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Posted by Andrew Gabriel on April 2, 2008, 8:36 am
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> I may need to replace my trusty old Scantronic 9100 system.
>
> I've heard that the Honeywell Galaxy (possibly the 3-48C) may well be the
> one to go for, but I do have a number of questions:
>
> 0) The big one - is this kit installable by a reasonably competent DIYer and
> electronics hacker, who also happens to be a software guy by trade, or does
> it really need to be installed by an alarm company (with their darned
> maintenance contracts).
You might want to look at Comfort (Cytech in rest of the world).
It is designed for both professional and DIY install, but requires
reasonable competence in software for the programming. I have
fitted two such systems. http://www.comfort.org.uk
I'm probably out of date with current offerings, but a basic system
comes with 8 zones (plus tamper), 8 programmable outputs, phone line
interface for dial-in and dial-out (voice prompts, tone responses),
and you'll need one keypad (can have up to 8). Any house phone can
also be used to perform most of the keypad options, as indeed you
can by dialing in remotely. There's a built-in answering machine too
if you want to enable it with multiple mailboxes.
System is expandable by adding multiples of 8 zones and 8 outputs
upto 64 each (actually, I think more than that nowadays), or by a one-off
expansion to 24 zones and 8 outputs total with no further expansion.
System also supports 16 X10 inputs and all possible 256 X10 outputs
(need to buy an X10 mains interface unit).
Because of the large number of zones (inputs) and outputs and the
infinite programming possibilities, these units are often used to
implement home automation in addition to the alarm function.
There are lots of add-on modules, such as serial interface, ethernet
interface, etc for connection to computers and other kit, and there's
some Windows software for programming the alarm, although I've never
tried this. I use the serial interface and my own software to log all
alarm events and perform home automation functions from a computer.
> 1) I've got 9 zones of 4 wire sensors (6 wire to the PIRs) and a PAB. It
> appears that the Galaxy uses two wire technology. I assume that means I
> need to open up all my existing sensors and install lots of resistors to
> allow tamper detection to work - is that right?
Each Comfort zone can be set to be simple contact (N/O or N/C)
(with optional tamper protection in separate wires if required) or
dual EOL resistors to include tamper function on a 2-wire circuit.
> 2) The existing system has a builtin loudspeaker in the panel, I assume the
> Galaxy needs to have one fitted?
There's a speaker and microphone in each Comfort keypad.
Newer ones also have an infra-red remote receiver built-in.
> 3) The existing system has a keypad builtin to the control panel as well as
> an external keypad in another room. I assume that I need TWO external
> keypads for the Galaxy - is that right?
That would be the case with Comfort too, unless you could use a
house phone instead for one of them. (I wouldn't recommend using
a house phone for the main arming/disarming of it.)
> 4) I have a external SAB (Stand-Alone-Bell) unit with a strobe. The strobe
> is driven off its own relay in the control panel (two wires), and the SAB
> has four wires - +ve, -Ringing, 0V (-ve), and Tamper Return. Can this be
> driven from the Galaxy?
You will probably find Comfort too expensive for just an alarm
unless you are going to use some of the home automation functions
e.g. switch your heating on and off when you come in or go out or
remotely by phone.
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
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