The Doorbell
This realy isn't about a housemate but sort of related. I've not long moved into a new flat. I'm always waiting for parcels or packets to be delivered. I vaguely remember one of those remote carry around doorbell things lurking in a kitchen cupboard. I check it out and its the same as the one on the front door. Good I don't have to buy one.
Now I wont miss my parcel.
But it keeps going off at odd times of the day or night. and there's never anybody there. Rushing down the stairs thinking it's my parcel turn up. or rushing to the window at 3am to catch them running away, I'm always too slow to catch them.
I live on a main road so put it down to kids. This morning I go over the road to the shop and take it with me, and it goes off, I look back and there's nobody there.

I've now worked it out.

Next door is the local office for the Samaritans. That would account for the bell going off in the night.

On looking closer they have the same doorbell.

So to sumarise.

Inadverdantly I'm being harrased by the Samaritans!
(Pill Popper Thank you Sasha Shulgin, Tue 3 Mar 2009, 12:53, 5 replies)

Solve your problems with Physics
I've had a similar problem. Probable causes are either:

A/ A low battery in either the bell-push (most likely) or the sounder unit (less likely) is causing false alarms. Try replacing the battery in the outside bit first, will probably take one of those small 12v batteries. DO NOT TRY TO TEST WITH TONGUE.

B/ Both units are using the same radio frequency, or ID code. So your button will sound both bells, and their button sounds both bells. If you're lucky, there will be a series of DIP-switches inside both the bell-push and the sounder unit. These can be set to a different combination, hopefully eliminating interference (unless you stumble onto another neighbours combination).

Good luck, hope this helps.
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Tue 3 Mar 2009, 13:07, closed)

I know what's wrong
I removed the bell push from the door. and it still goes off. I'm just about to play about and change the frequency now.
(Pill Popper Thank you Sasha Shulgin, Tue 3 Mar 2009, 13:19, closed)

Top stuff
Keep us posted - I need closure on this anecdote! :)

Edit - But, do take care. I chose the wrong setting, and ended up opening a trans-dimensional portal to the Xen border world. Typical! Took *ages* to clean up after that.
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Tue 3 Mar 2009, 13:48, closed)

Can you long-jump now?
And do you have a battle-worn crowbar?
(Helixdaunting, Wed 4 Mar 2009, 1:10, closed)

why yes.
But bizzarely, I can't sprint very far if i'm using a flashlight.
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Wed 4 Mar 2009, 15:34, closed)