Topic 'Verizon FIOS Battery Backup' in forum 'Verizon FIOS TV' - dslreports.com

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:51:12 EDT

Rattler posted :

It's been dead for about 3 weeks. I unplugged it last week to try and silence beeping. Well, it still beeped. I replaced the battery this morning and about 5 mins later, I got the email.

Heh!

V* has never been quick on the notice uptake - unless it's a billing item that gets them more $$$. Sort of like insurance bill notifications. You get a bill 6 weeks before the policy expires, you pay it 1 -2 weeks before the due date and in a couple days, you get a 2nd notice.

Invariably, I get email notifications for TOS changes 1 - 2 weeks AFTER the change went into effect.
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:25:11 EDT

PhoenixOne posted : It's been dead for about 3 weeks. I unplugged it last week to try and silence beeping. Well, it still beeped. I replaced the battery this morning and about 5 mins later, I got the email.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:06:23 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : How long in between dead > letter ?

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:01:25 EDT

PhoenixOne posted : Gotta love this one. My battery went dead after 5 years. Ordered replacement from battery mart. Plugged in the new battery, all is working as it should. Then I got an email from Verizon Home Agent saying that.........their diagnostics have detected that my FIOS ONT backup battery needs to be replaced. I was never notified when it was low/dying/dead. Talk about closing the barn door after the horse is gone. *Face Palm*.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:23:59 EDT

birdfeedr posted :

said by wallstreet128:

can we buy a replacement battery online and what is the model #?

»www.batterymart.com/p-12v-7ah-se···-f2.html

I bought this replacement in March 2011 (actually 3 since it's the same battery for my other UPSs), and have no regrets. I've really exercised the one in the FiOS BBU due to my system testing.

APC calls it a RBC2. Make sure you get a battery with F2 0.25 inch terminals. F1 is 0.187" and is not the correct size terminals.

While you can find lots of sellers, I'd suggest you go straight to a high volume battery vendor to assure you get product with short lead times. Sometimes a battery will sit on a shelf too long resulting in a shorter life.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:37:54 EDT

wallstreet128 posted : can we buy a replacement battery online and what is the model #?

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:32:12 EDT

Winter Sol posted : Good luck with the beeping. I disabled mine and it was quite for a couple of months, then it starting beeping again! Also a cheap corded phone will work during an outage (with battery)

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 10:57:19 EDT

JackBauer posted :

said by Rattler:

It's a Guest (by Marinco) 2614A, marine dual battery charger designed to be installed in the engine space on an inboard boat

Thanks - was just curious because I bought an Xtreme Charge about a month ago and it saved two batteries a Ctek 7002 could not. I was amazed.

Darn thing needs to be fixed though, has a problem with the LEDs and it's kinda annoying I have to send it back to be repaired after only having it a month, but again... It saved me from replacing a car battery on a car that come off lease relatively soon. A great investment to save sulphated batteries. Love that thing.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 23:09:40 EDT

Rattler posted :

said by JackBauer:

said by Rattler:

I keep the boat batteries on a smart charger over the Winter put-up season and they have been very reliable.

Which smart charger do you use?

It's a Guest (by Marinco) 2614A, marine dual battery charger designed to be installed in the engine space on an inboard boat (must be ignition protected). It is a 3-stage charger that looks at the battery state and applies full rated output (10A or 5A depending on which battery bank it's outputs are connected to) until the battery voltage reaches an "almost charged" set point, then it goes into "Absorption" mode which lowers the current to about 60% of the full load value until the battery reaches what is considered fully charged state and then it drops the charge current back to 0-3A to maintain a float level on the battery, depending on what the battery voltage is doing.

Its designed to not "cook" the batteries once they attain full charge.
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:28:47 EDT

birdfeedr posted :

said by Rattler:

battery has a 55 AH rating (should give over 60 hours of backup),

I have done some performance tests using a larger battery connected as you said. A new 35AH battery replaced the good condition 7AH battery. My BBU is hacked to provide phone/data/video during a power outage. (I would have no fortitude to simulate a power outage otherwise. What? no internet until tomorrow? The natives would get very restless. ;) )

7AH runs at least 6 hours. 35AH runs 18. There's a circuit which monitors battery drain which shuts off ONT before battery is depleted. I believe that circuit is designed for a 7AH battery which may be why the 35AH only goes to 18 hours instead of 30 like I'd expect.

