Home alarms

fishman · Sep 30, 2005

I haven't seen this topic discussed here before, so I thought I'd ask. Those of us that live in the city can get an alarm from one of the monitoring companies that will send the cops, etc. if it goes off. I live way out there (like a lot of folks here on TBN) and I don't want that type of alarm, nor would it do me much good. I would like to purchase some simple alarms that attach to a door/window frame and sound an alarm if it is opened. I would also consider a whole house alarm if it functioned in a similar manner.

Anybody using anything like this and do you like it? What kind of price?

Edit: I checked out X10 after reading the other post on monitored alarm systems (safety must be on everyone's mind for some reason). Here is the link: X10
For $100, it will do what I just mentioned, as well as call you if someone is breaking in. Has anyone tried this system and if so, how do you like it?

MossRoad · Sep 30, 2005

So, you want something to just scare the folks into leaving, but not report it?

On some outbuildings that don't require monitoring, I've used a wireless setup from X10.com that has a central unit plugged into AC. Then you put little transmitters with window switches your windows, doors, etc... they run off of nine volt batteries. A large selection of switch types is available for the transmitters. They are easy to install and the 9 volt batteries last about a year. If there is a problem with one of the transmitters(like the battery going dead or the switch not making contact) the unit will let you know by a display. The transmitters "check in" with the control panel every few hours. The unit also has the ability to call several numbers that you program in and play a little voice message that you record yourself... something like, "YIKES! This is Joe's house and I am being burgled!!!"

I think the system came with the console, two transmitters and two key-chain fobs for about $100.00 on sale. It will also flash any lights in the house that are connected to X10 modules set to the correct code. The key-chain fob arms and disarms it and also has the ability to turn on lights/items that are set to the correct code, too. It's nice to be able to turn on the outside and inside lights in a building before you go into it.

If you don't require monitoring, this system is really pretty good for the bucks.

I also had a wired system from Radio Shack in our first home. It was the cheapest system they offered and it worked as advertised. Scared the bad person from my garage when they lifted the overhead door. Shortly spaced footprints in the snow up to the garage door. WIDELY spaced footprints leaving after that sucker went off! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hayden · Oct 1, 2005

Check out the DSC (or maybe it's DCS?) systems. They are the same HW used by ADT and other big names. The parts for a basic system won't cost more than a couple hundred dollars. They can place a call to a pager or phone text message when an alarm triggers (plus make a racket to scare off anyone). Fire alarms, temp sensing, and other stuff can be added too.

They are very straight forward to install, but a royal pain to program. I highly recommend the PC programming software which is downloadable from the DSC site. All I think you need to buy is a cable. I put mine in a few years ago so the details aren't that fresh in my aging mind.

Birdhunter1 · Oct 2, 2005

I am currently designing one to operate in the manner which you are wanting, except instead of an audible sound it may hae lights that light up to define an area--like if garage door is opened it will light up red, if front door it's green, if side door it's blue, etc etc.
It's all run 12 volt off of a transformer, could be backed up with a battery if you wanted it to.
It could sound an alarm if you had an alarm to sound but I'm not doing it that way.

fishman · Oct 3, 2005

Thanks to all, and I will check out the X10 and DSC brands further. I think I'd better go with a "prefab" alarm system. Don't think I can make one from scratch! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · Oct 3, 2005

Sure you can.

A car battery, a switch, some string and a car horn hidden in the pumpking patch can scare the heck out of kids seeking to cause trouble on Halloween night. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

WVBill · Oct 3, 2005

I've used the X10 system both in my rural home and at our small-town business for years. It's been very reliable. I've not had any break-ins but one time I did leave a helium balloon in a room monitored by a motion detector and it called me when the heat came on and moved the balloon.

fishman · Oct 3, 2005

Mossroad, that is genius! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

fishman · Oct 3, 2005

I have to say that the price of the X10 system is very attractive, but only if it does everything they say. It sounds from your post that you have been very satisfied. I'm going to pull the trigger on something soon.

MossRoad · Oct 3, 2005

This is the one that we use in our out buildings. It does work as advertised. Our farthest sensor is about 40' from the control panel. When the 9V gets weak, it will not report to the main panel and then you know to change it. It has always lasted about a year.

One neat thing is you can add multiple switches to a sensor. Just hook them in series or parallel, depending on normally open or normally closed. So if you have an area with 4-5 windows, you can buy switches at Radio Shack and wire them into the sensor. That way, you don't have to buy the expensive sensors.

Here's a link to the one we use. WARNING: X10's website can be a bit annoying, with the hard sell stuff and pop-ups, so proceed with caution. END WARNING.

Link to X10 security system.