Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Simon XT - alarm screens possible?
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firemonkey
10-13-09, 07:02 PM
I am trying to build a comprehensive alarm system, based on the following conditions:
-one story house
-10 windows that will be replaced with vinyl double hung soon.
-Front door, door to garage, and French doors leading to sunrooom
I keep my windows open for ventilation in the cooler months (florida) and it seems like the easiest way to handle securing all of these double hung windows will be with alarm screens. My wife wants to be able to arm the system at night, and feel safer that intruders cannot enter the kids room. I want to be able to leave the windows open when i leave for a few hours and still have a secure perimeter.
The system I was favoring is a Simon XT, so that I can use the Alarm.com interface, and video features. Any alarm screens i can find online have wired connections. Are they available for a GE wireless system? If not, any other recommended panels that could support them?
-one story house
-10 windows that will be replaced with vinyl double hung soon.
-Front door, door to garage, and French doors leading to sunrooom
I keep my windows open for ventilation in the cooler months (florida) and it seems like the easiest way to handle securing all of these double hung windows will be with alarm screens. My wife wants to be able to arm the system at night, and feel safer that intruders cannot enter the kids room. I want to be able to leave the windows open when i leave for a few hours and still have a secure perimeter.
The system I was favoring is a Simon XT, so that I can use the Alarm.com interface, and video features. Any alarm screens i can find online have wired connections. Are they available for a GE wireless system? If not, any other recommended panels that could support them?
GEGUY
10-13-09, 08:10 PM
I am trying to build a comprehensive alarm system, based on the following conditions:
-one story house
-10 windows that will be replaced with vinyl double hung soon.
-Front door, door to garage, and French doors leading to sunrooom
I keep my windows open for ventilation in the cooler months (florida) and it seems like the easiest way to handle securing all of these double hung windows will be with alarm screens. My wife wants to be able to arm the system at night, and feel safer that intruders cannot enter the kids room. I want to be able to leave the windows open when i leave for a few hours and still have a secure perimeter.
The system I was favoring is a Simon XT, so that I can use the Alarm.com interface, and video features. Any alarm screens i can find online have wired connections. Are they available for a GE wireless system? If not, any other recommended panels that could support them?
Wire the screens to GE wireless sensors, which in turn sends the signal via RF to the panel.
-one story house
-10 windows that will be replaced with vinyl double hung soon.
-Front door, door to garage, and French doors leading to sunrooom
I keep my windows open for ventilation in the cooler months (florida) and it seems like the easiest way to handle securing all of these double hung windows will be with alarm screens. My wife wants to be able to arm the system at night, and feel safer that intruders cannot enter the kids room. I want to be able to leave the windows open when i leave for a few hours and still have a secure perimeter.
The system I was favoring is a Simon XT, so that I can use the Alarm.com interface, and video features. Any alarm screens i can find online have wired connections. Are they available for a GE wireless system? If not, any other recommended panels that could support them?
Wire the screens to GE wireless sensors, which in turn sends the signal via RF to the panel.
MrRonFL
10-13-09, 08:23 PM
GE has a couple of transmitter models (60-362 and 60-641) that accept hardwired inputs. The question is to whether the Simon XT accepts them. They aren't on the list in the install manual, but there are a number of things that are compatible that aren't.
In any case, the same transmitters work with Simon 3, Concord and Networx.
The Ademco family has similar transmitters.
In any case, the same transmitters work with Simon 3, Concord and Networx.
The Ademco family has similar transmitters.
firemonkey
10-13-09, 09:33 PM
Thanks! Its good to know that it is possible. Now i need to find a local source, and see what the screens will cost to see if it is practical.
Do either of you have any experience with the screens? How well will they hold up in the Orlando area? Any comments or insight for/against my plan?
Do either of you have any experience with the screens? How well will they hold up in the Orlando area? Any comments or insight for/against my plan?
MrRonFL
10-14-09, 05:44 AM
Properly made alarm screens will last a good long time (unless you have a cat that likes to hang on the window screen, or clumsy window washers), but be forewarned: They are not cheap.
firemonkey
10-14-09, 09:25 AM
In doing some more research, and trying to find someone within 100 miles of me that makes the screens, I have another question.
How much faith do security professionals put into alarmed screens in the first place? It seems like it would be really easy to clip a jumper on the top and bottom of a screen and cut the mesh with impunity. Is it reallly that easy to defeat?
Or I guess more importantly, is it easy to tell the screens are alarmed? I dont live in a bank. My run of the mill intruder is not going to be that savvy - or is he?
How much faith do security professionals put into alarmed screens in the first place? It seems like it would be really easy to clip a jumper on the top and bottom of a screen and cut the mesh with impunity. Is it reallly that easy to defeat?
Or I guess more importantly, is it easy to tell the screens are alarmed? I dont live in a bank. My run of the mill intruder is not going to be that savvy - or is he?
MrRonFL
10-14-09, 05:17 PM
It's pretty hard to tell a wired screen from a normal one, but the screens have fallen out of use as awning style windows have fallen out of common use (for those, the screens are really the only real solution.)
Anyone with enough knowlege to defeat a screen isn't going to be deterred by a residential alarm system, anyway.
These days, the simple solution for what you want to do is to use a single contact with two magnet on the window. One magnet lines up when the window is in the closed and locked position. The second lines up with the ventilation open position (4-12 inches open).
Anyone with enough knowlege to defeat a screen isn't going to be deterred by a residential alarm system, anyway.
These days, the simple solution for what you want to do is to use a single contact with two magnet on the window. One magnet lines up when the window is in the closed and locked position. The second lines up with the ventilation open position (4-12 inches open).
kcxj
10-14-09, 09:14 PM
Funny, I work in the midwest, and we have to send our screens out to Florida to be alarmed or repaired. It is really a lost art.