Ordinarily, when the internal battery level is low enough to shut down the ONT, one could then press the blue Emergency Use button which runs the ONT until the battery hits 10V. For a rechargeable depleting that low causes damage and while it will charge again and maintain, that battery now has a shorter life. The ReplaceBattery sensor will kick in sooner.

My suggestion, based on numerous tests on my BBU, is to maintain the 7AH internal battery for its 6-8 hour life, and be prepared to manually connect your higher capacity battery off the Auxiliary Battery port. I have not yet completed that performance test. Day job interferes lately.

Jack, I never answered your question way back when. I use a NOCO Genius G750 smart charger to hold a battery charge in readiness. »www.amazon.com/NOCO-G750-Automat···04LX3AS6

The BBU charge circuit appears adequate to charge my 35AH battery under test, except it takes a long time and did trigger a ReplaceBattery condition. I pulled the power plug from the wall for a two-minute outage, then plugged back in to resume charging.

There is no capability of pulling power out of the Auxiliary port. It is strictly for power input. I haven't found the right size barrel connector. Actually, I did once but I can't find it again. It was the exact size for ID and OD but was part of a different voltage-rated wall wart. I found it while looking for something else, so I set it aside. Kicking myself for not pulling it out.

Original post »FiOS BBU operation [long post]

Someone recently said to disconnect the signal return between BBU and ONT, but that ended up shutting everything down after 15 minutes. Maybe that works on a different BBU, just not on mine.

This works for me. »Verizon Online FiOS FAQ »Can I keep data and TV service active during battery operation?

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 15:16:56 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : No, its just not heavily taxed and regulated the same way, FDV gets the same treatment as cable co VoIP

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 15:12:57 EDT

NOYB posted :
Are you saying there is no 911 service access requirement for digital voice?

Even when a phone company turns off service I believe they are required to maintain 911 capability. I know it used to be that way even with cell phones.

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Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 14:17:16 EDT

JackBauer posted :

said by Rattler:

I keep the boat batteries on a smart charger over the Winter put-up season and they have been very reliable.

Which smart charger do you use?

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 14:01:52 EDT

Rattler posted :

said by ITALIAN926:

Ive wondered about the auxillary port on the BBU as well. Ive never seen a unit plugged into that thing, does something exist for it?

I'm not talking about the aux port as I think that it does NOT provide a charging voltage to a battery connected to it. I was talking about disconnecting the internal battery and reconnecting its leads to a larger, external one.

The Blue Top OPTIMA, D34M battery has a 55 AH rating (should give over 60 hours of backup), is sealed and I've been running a pair in my boat for over 6 years and one in my car for over 5. I keep the boat batteries on a smart charger over the Winter put-up season and they have been very reliable. I had them tested this past fall and they passed fine but are probably nearing the end of their service life.

There was a discussion about using the BBU aux port, a little while ago, and someone (birdfeeder? Polo Dude?) linked to a post about using it but I can't find it right now.
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:59:12 EDT

PJL posted :

said by JackBauer:

WRT telemarketers...

Everything from my college annual fund solicitation, to TWC trying to sell me their phone product, to political solicitations and fundraisers... To people who ignore DNC.

Heck I probably have more than 30. Once someone calls, I screen, search google, and block if needed. They never get through again.

I've actually left the country for ten days and came back to not a single call while I was gone.

I think having your phone number unlisted for 26 years also helps, in addition to being on the Do Not Call list. I rarely get marketing calls.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:42:03 EDT

JackBauer posted : WRT telemarketers...

Everything from my college annual fund solicitation, to TWC trying to sell me their phone product, to political solicitations and fundraisers... To people who ignore DNC.

Heck I probably have more than 30. Once someone calls, I screen, search google, and block if needed. They never get through again.

I've actually left the country for ten days and came back to not a single call while I was gone.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:36:51 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : Ive wondered about the auxillary port on the BBU as well. Ive never seen a unit plugged into that thing, does something exist for it?

Back to the FioS DV Vs. FiOS POTS /regulated... in some states, Verizon may be mandated to supply a certain amount of battery backup. I dont think FiOS can circumvent that if its NOT FiOS Digital Voice.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:29:28 EDT

Rattler posted :

said by JackBauer:

Disagree on your mathematics comment.

