How Do I Replace the Battery in the 2GIG GC Touch?

To replace the battery in the 2GIG GC Touch, power the system down and separate the panel front from the back. Remove the old battery and install the new one, then power up. Safely dispose of the old battery. Once the new battery is fully charged, it's ready to power the panel when needed.

The GC Touch panel (AT&T LTE or Verizon LTE) uses a rechargeable battery mounted inside the panel to provide backup power in the event of an AC power loss. Over time, this battery will lose its ability to hold a charge, especially if the site has frequent power interruptions. When that happens, you may see low battery messages and the panel may shut down sooner than expected during a power outage. When this happens, it's time to replace the battery.

If primary power is lost and battery voltage drops below a level that is sufficient to provide for normal panel operation, the system will shut down to preserve data. When it powers back up, the following will occur:

1. The panel will return to the same arming/bypass state it was in at power down.
2. It will ignore signals from all sensors for at least 60 seconds to allow the system to settle.
3. It will remember its last arming state for at least 14 days of power loss.

Before you handle the battery, make sure the system is disarmed and that no alarms are active. Unplug the power adapter from the wall outlet. You will then open the housing, disconnect the battery connector from the panel, and remove the old battery pack from its compartment. Place the new battery in the same slot with the battery's cable connector (male) plugged firmly into the panel's receptacle (female). The battery connector and receptacle are configured so that you can only plug the battery in correctly. It will not connect with polarity reversed.

Most users and technicians can complete this task with basic tools and a little care. Have a small screwdriver ready for the set screws, work slowly, and avoid pulling on any internal wiring. Once the new battery is in place, the panel will automatically charge it whenever the DC power adapter is connected.

1. Power down the panel. Confirm the system is disarmed then unplug the power adapter from the wall outlet. Wait a few seconds so the electronics inside the panel can settle before you open the case.
2. Loosen the set screws. At the bottom of the panel, use a small screwdriver to loosen the two set screws that hold the front cover to the back plate. Support the panel so that it does not pull on the mounting hardware.
3. Remove the front cover. Gently pull the lower edge of the front housing straight forward, then lift it off the top latches, and place the cover face down on a soft surface so the screen does not get scratched.
4. Locate and disconnect the battery. In the upper right corner of the front housing, with the panel facing away from you, find the battery pack and its small connector. Grip the plug at the connector and pull it straight out of the socket to disconnect the battery from the board. You may need to use a fingernail or small screwdriver to hold the panel's battery connector down so that you don't pull it away from the main printed circuit board (PCB).
5. Remove the old battery. Use the molded groove beside the battery to pry it up carefully from the compartment, then lift the pack out while keeping the attached wires clear of other parts inside the housing.
6. Install the new battery. Place the new battery pack into the compartment using the same orientation as the old one, tuck the wires into the channel, and press the connector into the matching socket until it is fully seated.
7. Reattach the front cover. Lift the front housing back to the wall, hook the top edge onto the latches of the back plate, swing the bottom down and press the front cover into place. Tighten the two set screws until the case is snug.
8. Restore power and test. Plug the power adapter back into the outlet and allow the panel to boot up. Confirm that any low battery warnings clear after a charging period. Give the panel at least 4 hours, and up to 24 hours, for the battery to fully charge.

After the battery has been replaced and the panel is up and running, give it time to fully recharge the new battery pack. During the next outage, the system should remain powered for a longer period, and you should no longer see recurring low battery messages related to the internal backup battery.