Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Interesting motion sensor update question.

Okay, here is my problem. I have a rather old system, The manual I am looking at says ADEMCO vista 4120XM on the cover. When it was installed I had contacts on the windows and doors and window bugs on the slider and a basement window. Well, I am replacing the slider and really don't want to use the window bugs. They look out of place and the dogs insist on chewing on them!

SO is it possible, utilizing the existing wiring for the window bugs to wire in motion sensor? I realize that the window will have to be broke and entry made before the alarm sounds, but in all honesty if I am home I will or the dogs will hear the window break. If I am not home, the few seconds between the window break and the entry will not matter. The dogs are not an issue as they are crated when I am not home.

So what does everyone think? If this is possible any suggestion for a motion sensor? I know this is challenging but I figure you guys are up for it! Let me know what info about the system you may to determine if it can work. Thanks in advance!

Motion detectors are 4-wire devices. They need power, as well as the alarm zone wiring, so unless they happened to wire those shock sensors (which is what I assume you mean by "window bug") with 4 conductor wire, that's not going to work without running new cables.

What you can do, since you are pulling the sliding door out (for a french door, I'm guessing) is use the window bug wiring to run proper hidden door contacts before you trim out the new door.

Well french doors are an option, but not definite. Upon further review it would be very simple to install a new wire. The basement under the room is unfinished so I can install the motion sensor in several locations that would give me coverage of the entire living room area which is the only area on this level, besides the kitchen, which one would have to go through the living room anyhow to reach anywhere else in the house. SO if I run a new wire is this possible how would it be wired and what type of sensor? I would really like to do this myself, one to keep down cost, but mostly because I find this kinda thing really interesting!

If it will be taking the place of the existing shock sensor zone, you run a 4 conductor cable to your desired location. Old style four conductor telephone wire is perfect for the job (any 4-cond wire will work, but go with 22 gauge or heavier, because the thinner stuff breaks too easily) Two of the conductors (usually red/black) will go to the aux power terminals in the panel head end which are the same that the red and black for keypad power are connected to. The other two connect to the zone inputs currently being used for the shock sensors (polarity doesn't really matter, it's just being connected to a relay).

For the motion sensor, pick any of the major brand names like Optex, Honeywell/Ademco, DSC, Sentrol, etc. At any given price range, they are all pretty much interchangeable. If you can afford a little more, you would be well served to spend the money on the "dual-tech" models that use both IR and microwave, because they have a far lower false alarm rate.

Great so I dont have to change zones etc. Just hook the motion sensor up to the wires and its the same zone? I am assuming that the board doesnt know or care what type of activation device is on the end of the wire? Thanks for all your help. I am looking forward to how it turns out. I will keep you updated.

It doesn't really matter, especially if you only really arm the system when you aren't home. But it's better to change the zone type to an interior zone, which will allow you to more easily bypass the motion while arming the doors and windows.

Thanks I will let you know how it all works out.