I seriously was considering Freedom Essentials because its call quality would be superior to DV as it is not VOIP.

When we were switched over from FiOS Freedom Essentials to DV, there was no change in quality but we certainly got more features w/ DV. Also, our monthly tax on phone service went down by ~$4.50 being offset by an increase of ~$1.00 for DV over FE. If you have FiOS, you can't get anything but DV when you change from an older package (at least that's what I've been told).

In response to NOYB's comment about V* being responsible for maintaining phone service through a power failure, IIRC, V* never guaranteed phone service, even with Copper/POTS. However, I feel that the BBU is V's equipment and it should be their responsibility to maintain all parts of it, including the battery. But that subject has been beaten to death here and it is in the TOS that the battery is the customer's resp after the 1-year warranty expires.

It used to be that if your FiOS TV remote went belly up, you'd call them and they'd send a new one free of charge (I've done it twice, in the distant past) - no more (unless you get a sympathetic CSR). Now, you have to purchase replacement remotes as well.

As an aside, I've often wondered if you could get a full-sized sealed vehicle battery (such as an OPTIMA AGM type), substitute it for the 7 AH battery in the BBU and get much longer than 8 hours of backup. I'm not talking about plugging it into the auxiliary battery port on the BBU (if one exists on your particular unit) but rather extending the normal connections for the internal battery. I'm just not sure if the charging circuitry in the BBU would handle the larger battery.
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:28:27 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : Is your house line on Verizon or another companies VoIP? Now things are getting confusing. I rarely get any telemarketers being on the do-not-call list.
»www.donotcall.gov/

I couldnt imagine having to block 10 numbers, let alone 30.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:24:42 EDT

JackBauer posted : Um just so you know - I don't hate DV. Actually I hate a part of it, the 10 number block limit. Other than that - when I finally get FIOS shortly, I would move to DV. Yeah, that's right, I would dump my current VOIP provider and move to DV knowing that it would be better quality. I won't do that however because I have like 30+ phone numbers blocked. I loathe telemarketers.

But for everyone who says it's better than POTS, I'm sure there are people out there that say the opposite...

»forums.verizon.com/t5/Home-Phone···p/300501

And that's just one thread, I could have posted quite a few more.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:10:55 EDT

PJL posted :

said by JackBauer:

Talk to me in a year. You've had it one day.
...

I just put a reminder on my Outlooks. Back in a year.

Oh and did I mention that for three days in late December my POTS line could not make calls to certain numbers? Or when they were made either I could not hear the other party or they could not hear me? Some numbers worked, and some didn't. It was the entire POTS switch -- my neighbor had the same issue.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:10:40 EDT

PoloDude posted : Fios DV is NOT a voio product like majicjack or others. Any comparison to the is strictly wrong. There have been enough discussions here on what the differences are.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:09:56 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : Jack, youre wrong on this one. Ive had DV over FiOS for about 3 years, not a single hiccup. You call Verizon for the switch, a few keystrokes and youre done. You might even be able to get into a new triple play promotion while youre at it.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:03:00 EDT

JackBauer posted : Talk to me in a year. You've had it one day.

I've had VOIP for probably ten years, and it's a love-hate relationship. Undoubtedly VZ would to a better job than 3rd party providers, and the features are an improvement (but still highly lacking with the 10 number block limit), but I'm very skeptical that DV actually will be better quality than FE.

Maybe I'm wrong - that does happen now and then.

And with respect to mathematics - I live in the lousy state of NY where they find the most insane ways to tax - just to waste it on some really insane programs... and I loathe it. My point is that paying a little bit more for assuring that I can use my fax machine, or that DTMF signals from my phone register properly with automated attendant systems, are worth a little bit of extra money. In NY it would probably be a lot more than $72/yr to be honest.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:49:04 EDT

PJL posted :

said by JackBauer:

Disagree on your mathematics comment.

I seriously was considering Freedom Essentials because its call quality would be superior to DV as it is not VOIP.

