanks again.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Glad it's helpful 👍

[@augustacorns]

Thank you for the helpful video. I had to change my old smoke detector for a state inspection at my condo, and I just completed the job with your video. 👍🏾

[@PlatoonGarage]

👍 nice!

[@tabsabs3390]

EXACTLY what I was looking for! Had no idea how to upgrade my smoke detectors. Thank you very much!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Glad it was helpful

[@Atulipan]

Thank you, simple and direct to the point.

[@Harris316]

Great video, methodical explanation with step by step instructions 👍👍

[@adohko]

Excellent tutorial, covering everything from A to Z 👍👍

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks!

[@donyadrewitt5265]

This was so incredibly helpful! My home is also just over 13 years old. I have the same smoke detectors and they, too, have turned that ugly yellow color. I will be changing all of mine out this weekend. Thanks again and BTW, I have a magic eraser sponge so I'm ready!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Awesome, so glad it was helpful for you 🙂. The magic eraser is one of the best inventions ever

[@thezacpizza2840]

@@PlatoonGarage make sure to also buy off brand magic erasers because it's all just the same type of spongey foam so the cheap ones don't get torn up as easy because they're thicker and cover more surface area

[@PlatoonGarage]

@@thezacpizza2840 good advice right here

[@keithwalker5078]

great simple video and demo. thanks. one started chirping even after replacing battery so they are original, 25 years old so will replace them all. TY

[@PlatoonGarage]

👍

[@hom296]

Great video...thanks for posting it! You get an award for the best looking circuit box too!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@MultiZoozoo]

Thanks for sharing this wisdom .. I had no idea how to do this ... After watching this, planning to change mine over the weekend.

[@PlatoonGarage]

👍

[@thomaschristopher8593]

great video. i was able to replace my two smoke detectors. thank you.

[@libaaxalee]

Thanks man it is easier than I thought as I have never replaced them before and I need to do now with one that has the capability of Carbone detector.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Very straightforward. Good luck

[@handsomeawkward1822]

Thank you so much for this! I’m pretty dumb when it comes to handyman stuff and this video made the job pretty easy even for me.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Glad it was helpful 👍

[@johnd9031]

Good review. I’m getting ready to replace mine soon.

[@donnaferreri9080]

Thank you I know what to do now. This would have been my husband's job if he was still alive. I feel a lot more comfortable now.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Glad that it is helpful for you, comments like this one is exactly why I make these videos

[@kevinsomerville7298]

Easy to follow- Great instructions!!

[@PlatoonGarage]

cheers!

[@SeeSaw444]

Excellent tutorial!! You have a great way of explaining and some interesting content.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for the kind words. 👍

[@stevemcclanahan3845]

Awesome instructions! Thank You for your help!

[@puppoobhaiMBBS]

Excellent demonstration. I wish other KZbin DIY videos are like this- no unnecessary, useless talking. Thanks for posting it

[@triplelibratattoos]

I am extremely grateful for you to take the time to create this video. 😢 thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope you have a happy new year💝

[@PlatoonGarage]

You are very welcome.

[@samuelkim8730]

This was very helpful thank you!

[@uh-1flyboy632]

I just replaced my original smoke detectors (just like yours ) that are hardwired. My replacements that look the same as yours came with 3 different adaptor wires. One of them is triangle shaped and plugs right into the wires hanging from the ceiling and then you just plug the rectangle white piece into the new smoke detector. Screw it back onto the ring and you are done. Don't even need to disconnect power. I did discover that ALL of the detectors wired from room to room need to be replaced at the same time. If you leave one old one plugged in, the alarms will beep until you disconnect the old one and plug in a new one. I replaced the bedrooms but not the hallway. Once I did the middle hallway, everything worked fine.

[@paldenoshoe5746]

That was very well done!! Thank you!

[@jimrich4192]

Be sure to say "don't over tighten screws holding plastic ring to ceiling/wall" or it might crack. Also, when replacing a battery, observe the polarity (+ -) marks or it won't fit inside.

[@rockymtn1291]

Before buying a new alarm, make sure to take out the battery and unplug it then press the button to clear out the memory. It still chirped with a new battery until I did that.

[@nikeetamaddox8004]

The best video out of all the ones I’ve watched.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Glad it was helpful

[@K1tty-cat]

Thank you so much!! About to switch from First Alert to Kidde and although you did the opposite this video will definitely come in useful! 🙏

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@TheBandoury]

Helpful. thank you!

