Recent content by hardatk

Thanks, I'll look at using terminal strips for now, but maybe down the line I'll install an Elk PD9   Is there a way to stack the terminals on top of the board and have them securely fastened? Seems like having them aligned on top of the sensor zones would be ideal

Hey all, got my Omnipro board in and have been reading all the documentation... but some of it isn't too clear, granted I'm not an electrician... but I do have some experience.   One question I have is, I have 9 motion sensors and they require the aux power, is there a better / easier way to...

So, I updated the main topic... but basically I decided on going with an Omnipro controller... I'm interested in any advice / guides on the install... I've searched through the forums and many of the old guides / blogs are out of date / don't work. Things like which enclosure to get, what...

Hmm, I hadn't discounted a Windows tablet... but I also hadn't thought of the issues you had with certain applications requiring C++ / .NET SDKs.    I still haven't completely decided on my controller, but at this point I am leaning towards the Omnipro II. I did look at the OT7 screens, I like...

I'm wondering if anyone uses an ipad / android tablet as their main keypad / controller? I'd like to use one to control / monitor the status of the panel, but I'd prefer to have a hardwired interface and afaik there is not an easy solution to do so...   I imagine you could hook an android up to...

As an aside, since you mentioned you had issues with the DNS not populating automatically... I thought I'd plug the use of opendns / google dns. I use Verizon FIOS, and like many other ISPs decides to use it's DNS service as another advertising / control mechanism. If you've ever tried manually...

How does a car walk?!

Thanks OldTimer, I didn't list the regular network / coax drops... but that was step number one! I'm actually running one drop with four cat6 and two coax to each major TV installation, and most other rooms have at least one drop with two cat6 / one coax... with the larger rooms / bedrooms...

Thanks I'll look at Draftsight / TinyCAD... I don't really like the Sketchup interface, it's great for 3D... but adds more complexity than I need if I just want a 2D plan.   I've used AutoCAD plenty and would totally go that route, but I'd rather have something that's completely free so that I...

lol ano, you beat me to it... I didn't see your response.   I agree I hate that the smartlocks have external interfaces... ideally they would just have a handle to open the door when the deadbolt disengages and nothing else on the exterior... but I'm guessing that would violate some code...  ...

Yea swancoat... I agree with your assesment, but the other issue I have with the zwave locks is that the lock mechanisms themselves are typically very bad quality (the kwikset one for example)... one advantage of something like the August / an electric deadbolt is that you have more flexibility...

I've been looking at getting either an electronic deadbolt or a smartlock... but i cant find too much info on electronic strikes / deadbolts mostly seem to be used in the commercial sector. I want one that I can automate and hook up to decect status even with manual locking...

if my current detectors are all connected is it possible to wire one to the panel and have it trip when any of them go off?

I did do some research on here about wiring up smokes, and I thought that it was advised against, especially if your alarms ever trigger falsely.    22/4 and cat6 is probably overkill, I agree... but cat6 is dirty cheap these days so if I'm already running one cable might as well put some cat6...

Hey guys... I finally have a design down on paper for my new house! It's an existing home, and I'm in the process of tearing apart the walls to run wire (we were going to paint anyway)... I would love your advice on my design, perhaps I left something out?   My plan is to run wired motion...