Yesterday we switched to Digital Voice. We've been with FiOS for over five years, so we had no commitments (either way) obviously and the price kept creeping up. So I checked the website and the same bundle (except with Digital Voice and an increase to 50/25 from 25/15 Internet) saved use $25 per month after the rebates for two years, plus the taxes and fees for POTS (most notably the Interstate Subscriber Charge). And honestly, the sound quality is better than our POTS services. The changeover was flawless, we have improved service -- and love the many new calling features that come with digital voice, not the least of which is on-line feature management via an Internet browser, a tablet/smart phone app, or the STB itself. All of our local calls are in speed dial (on the phone, not the system) so dialing ten digits is not an issue -- I just reprogrammed the numbers.
Oh and the battery thing (to get back to the original topic): we had a battery with POTS, and have it now with Digital Voice, and nothing changed -- including who replaces the battery after 1 year.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:39:12 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : Disagree of the mathematics?

If its $6 a month in tax savings, thats $72 a year. Over a 4 year span thats $288. Whats the cost of a replacement BBU battery again?

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:34:20 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : Its not superior. No wiring changes, it comes out of your ONT in the same manner. The only real difference is you have to dial area code for outgoing calls. Oh, and you lose the ability to receive collect calls. Have no inmates in my family.

So if you want to keep a regular line, go ahead, but youre just donating money.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:31:57 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted :

quote:
Actually I believe the battery is the phone companies responsibility, because it is their responsibility to ensure phone service remains during a power outage, just as it is with POTS. The fact that the power is now supplied via CPE rather than down the copper line from CO does not change that.

...
If they refuse to replace it. Complain to your PUC and your State Attorney General.

Obviously you dont realize that the majority of FiOS customers are now classified as DIGITAL VOICE. A few still are categorized as POTS/regulated over FiOS, then you can complain, but keeping it that way for the sole cost of a battery is absurd.

If you believe that Digital Voice should be regulated, then all the cable co phone, Vonage, even magic jack should all supply BBUs as well. Little hint, the Verizon ONT is technically their cable modem.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:28:03 EDT

JackBauer posted : Disagree on your mathematics comment.

I seriously was considering Freedom Essentials because its call quality would be superior to DV as it is not VOIP.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:24:55 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted :

quote:
Many people have Fios phone without it being digital voice.

Not too many anymore, most people switched to Digital Voice to save on taxes and fee's, and the yearly savings are a lot more than the cost of a battery.

So basically, if you keep the regulated line on FiOS, you are terrible at Mathematics.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:50:56 EDT

matcarl posted :

said by JackBauer:

Digital voice isn't regulated.

Many people have Fios phone without it being digital voice.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:02:31 EDT

JackBauer posted : Digital voice isn't regulated.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 03:24:23 EDT

NOYB posted :
It's different because it is regulated and 911 access requirements.

Automobile tires, batteries, wiper blades etc. is an extremely bad analogy.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 03:17:11 EDT

NOYB posted :

said by uresponsible:

So...With that reasoning, I guess that Verizon should also replace the batteries in your remote when they go bad.

No!!! Very bad analogy.

1) The STB/DVR is still operable via the buttons.
2) Remote is a convince not an emergency necessity for summoning help.
3) It is not considered the same level of emergency device as a phone for calling 911.
4) STB/DVR control is taken over by the emergency system when they want to send out alerts and info.
5) It is not under the same regulations as phone service and 911 access.

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Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:45:37 EDT

NOYB posted :
Actually I believe the battery is the phone companies responsibility, because it is their responsibility to ensure phone service remains during a power outage, just as it is with POTS. The fact that the power is now supplied via CPE rather than down the copper line from CO does not change that.

They know however that most people don't know and will just take their word for it and buy the replacement battery. Long as nobody says anything about it and pushes back they will get away with it. And it is money in their pocket. And once it is done long enough everyone will forget about it being the phone companies responsibility and then they have successfully created a defacto standard.

If they refuse to replace it. Complain to your PUC and your State Attorney General.

They just continue to erode away what customers perceive to be their responsibly. Until they are no longer responsible for anything except collecting the money. That is the game they are playing with customers.

It may take a tragedy and a lawsuit for them to get the message though.

