Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - CADDX Ranger 8980: Master Code Reset?

I have a Ranger 8980 along with 9050 keypads. Is there a way to reset the master code? We moved to a different house awhile back, and I can't find anything that tells me the master code (although I have the 8980/9050 manuals and hand-written zone descriptions).

Thanks very much,
Phillip

Yes, but only if the installer code built into either of the keypads has never been changed.

From the 9050 keypads enter (try both individually):
C 00 9050

If it displays:
Program
1=Keypad 2=Panel

Press 2, then press 930# and let us know.

If either keypad will let you into programming we can walk you through it. It's not difficult, but not intuitive.

Thanks very much. If I do get into programming mode as you described below, should I do something to back out since I'll have to come back and discuss subsequent steps with you? I don't know if the unit will exit programming mode after some inactivity, but I didn't want anything to happen if it just stays in programming mode (vulnerable to young children! :).

Phillip

Ok, I couldn't stand it and had to try your suggestion. I got through most of it. The C 00 9050 seemed to work. I then pressed 2 for panel. That brought up the following:

Location= 000
Data= 1

I then typed 930#, but that didn't seem to do anything. I believe that one beep occurred, but that's it.

Phillip

The 930# was supposed to be the exit from programming. By now it should have timed out by itself, so as long as you didn't get antsy and start pushing keys at random it's no big deal.

I have the instructions for the 9060 keypad, so the exit code _may_ be different. The installer manual for the 9050 keypad is harder to find, even GE, which owns the Caddx brand doesn't have it in the database. I'll try to find it.

In any case:

C 00 9050
select panel programming

The data displayed for location 000 is the first digit of the master code. Press # to advance locations and get the rest of the digits.

Next: Press 028# This is the first digit of the _installer code_
keep pressing # to get the rest of the installer code.

Finally press 930# to exit program mode

If it doesn't exit, simply walk away for a few minutes. In about 5 minutes it will automatically exit program mode.

Write those codes down!

Now you can use the standard user level procedure in the user manual to change your master code.

Ranger 8980 manual - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?q=Ranger+8980+manual&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBF)

This search result will get you both the user manual and the installer manual.

Thanks for the info. I probably should have mentioned that I have all of the instruction manuals. "Ranger 8980 Operator's Manual", "Ranger 9050 LCD", and the "CADDX 9050 LCD keypad installation manual". (They are all pretty thin manuals.) Anyway, after seeing another msg board post, I decided to just try the factory default master code of 1234. Amazingly, this worked. The system armed, and I quickly pressed 1234 again to disarm. I then typed 9713, and it went into some other programming mode. So, all of the codes appear to be in the default state.

Now that I've seen your latest response, I now know how to interpret the location/data mode you got me into. That agrees with the 1234, and I also see 9713 in positions 28-31. I guess I got lucky. All other locations contain an F, so I guess that means they aren't active.

So, do locations 0-3 correspond to User 01 and also the Master Code? If I want to change the Master Code, do I use User 01? This 9050 manual isn't clear on this, but I think I read it somewhere else.

BTW, the exit code is 230# for the 9050.

Thanks again,
Phillip

Ah! the 9050 uses the default exit code for the panel. I'll note that.

Yes, the master code on all Caddx (and their Networx descendants) is user 1 (which every version of their user and installer manuals has always been a little vague about...)

It sounds like your system was either never changed from the factory defaults, or got defaulted.

The fact that all of the manuals were there leads me to suspect the former.

It sounds like you have everything except the actual 8980 installer manual (which is on that search result).

Yeah, I don't think my system got defaulted, because one of the two 9050's contains custom text for each of the 8 zones (the other keypad just contains the default "Zone 01", etc).

Do you know which of the following is the correct 8980 installer manual for me? They strangely seem to contain mostly the same info, but one is 28 pages long and the other is 38 pages.

http://www.sdilink.com/GE%20Manuals/Ranger%208980%20Install.pdf

http://www.baipeaceofmind.com/Technicians/Files/Manuals/Caddx/Ranger8980.pdf

Thanks alot for your help!

I now see that one of my window zones is faulting, and it looks like the window itself is missing the little white magnet (?) that is typically installed there. Any idea how I can get my hands on a replacement?

Phillip

Get the longer one. Some versions of the PDF are missing graphics like the wiring diagrams of the panel.

Any of the online vendors that sell alarm hardware will have door/window contact sets. A few sell the magnets without the switch.

Thanks alot. I noticed that the 9713 code takes me directly to the mode where "location=000, data=1" is displayed. "Go To Program Mode"? Anyway, is this essentially just a short-cut to the other way you showed me with "C 00 9050, then press 2 for Panel"? It's strange that there seems to be several different ways to accomplish the same thing with this system. You've got the master code, then the 9050 code, then the 9713 code. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the system supports two different keypads.

Is there a way to bypass a zone and make it "sticky"? I have to bypass that window zone to arm the system, but it looks like that bypass setting goes away after I disarm. I seem to have to re-bypass the window each time I arm the system.

I have two glass break sensors (upstairs and downstairs) tied into one zone. Is there any way to test these sensors to see if they are working?

Phillip

Yes, the 9713 is go to program. In general, it is much easier to use the 9050 procedure because it acts like the dedicated programmer. The programming syntax is very different if you go to program directly. It's all in the "how to program instructions" in the installer manual.

Thanks. Can you help with the bypass question or testing the glass break sensors?

Phillip

No, on the Ranger panels, the bypass will always clear on disarm (most panels in fact). Just replace the magnet. They cost about 6 bucks for a set.

Some glassbreaks have a specific test mode, but you need the installer manual to know the setup. I, personally, use a large ring of keys jangled at close range to trip acoustic glassbreaks, but it takes a bit of practice. I know people who use a handful of coins in an empty aluminum drink can.

Thanks. Can you point me to a good website where I can find the magnet?

Websearch using the phrase "alarm contacts" and pick one that you think you can trust.