Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - ADT Safewatch 2000

I have a similar problem to Swetz - new home with ADT Safewatch 2000 (even came with a manual tucked into the control box!)

I'm trying to learn the installer code so I can begin tinkering with it. Tried the power down/power up, *# command but also got 'd1'. When I entered #20 just to see what would happen, it announced it was ARMED. Uh oh. Pulled the plug and hope someone could help me out. This board is a really great find for hobbyists!

EDIT: Sorry I just realized the posts are in reverse (bottom to top) - The manual lists this as Model SAVS20ADTCN-1.

Great news!

I found another resource at this page:
http://forum.homesecuritystore.com/index.php?board=2;action=printpage;threadid=955

It helped out with one point of clarification and I'll give it here again to help others.

When I reset my Safewatch Pro 2000 (unplugging batter and AC) it read 'd1' on the panel. I pressed * and # AT THE SAME TIME (as opposed to one after the other which I did the first time). This gave me the '20' display and I punched in #-2-0 (one after the other). It read out the installer code and I was able to do everything as described.

Even though I managed to figure this out on my own - keep up the good work - this is an invaluable resource and may be the only one of its kind.

Hmmm.....

So I thought I successfully programmed a new code, but the new code won't seem to arm the system. Any way to double check this worked?

Try using the code to turn on the chime feature [code] + 9.

The one thing that people mess up trying to program codes into Vista series panels is that they hesitate too long between keystrokes. More than a couple of seconds between any keypress will kick you out of code programming, and the panel will ignore you.

Also, if you are using the Vista 20se manual (which the SW 2000 is a modified clone of), there is a typo. The correct keystrokes for changing the master code using the installer code is: [installer code] + 8 + 02 + [new master code].

This just feels so close - I can't believe it's not working! :wall:

Thank you MrRonFL for your quick response. Here's what is happening:

I can punch in [installer code] then 8 then 02 then [new code]. It gives me a lower beep than when I hit the buttons (which I assume is a good thing - like mission accomplished)

The chime function is already activated on my alarm, so when I punch in [new code] then 9, nothing happens (should this toggle on and off)

Any next steps for suggestion?

Bizarre but good news - some progress.

So on a whim I tried this:

[installer code] then 9 = chime was toggled!!!

then, excited I tried this:

[installer code] then ARMED = system ARMED

then, mildly panicked I tried this:

[installer code] then OFF = system READY

phew!

So a question - why does my system display the code used by the owners when it should be displaying the installer's code? I got this code from the keypad after unplugging power supply and holding * and # together, then #20. Doesn't this display the installer code?

So a question - why does my system display the code used by the owners when it should be displaying the installer's code? I got this code from the keypad after unplugging power supply and holding * and # together, then #20. Doesn't this display the installer code?


Nope, doing the above will read back the MASTER code.

Sorry Mark, but you are in errror. On the older ademco panels like a 4110, the _master_ code and the _installer_ code are one and the same. On a Vista panel the installer code is a separate item.

On Vista series panels, the installer code _can_ arm and disarm the system, but only if the installer code is used to do the arming. If the system is armed using any other code or device (like a keyfob), the installer code cannot _disarm_ the system!

One thing, you cannot enter a code that is already in use in another slot(you cannot have the installer code, and the master user code as the same number, for example). Try entering something simple, like 1234, for testing purposes, once you get a grip on the interface, you can change it later.

By your description, it _sounded_ like you correctly entered the new master code. A single beep following the sequence is normally indication of acceptance.

Then I'm baffled. Here's what I did exactly.

-Unplug AC & battery
-plug in again and race to keypad
-hold * and # at the same time
-when it displayed '20', punch in #-2-0
-it displayed:
05
09
09
05
then I hit *-9-9 to exit programming mode

Next steps:

I punch in 5-9-9-5-8-0-2-1-2-3-4 and hear a lower beep in response.

Then to test, I punch in 1-2-3-4-9 and the chimes don't change.

I punch in 1-2-3-4-2 (labelled AWAY) and the system doesn't arm.

I punch in 5-9-9-5-9 and the chimes setting turns off (I can repeat to bring them back on)

I punch in 5-9-9-5-2 and the system arms (I can also disarm this way).

So I understand that the commands would work with the installer code, but why doesn't 1234 do anything?

New discovery!

I just found a sticker on the main circuit that says 'New E2 programming'. Does this ring any bells?

EDIT: It also has two wires that look somewhat like antennae sticking out of the top of the control panel. I can keep shoveling out information if it'll help - I just read the entire Vista-20SE manual and it reinforced everything you've all told me thus far.

The e2 programming is standard on vista panels above Vista 10SE, I believe. It means nothing. The antennas sticking out from the top means that you have a wireless receiver for wireless zones and or keyfobs. To change the code on this panel press: code+8+02+new code+new code. This must be done without any delay, if you pause more that 1 sec. it will abort the change.

By your description, that code should have taken. That final beep is the indicator that your keystrokes were accepted. All I can suggest is to try it again with a different 4 digit code. Also, try using 01 instead of 02 for the code slot. There are, if I recall correctly, versions of this system with the ADT modification that had slightly different addresses for the code locations (The 20se, for example is a 2 partition system, the SW2000 is not a partition capable system).

Status Report: It worked!

I tried entering the code twice as per kcxj's suggestion but the acceptance beep came mid-way through entering the code the second time.

Hitting 01 worked though. Here's the sequence I used:

[installer code] + 8 + 01 + [new code]

Got the acceptance beep and now the new code arms and disarms the system. Next on the list - disabling the dialer function. I know its in here somewhere but if someone wanted to nudge me in the right direction... :)

Thanks for all your help.

It's in the FAQ for this forum: *41* and *42*

After many frustrating hours of trying the procedures listed in the user manuals (and in so many posts on this forum) I finally discovered that my panel is "different" to the standard ADT SW2000 and Ademco Vista 20SE.

The ADT Safewatch 2000 that's been installed in my house has software that needs the leading zero's to be dropped off the user code addresses.

If you have an ADT and are frustrated that the procedures everybody explains dont work on your box - try leaving off the leading zeros on the code addresses - it works on mine.


instead of using 02 for master use "2"
instead of using 03 for the first user use "3"

i.e.
[install code] 8 02 [new mastercode]
becomes
[install code] 8 2 [new mastercode]

and for user codes
[mastercode] 8 03 [user code]
becomes
[mastercode] 8 3 [user code]

To enter Installer mode only a single 0 is required
[installer code] 8 0
(not 800)

I hope this saves somebody the hours that I spent finding it out.

JJ