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Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:15:38 EDT

rmckofke posted : I've had Fios for 4 1/2 years and only recently did I change the battery - for the very first time. I noticed that during hurricane Sandy, when the power went out the BBU would only last about an hour before beeping so I assumed that meant it was nearing its end-life anyway. Once the phone lines came back up and life got back to normal, I called them up for a new 2 year deal (which they gave me a great one, no increase in fees and more internet speed), they also offered to waive the charge on a replacement battery for me.

again, after 4+ years I don't see $32 to be an outrageous cost, you probably spend more on remote batteries if you could factor in amperage/size in relation to the BBU) and no on complains about not getting a Duracell discount.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:38:30 EDT

billhere posted :

said by hubrisnxs:

When you silence the battery, that only kills it for 24 hours.

quote:
The alarm can be silenced for 24 hours by pushing and holding the blue button on the front of the power supply for three seconds.

Yup, I've had the false negative on my replacement battery twice so far. It's a pain to get down on the floor to unplug, disconnect, wait. reconnect and replug.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:38:55 EDT

lijacobs posted :

said by vee130:

First off its regardless of how much a battery costs its the point. When do the extra fees stop, why is Verizon changing things and then later on down the line make their customers pay for them? Oh please about the more customers, the more the equipment costs, blah blah blah, these companies ALWAYS make money, it's just sad how they take advantage of their customers to fulfill their big quarter earnings. And just so you know that Verizon quoted me $38 + $ 9 for s/h.... And how is that fair when you can buy them online line as some people mentioned for around $20? So once again why should I be paying to maintain THEIR equipment? They used to do it but now they realized that was just another way for them to make more money. I look at my bills all the time and it just pisses me off that what I pay to have Verizon FIOS but I also have them as my cell phone provider, and they really want to nickel and dime me for the cost of a battery! So it's more about the point of the company doing the right thing for THEIR customers rather than the 'its only about $.28 per day' cost for a battery. It's just enough with their charges... We already pay enough to keep these companies very very rich... How about they cut us a break for a change?

You really sound soooo unhappy. The best thing that you could do to alleviate your anguish is to switch to another service provider. I'm sure that you'll be much happier.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:52:51 EDT

hubrisnxs posted : When you silence the battery, that only kills it for 24 hours.

quote:
The alarm can be silenced for 24 hours by pushing and holding the blue button on the front of the power supply for three seconds.

Sometimes it's a false negative so check by unplugging the AC power, disconnect th ebattery, and leave it disconnected two minutes, and then put it back together. If it stops beeping then it was just a false negative.

Otherwise you legitmately need a new battery

If you expect someone to replace your battery on principle, then I don't know what to tell ya. ALL battery's have warranty's, the TOS explicitly states how long the battery warranty is.

Do I wish they would replace it, sure.

Is it worth 12 dollars and a little elbow grease to avoid having a coronary and having to wait on hold with Customer service? I think so.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:28:18 EDT

rtcy posted :

said by zippoboy7:

said by matthewh16:

I don't know about you guys, but I just waited till I saw a tech across the street, walked up and said "Hey, you have a spare battery? Mines Dead", he said "Sure, here ya go". Free, no hassle. :D

That was the same experience I had with them on the first battery replacement. They replaced it again a few months back when I upgraded to 150/65 and they installed all new equipment.

As to the original point of this thread, if you are too cheep to spend ~$35 on a battery every 3-5 years then I wish you luck trying to find another option that will provide you what you need. The only suggestion that I have is you spend some real money and put in a standby generator so that you do not need a battery when the power fails as going forward that will be the only option to ensure you have continuous power.

here if you must lay down for Verizon and buy it your selves here is just one of many links

»www.apexbattery.com/apc-rbc43-7a···-rw.html

BTW i had a very nice tech over to fix my power supply, the wires inside the battery back up were loose and arching, called them up(actually it's been doing it for a while and I had to take a day off from work) but the gent put in a new power supply, new battery, and I told him I was having issues with the 6 year old router and that I use a silicon dust box (he saw it next to the router and I needed GIGABIT. voila I know have a new ver I router and I am a happy camper. that's rare for this grumpy old fart, but I am happy, the guy did a great job re-wiring the night mare I had from when I got my install 6 years ago and drilled into a water pipe. I wa supposed to call them back and rehang everything and never did till now.

and this is 14amp hour battery double size and double duration that I use on a unnamed company's equipment for alarm system backups to keep smart thieves on their toes

»www.apexbattery.com/scooterteq-6···ery.html

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:25:27 EDT

rtcy posted :

said by PoloDude:

Again,why are the Cable Cos not held to the same standard?

