Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Existing ADEMCO Vista-10SE Inadequate. Upgrade Advise Needed!
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bouchat58
05-09-09, 02:20 PM
:madhell:Thank everyone for their assistance on this.
6 years ago moved in our home that on the surface appeared to be prewired for every possible future concern in addition to an installed ADEMCO Vista-10SE alarm system. The alarm system has an upstairs and downstairs interior wired motion detecter, one
interior siren upstairs(totally inadequate and useless as deterent), two downstairs wired interior windows and one wired garage window. Despite having an approx. 5000 sq.ft two-story home with front door, two 1st story rear doors, 1 garage entry door, 2 garage exterior doors and three single car auto garage doors, not a single door is wired. I only last month was able to activate and test the system and it quickly was obvious it was a joke. I'm an electronic novice as you will notice. The control panel -SAVS10SECE D345,
has a sticker stating E-2(NEW) programming is centrally-upstairs located and contains a 12V battery, AVD-45b auto dialer and currently uses the first 6 pairs of the 10 contacts(?). We have hardwired smoke detecters thru out the home and would like to link them with the alarm system. An exterior LOUD siren is needed without question. I don't know what the current system is capable of but we'd feel much better with 3-4 more motion detecters, 1-2 additional interior sirens and whatevr doors should be involved. Plenty of the home seems unprotected. The garage exterior doors need attention along with motion detecters in the garage. I'd really like to know my limitations using current config are prior to purchases. Every alram professional has indicated upgrades are needed but their bids are simply off the charts and unaffordable. They are charging us 100% plus over what I've found on the internet. Sorry for the length of this but being inexperienced I don't know how to explain things any other way. I'm at (please; per forum policy, no email addresses in open fourms, it attracts spambots) if that helps. Any advise or support is greatly appreciated.
6 years ago moved in our home that on the surface appeared to be prewired for every possible future concern in addition to an installed ADEMCO Vista-10SE alarm system. The alarm system has an upstairs and downstairs interior wired motion detecter, one
interior siren upstairs(totally inadequate and useless as deterent), two downstairs wired interior windows and one wired garage window. Despite having an approx. 5000 sq.ft two-story home with front door, two 1st story rear doors, 1 garage entry door, 2 garage exterior doors and three single car auto garage doors, not a single door is wired. I only last month was able to activate and test the system and it quickly was obvious it was a joke. I'm an electronic novice as you will notice. The control panel -SAVS10SECE D345,
has a sticker stating E-2(NEW) programming is centrally-upstairs located and contains a 12V battery, AVD-45b auto dialer and currently uses the first 6 pairs of the 10 contacts(?). We have hardwired smoke detecters thru out the home and would like to link them with the alarm system. An exterior LOUD siren is needed without question. I don't know what the current system is capable of but we'd feel much better with 3-4 more motion detecters, 1-2 additional interior sirens and whatevr doors should be involved. Plenty of the home seems unprotected. The garage exterior doors need attention along with motion detecters in the garage. I'd really like to know my limitations using current config are prior to purchases. Every alram professional has indicated upgrades are needed but their bids are simply off the charts and unaffordable. They are charging us 100% plus over what I've found on the internet. Sorry for the length of this but being inexperienced I don't know how to explain things any other way. I'm at (please; per forum policy, no email addresses in open fourms, it attracts spambots) if that helps. Any advise or support is greatly appreciated.
MrRonFL
05-09-09, 03:36 PM
That's a simple and basic 6 zone alarm system(there aren't 10 zones on this system) and it sounds like they installed the typical mass-market package. The voice dialer is the only oddball addition.
Your best bet is to upgrade to something like a Vista 20p (you would only need to replace the motherboard and possibly add a 2-line alpha keypad if you don't already have one).
If all of your openings are indeed pre-wired, then you can just add contacts as needed. And no, standard hardwired smoke alarms cannot easily be connected to an alarm system.
Read through the FAQ sticky and look at the various archived posts to get a feel for what you are getting into.
Your best bet is to upgrade to something like a Vista 20p (you would only need to replace the motherboard and possibly add a 2-line alpha keypad if you don't already have one).
If all of your openings are indeed pre-wired, then you can just add contacts as needed. And no, standard hardwired smoke alarms cannot easily be connected to an alarm system.
Read through the FAQ sticky and look at the various archived posts to get a feel for what you are getting into.
bouchat58
05-10-09, 08:45 PM
Thx so much for your reply. the info is helpful. What exactly is FAQ sticky? Will purchase upgraded Ademco 20 control board only along with 6160 keypad.
bouchat58
05-10-09, 08:48 PM
Sorry. will the 20 Vista upgrade motherboard be capable of handling wireless accessories and isn't there a wireless attchment needed to use wireless?
MrRonFL
05-10-09, 09:03 PM
The FAQ sticky at the top of the topic list titled: "Alarm Forum FAQ: Please read before posting".
If you want wireless you have the choice of either spending a bit more and getting a RF model keypad that has the wireless receiver built in, or getting the additional wireless reciever module.
If you want wireless you have the choice of either spending a bit more and getting a RF model keypad that has the wireless receiver built in, or getting the additional wireless reciever module.