Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Compass Direct-Wire w/Lynx REN

I've been trying to direct-wire connect with the modem built in to my pc but apparently it's not compatible with Compass. I tried most of the modems on the list in the Compass hoping for a possible match.

I have a question about the CSID. The panel has been keyboard programmed for sensors and no account numbers. I don't see anything about CSID in the manuals for the Lynx. I have the Compass set to download a CSID to the panel if I ever get connected to it. I'm wondering if the panel might be rejecting the connection due to some programming that it has or doesn't have in it (account number or something else?) or if the modem is just not compatible?

I am selecting first-time connect, the telco connect option, and entering CODE + #1. The panel says CC for a while as it tries to connect but it eventually times out. I know my best bet would be to get a compatible modem but I'm trying to rule out other possibilities before I do.

to connect a wire directly from the computer's modem to the alarm panel????
If that's how it's connected, I don't think it will work that way. The reason is a little complicated, but basically because neither the modem or alarm panel generates the same signals as the phone company would such as line voltage, dial tone, etc. You may be able to do this if you bought/made/found a "telco line simulator" or something similair. These devices are made to test telephones, modems and fax machines, but could also be used to do what you want. I don't work in this field, and my phone skills are really rusty, so I'd appreciate a second opinion on this. You may also need to reverse one end of the cable....again I would need a second opinion. Also, take this for what it's worth, but in the magazine, Nuts and Volts, August 2004 issue, in the Electronics Q&A Column, Mr T.J. Byers answers a question about connecting two telephones inside a house for use as an intercom. His solution uses a power supply, voltage regulator and a capacitor, unfortunately I don't have any way of posting the article here. It's also a little too long for me to type out and post. Maybe check your library and see if they subscribe? I hope that this helps!

He's correct. A simple wire to wire connection will not work. You would have to dial into the unit from another telephone line. The only panels I know of that has a way to rig a psuedo direct connect are the Caddx panels, and it's kind of hit and miss for whether it will work.

There may be other ways to rig other panels, but I doubt that it will work for the Compass software, which is finiky about modems to begin with.

Of course, you can also do a telco on the system. This is what we use to connect to panels in the house (from the house - without dialing-in.) Basically, this just tells the panel that you are already on the line with the system and to not look for dial-tone, just pick-up the line and connect.

However, as MrRon mentioned, you'll probably have problems anyway since not just any modem will work (and certainly not most 56k or modern modems.)

There's nothing in Compass you can't do through the keypad anyway, you're much better off just skipping the downloader and keypad programming the system. Lynx is pretty straight-forward with programming anyway.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the help. I found an old 1200 baud modem and was able to connect with it, but the panel keeps timing out or something. The modem is not on the list. I downloaded some RF zones and voice info to the panel but the vocabulary in the Compass doesn't agree with the Lynx REN. I chose the right panel in the software but the version must be different. Only REV1 is supported by my Compass.

I can stay connected long enough to do one function (download either zones or system information, etc.) It usually stays on long enough to accomplish that and then the panel leaves CC. I hear a relay click that I assume must be the line seize relay. I note that I've seen instructions that say to give 12 volts from a battery when direct-connecting to a Lynx but they say to apply it to the CIA modem and not the panel. Maybe this gets re-routed by their modem and keeps the relay active? Anybody know what that 12 volts is for?

I'm just doing this because I like to mess around with things that I don't know anything about. The Lynx was working fine before I got the bright idea to try to program it with the Compass. I probably will end up going back to the keypad if I don't get locked out by playing with the software. Any ideas on why the panel won't stay in CC would be appreciated. Thanks again.