[@oneshoe123]

Nice, easy to follow instructions thanks

[@fernandorodriguez4382]

Nice work. Thank you sir.

[@johnozarchuk507]

Super awesome, thank you!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Glad you found it helpful

[@k9casablankino845]

Great video! I just replaced mine but I didn’t replace the wires. I just plugged the new smoke detector to old wires. It seems working!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Nice, my old plugs didn't fit the new smoke detectors

[@dolemite44149]

Yes. Mine fit too

[@lnystrom9044]

Very good demo / thank you

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@kenbourne3159]

Great video! Thanks

[@Laverdad999]

Gracias mi hermano. Excelente vídeo. Thank you so much.

[@PlatoonGarage]

De nada amigo

[@ethanmacias7287]

Great video! You should make sure there's also a Carbon Monoxide Alarm in every level (Including the Basement and outside of sleeping areas

[@DaruDhillon]

Great point! It’s required by code.

[@oxoxabbyxoxox]

@@DaruDhillon 0 fd udjdjnd n n

[@uglybutwhocares4469]

Possibly an all electric house

[@curtw8827]

​@@uglybutwhocares4469if it's all electric you may have an integral garage when I car might be accidentally left running. So carbon monoxide detection is needed.

[@G4M846]

Hi Ethan

[@farmervee_yt]

Great video! Now I can do this myself. Thank you.😊

[@PlatoonGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@H.pylori]

Still a great video in 2024...thanks!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@donnaleiber6214]

Thanks for the video. Very useful.

[@PlatoonGarage]

👍

[@sgtz113ang]

thanks ! got a new set on order

[@loridean8936]

Thankyou so much!! I did it, and feel good i accomplished it..Thanks to you. 😉

[@PlatoonGarage]

Congratulations to you. Feels good saving yourself some cash 👍

[@SLloyd-qb8kt]

Wow, this was so helpful! Thank you so much!!

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@mascara_dust.]

Ours are pretty clean and new!

[@aquafishes]

Thank You! Would a good Final test of the system be to pull out the adapter on one smoke alarm to make sure the remaining attached smoke alarms go off?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Look online and see if the manufacturer has a testing procedure

[@Biggarou]

Finally someone that this vid right. Thank you for posting, ran through like 4 yahoos that talked about dum stuff for minutes then showed you nothing important other then how to drill holes..

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@dolly0315]

Awesome 👏 thank you

[@dyntfilament]

ya def save me there i almost started without turning the corrwct breaker off but lucky i dont mess with wires unless im a 100% sure is off but still i didnt know the breakbox had a breaker for the smokes detects.

[@hafnium911]

Great video! Much easier to change out the connector for the new smoke detector than I thought. Thanks!

[@lcymds]

Very helpful. Thanks so much! 71 yr old female DIYer.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Glad it was helpful 👍

[@darrenreyes6408]

Thank you very helpful

[@tikab7051]

Super helpful thank you !

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@7kwhite1997]

I would do mine myself but I would need someone to hook up the extra smoke and heat alarms to the box since the last owners didn't bother getting it done

[@user-dp1lv4os4z]

Can you use the existing wires of the old smoke detector and just swap out the old detector & bracket with the new? I replaced the old one which was a hard wired BRK 4919 with a First Alert 9120B because it was chirping most likely due to end of life since there was no backup battery. I didn't swap any wires. However, afterwards it was still chirping between the 3 hallway detectors on the first and 2nd floor. I proceeded to replace the backup batteries while shutting off the circuit breaker despite them being new. I was sure to bleed any remaining charge in the unit before reinstalling the batteries and turning back on the power. Despite this, I'm still getting the chirp. What do you think I did wrong? Question, if one battery is low will all units chirp if they are connected or will only the problem unit(s) chirp?

[@PlatoonGarage]

if the plug is an exact fit/match between the old and new smoke detector it should work. you can always try and see. if it doesn't work then just wire in the new connector

[@alexalarcon8737]

I have two of these fire alarms. My house was built in 1986. These are the fire alarms that were install during the construction of the complex. They are still working fine The Firex FX1020 is a great product but they're ugly.

[@PlatoonGarage]

These smoke detectors really are great, but definitely ugly 😂

[@GTAEmergencyVideography]

Great video

[@heidismith6148]

Thankyou so much, mine are about 30 years old, I will challenge this soon.

