Why Did They Switch Batteries on the Resideo ProSeries?

The reason Resideo switched batteries on the Pro Series panels is due to battery availability. They opted to use a higher capacity 3-cell battery at release because it was available. Once the planned, 2-cell battery was available, they switched. Both batteries supply at least a 24hr backup.

In 2020, amid all of the other pandemic issues everyone was dealing with, the world began seeing breakdowns in the supply chain around the globe. This rang especially true for alarm system manufacturers.

Resideo (formerly Honeywell) was not excluded. At the time the ProSeries panels were released, they were unable to get the desired (2) cell PROA7BAT2, so instead, they decided to use a 3-cell PROA7BAT3. The PROA7BAT3 is a higher-capacity battery and is, therefore, more costly.

The PROA7BAT3 is a 3-cell, 3.6VDC, 7800mAh battery, while the PROA7BAT2 is a (2) cell, 3.6VDC, 5200mAh battery. Resideo states that both batteries will provide at least 24 hours of standby power when primary power is lost. Beyond the higher cost of the (3) cell battery, Resideo states that it is overkill, and not needed to achieve the 24-hour backup which is required to meet UL and ETL requirements. All of the ProSeries panels are ETL Listed for Household Fire and Burglar, and Commercial Burglar Warning Control Units. They conform to UL Standard 985, 1023, 1637, 2017, and 1610 and are also certified to ULC Standard S545, C1023.

The Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS was the first ProSeries panel released. It was released with the PROA7BAT3. Later came the Honeywell Home PROA7, which is a similar panel, minus the Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Alexa, and Image Sensor support. WIFI and Z-Wave can be added by adding a PROWIFIZW module, or WIFI only can be added with a PROWIFI module. Around this same time they released an identical panel as the PROA7PLUS, but with different labeling. This was the Resideo PROA7PLUSC, it has Resideo branding on the front instead of Honeywell Home. They also released an identical panel as the PROA7, with Resideo branding. This was the Resideo PROA7C.

All of these ProSeries panels supported the same battery packs. Original releases included the PROA7BAT3. Some labels on these batteries show 7500mAh minimum capacity and 7800mAh typical capacity. Others we've seen will only list the 7500mAh capacity rating. This shows how manufacturers were scrambling amidst the supply chain issues. Sometime around July of 2021 is when Resideo began including the smaller, more cost-effective PROA7BAT2 with new panels. They not only stopped using the 3-cell battery but also stopped selling it entirely. There is no longer an option to purchase this from them, which is why Alarm Grid has discontinued it.

The 2-cell PROA7BAT2 is touted to be a more than capable battery and will provide a 24-hour backup when the panel loses AC power. Its label shows it is rated at 3.65VDC, 5000mAh minimum with 5200mAh being typical. This battery meets all the requirements and continues to be available for sale. The PROA7BAT2 meets all the requirements for the aforementioned agency listings.