Dude you need a reboot, remove the cooler from your brain, put new silver paste to cunduct heat away from your logic center.

"because cable has a box hanging at a pole a couple of blocks from you with a big car battery in it, and then they send you a good OLD cable signal down a 20 or 30 year old coaxial cable tha probably has cracked insulation from ultra violet radiation to your house , therefore negating your need of a battery.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:17:51 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : Vee, if its that big an issue, switch to the cable co's that dont even provide a battery backup. Verizon isnt getting "very very rich" on Fios, in fact, they are barely breaking even with the product. They are certainly not making money on batteries, its an incredible cost for them to begin with.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:07:42 EDT

vee130 posted : First off its regardless of how much a battery costs its the point. When do the extra fees stop, why is Verizon changing things and then later on down the line make their customers pay for them? Oh please about the more customers, the more the equipment costs, blah blah blah, these companies ALWAYS make money, it's just sad how they take advantage of their customers to fulfill their big quarter earnings. And just so you know that Verizon quoted me $38 + $ 9 for s/h.... And how is that fair when you can buy them online line as some people mentioned for around $20? So once again why should I be paying to maintain THEIR equipment? They used to do it but now they realized that was just another way for them to make more money. I look at my bills all the time and it just pisses me off that what I pay to have Verizon FIOS but I also have them as my cell phone provider, and they really want to nickel and dime me for the cost of a battery! So it's more about the point of the company doing the right thing for THEIR customers rather than the 'its only about $.28 per day' cost for a battery. It's just enough with their charges... We already pay enough to keep these companies very very rich... How about they cut us a break for a change?

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:30:51 EDT

billhere posted : I had a corded phone hooked up for five years and never used it since we never had an outage over a couple hours in that time. If we have an extended outage we may be able to still use our cell phone in an emergency, depending on the extent of the outage.

I am not concerned about the battery cost. Amazon has one for well under $20. I replaced my battery last year after about five years. I am a bit concerned with the replacement procedure. I'm over 80 and it's tough to lie down on the floor to replace the battery. The box is mounted just above the baseboard in our family room. Actually getting down isn't the problem; it's getting up afterwards :(

I first tried turning off the sound but a day later the alarm started buzzing again.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:26:18 EDT

danclan posted : he meant for emergencies when power dies....not regular usage...

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:22:18 EDT

aaronwt posted :

said by mets18:

said by aaronwt:

Put your cordless phones on their own back up. I've been doing this since the 90's. And been able to use my cordless phones during a power outage.

Or just buy a regular old corded phone for $10 and keep it handy.

And be tethered to a line? I prefer to not use the phone if a corded phone is the option. I walk around and do other things while I'm on the phone. Which is difficult to do while tethered to the wall outlet.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:16:29 EDT

mets18 posted :

said by aaronwt:

Put your cordless phones on their own back up. I've been doing this since the 90's. And been able to use my cordless phones during a power outage.

Or just buy a regular old corded phone for $10 and keep it handy.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:59:30 EDT

anon posted :

said by PoloDude:

Again,why are the Cable Cos not held to the same standard?

It's called regulation - same reason POTS lines are taxed. Cable Cos are not regulated.

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:40:23 EDT

hubrisnxs posted : ALLLL this heartache and raised blood pressure, over a $12 dollar battery huh?

smh

Re: Verizon FIOS Battery Backup

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:39:47 EDT

ITALIAN926 posted : I skimmed through this so if the point is being repeated, I apologize.

The FiOS BBU battery has ALWAYS been the customers responsibility after one year, but the gray area is this: if someone has a regular , regulated phoneline (not digital voice) on FiOS, Verizon could be responsible for the battery. In NY, Ive heard that Verizon is regulated to provide at least 8 hours of battery backup for the phone service, whether its on copper or FiOS.

As an example, Verizon is migrating copper customers to FiOS, when they do this its NOT digital voice. (voice service only) Taxes and fee's are still the same, calling features, etc. Why would they be exempt from supplying 8 hours of Battery backup?

Now keep in mind, its not economical to keep a regulated phoneline over FioS, you will save a lot more on taxes and fee's by swithcing it to "digital voice" . These batteries can last as long as 6 years, thats like .25 cents a month for a new one. Set up a direct deposit savings account for your next battery. :)