[@PlatoonGarage]

It's very easy, and save some money by diy 👍

[@heidismith6148]

@@PlatoonGarage can I ask y a question? My old base is only 4 plus inches round and the new ones are 6", do you think I'll have to make new screw holes?, Thanks in advance 😊

[@PlatoonGarage]

@@heidismith6148 screw mounting holes should be standard sizing based off of the electrical box that is in the ceiling. You can take the old one off and measure where the screws go to be sure before doing the work

[@alextsarevskiy9886]

Hey I purchased a replacement smoke alarms that are compatible with my old ones (New ones are BRK 7010B) and they are identical to the old ones, I came with the same pigtail that you showed, but I didn’t use it. Instead I just plugged it to the existing wires. The smoke alarm is connected properly with the green light. Do you think I should still replace the old pigtail with the new?

[@PlatoonGarage]

if the new pigtail plugs directly in and you already have a green light, push and hold down the test button and if it triggers all of your smoke detectors, then it is working properly.

[@jamiefortin2243]

The UV light actually doesn't have anything to do with the discoloration, they put special chemicals in the plastic to let you know that it's time to change it.

[@PlatoonGarage]

That's really interesting, didn't know that

[@markb.1259]

Thank you for this video! Did I miss the part where you VERIFIED the power was off to those wires before you touched them? :-?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for watching. Yes, there's a part in there where the LED is off

[@RageQuitter0531]

what screws and screw holes are being used here? are the screws supposed to go into the screw holes in the electrical box, or separate holes in the drywall?

[@PlatoonGarage]

They go into the electrical box

[@mohamedmagdi7515]

Great video! I have a question, Do I have to replace the wire? Couldn't I just connect to the already installed adapter if it fits? Thanks!

[@PlatoonGarage]

If the wiring adapter is identical, it should work without having to replace it

[@mohamedmagdi7515]

@@PlatoonGarage Fantastic!! Thank you so much for taking the time.

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

I’ve seen some houses with 10+ year old detectors that were still white colored.

[@isovideo7497]

Unfortunately, the distance between the ceiling mounting screws is not always the same from old to new. The red signal wire voltages should be compatible between brands, so you can, in theory, mix and match various other types of detectors (e.g carbon monoxide), and only replace those that are necessary. Nevertheless, changing all alarms to at least the same brand may be prudent. Some states mandate that the smoke alarms share power with lights in one of the bedrooms, in order to encourage people not to turn off a dedicated smoke alarm breaker. Hopefully it will be labelled appropriately on the breaker box, otherwise you may have to switch power off each bedroom until the alarms green lights go out. In most cases, this video shows exactly what most people need to know.

[@admwadenx]

Great tutorial! One question: What if you have a yellow wire instead of a red one? Does the yellow serve the same purpose as the red?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Not sure. I've not seen a yellow travel/signal wire before, but it could be. Open up your other smoke detectors and see if they all are using that yellow wire

[@admwadenx]

@@PlatoonGarage Thanks for that! I think I figured it out, at least in part! My setup has the plug extending down from the ceiling allowing me to simply plug into the smoke detector (might need an adapter for the unit though)! The other option is to rewire, which I think is where the black, white, and red wires come into play! Not sure I'm totally on point, but it's a start!

[@timallison8560]

you got very lucky, in florida the code is that the smoke detectors cannot be on one circuit or everyone would just turn them off.

[@PlatoonGarage]

Haha, Florida is wild. Only there would people turn off life saving devices for convenience

[@wasilli6179]

Thank you so much

[@PlatoonGarage]

Thanks for watching

[@ambergrey5131]

What happens if you don't have a smoke detector breaker? Do you turn off all power?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Good question. I've not seen that before. I would double check, I can't imagine that a wired detector isn't on a breaker

[@mascara_dust.]

And they work pretty well but there is one with the crack down the hallway

[@Slamjam88]

I have white, yellow, and black wires so would the yellow just goto the red?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Most likely that is the case. Generally black is the hot wire, white is neutral (pretty universal), then you have a traveller wire which is a 3rd color(normally red) and either green or bare copper for ground

[@Blueknight84]

your smoke alarms went to the beach and got a tan, LOL

[@Blueknight84]

plus i like first alert better

[@PlatoonGarage]

this is hilarious. they definitely got a tan

[@Justarandompersonslayed]

I have 3 kidde kn-cosm-ba And 5 kidde i4618ac

[@favoritemyvideo]

Could I unplug the wire from the smoke detector with the electrical on? My wired smoke alarm is malfunctioning and keeps going off. I need to temporarily shut it off. I have a battery operated detector as backup.

