Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Inherited system

I just inherited a pre-installed Vista20SE (i'm guessing) is identified by the scematic reference 20AMTE (AM100) by Ademco.
The system has been out of service for approximately 3 or 4 years.

I have replaced the transformer with a new one as well as the Back-up battery.

The system consists of the following:

(1) Wireless Motion detector (model not known).
(1) Wired Indoor Siren (very loud By the way)
(8) Wireless 5816 Door and Window sensors.
(1) 6139 Wired keypad
(1) Control board with a mounted wireless reciever w/ antenna ( in cabinet)

I am pretty good with technical terms and instructions as printed in all the manuals. However being a computer freak I guessing it will be easier to reprogram the system via a downloader. Can anyone provide me with a link to the software?

Or give me some pointers on how to start before i have to call my church buddie and begg for free services again lol.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Gregory

The software is kind of fussy about the modems it will work with. You can probably tweak most hardware based (not "winmodems") units to work, but unless you are well versed in modem configuration, it's going to be frustrating.

Unless the panel has been defaulted, all you will need to do is change the master codes and delete the existing dialing information. The configuration of the zones and devices are fixed. You might want to change some of the descriptors to suite yourself, but that's about it. The batteries in the transmitters are probably depleted as well.

You have the right keypad so that the programming is pretty straight forward. Just pay attention to what you are doing, and use the # function to verify all changes, especially to the master/program code before you exit programming mode.

Don't try to get fancy, initially, Ademco panels have a few curve balls for the novice.

I agree completely with everything MrRon said. Getting the Downloader to work with just any modem is a major pain. Ademco's software is not as bad as most, but it's still tough.

And, as he said, most of the programming is already done. Just change your codes. Besides, the AMTE in the model number specifies that it is built for SecurityLink (if I am remembering correctly - it's one of those companies anyway) and the software may require an overlay to work properly. Good luck getting that - just getting the software is tough enough for non-dealers (btw, it's <i>only</i> for dealers, so it's not readily available anywhere online.)

Hope that helps. Just read the manuals closely and you'll be able to change everything ok.

Good luck!