[@PlatoonGarage]

You could unplug the pigtail yes

[@favoritemyvideo]

@@PlatoonGarage Great, thanks a lot for the video!

[@josjo8574]

Questions, can I leave the red one alone, since I am only have black and red wire???

[@PlatoonGarage]

I don't think I can give advice on that. You should have more than just red and black wires

[@50hellkat2]

Do you turn your power off before you do the electrical?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Yes. It's in the video, did you watch?

[@Sylvestershows]

That second one looks like it got pooped on, seriously though thank you for this information.

[@PlatoonGarage]

It was definitely ugly 🤣

[@ConnorPlayzShorts]

Do You Still Have The Smoke Alarms? Because I Really Need Them For What I Am Making

[@PlatoonGarage]

The old ones? No I recycled them

[@ConnorPlayzShorts]

@@PlatoonGarage Alright That's Ok Thanks Though:)

[@amjadsiddig2085]

you making a nuclear bomb?? XD

[@ConnorPlayzShorts]

@@amjadsiddig2085 no LOL

[@highersight2332]

I changed one of my smoke detector and all the other smoke detectors went off once connected. Do I need to reset the other detectors or is there another possible reason they alarm once thee new smoke detector is connected?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Not sure about that one. Maybe you have a short somewhere??

[@sitymanpt]

I have the same issue. How did you resolve it?

[@ileanadancovich4976]

Can you reuse the existing pigtail if you are replacing with the same exact smoke detector?

[@PlatoonGarage]

If the plug fits you should be good to go, but if you need to replace them, it's very easy to do

[@vichetmeng2015]

Man your house looks NICEEEE what year is it?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Built 2007

[@vichetmeng2015]

@@PlatoonGarage oof, just like my house.

[@mrmaddocs68752]

You could have gone from that Kidde to the first alert without rewiring with the included wiring adapters

[@PlatoonGarage]

Nice tip, I wasn't aware they used the same adapter

[@dwh3276]

No testing the wires to ensure not hot? I wouldn’t be trusting just the green light going out.

[@pokemonpro-pp1vc]

BRK brands smoke detector that's the one I have mine's a photoelectric smoke detector without voice

[@alekogosh332]

You should replace them with nest protects

[@The09creeper]

Another thing is to make sure that all of your smoke alarms are the same brand (this doesn’t apply to battery only units)

[@mewing-gawd]

I'd get a SC7010B for every level

[@mewing-gawd]

@Andrew Weng yes

[@mewing-gawd]

@@urielbourque Yeah I have first alert 9120bs and they go off for no reason

[@sandy-rr1by]

I thought the hardwired pigtail was a universal plug to connect the new alarms.

[@VideoNOLA]

By now, you've learned: "The plastic used to produce the detector contains Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR). These compounds yellow with age as they are exposed to ultraviolet light. If your smoke detector has turned a nice yellow or yellowish brown, it is well past time to replace the unit."

[@shakeitshakeitbaby]

Looks easy when he does it 🤪

[@PlatoonGarage]

That's because I edited out all of the swear words 😂 j/k

[@zhcyes3424]

If chirping did not stop even you change batteries you need to change whole set.

[@Joes-os1eb]

Why did the instructions with my smoke detector say to not hook up the red wire?

[@PlatoonGarage]

Hard to say, did you buy a detector that is not interconnected? The red wire is a traveller that alerts all the other detectors if it goes off

[@Justarandompersonslayed]

My chalet is almost 19 year

[@rubyrainsong]

Am I the only one who hates hardwired smoke detectors? For some reason, in the 2 houses we had them, they start chirping in the middle of the night. FOR NO REASON! Less than 2 years old both times. So I took them all out and replaced them w/ independent ones and haven't had anymore problems.

[@juggalogamer8541]

We have an old one in our house and wants to Blue Moon it does a really literally loud Rain Sound and I me really loud like a fire alarm is really bad I really don't know how to disconnect the damn thing

[@PlatoonGarage]

Sounds like your old one is on the way out. Just follow the steps and replace it 👍

[@rickandmortyfan3009]

Kidde Smoke Alarm Model 1276