DIY replacement of a DSC system with an OmniPro 2?

[fgrogan]

I have a DSC 5010 security only system in my house with 3 keypads, interior motion detectors, glass breaks, heat detectors, gas detectors and fire/smoke detectors. I want to replace it with an Omni Pro 2 then start to add in home automation capabilitites (Z wave lighting, integrate the existing 2 Omnistat2's I have, etc) once the basic security system is working well. The current system is monitored and I would want to do the same with the OP2.

Many questions are in my head, but I'll start with some basics:

1) Can I label my existing sensors and then reuse them for the OP2?
2) What basic ewuipment do you suggest I have to perform the swap/replacement?
3)What HAI components do I need to buy from WD?
4) Once the physical connections are made and the system is running, what code do I need to enable basic security features?
5)Who do you suggest I use for monitoring?
6) How long do you think the replacement and initial install & config will take to get back to a basic security system operation?
7) Is it reasonable for me to attempt this? I'm fairly technical, been working with computers for 30 years, wired the entire house when it was built 6 years ago and enjoy a technical challange.

 

[Steve]

Welcome to CocoonTech!

I'll take a stab at it...

1.It depends. Typical NC reed switch contacts will work fine. As long as the PIRs and GB's are wired and have 2 wires for power and 2 for zone (also a typical NC connection) then should be fine as well. Wireless sensors will not work if they are proprietary. Keypads definitely are not compatible.

2. Equipment as in tools? Standard hand tools to remove, reinstall the main can. Depending on the can or location you may need a bigger can and if its recessed you will need to cut a bigger hole in drywall. You'll also need some electrical tools such as wire strippers and cutters and possibly crimpers.

3. Again it depends what you want. At a minimum you should have the panels a console or more and some sort of sounder siren (your existing may be compatible).

4. If you wish to program all functions of the OPII you will need a copy of the Dealer PC Access software. You will perform all configuration from there.

5. You can choose anyone you like as long as you are not under contract with existing panel. NextAlarm, Alarm Relay, Alarm.com to name a few.

6. Completely depends on your skill level and what kind of rework you may need to do at the panel. You can replace the keypads and redo the wiring in as little as a few hours but I would probably leave a good portion of the day if this is your first experience.

7. It sounds like you have the skill, as long as you have the desire and time and willing to work through some challenges if they come up, but we can help you along via this forum or the chat room if you get stuck. If you just want it done as quickly and professionally as possible with complete warranty on everything then consider a pro, but you will save alot of money and learn alot doing it yourself.

 

[Neurorad]

I mentioned (end of line) resistors in your AVS thread, required by some alarm panels under some circumstances - I don't know if you have them with your DSC, or if you'll need to use them for HAI. They'll add only a couple hours to the install.

My current monitoring company offered to sell direct to me, when my contract expires.

If you want to play with the panel - adding lighting and other stuff - then installing the panel yourself would be a very good learning experience for those future projects.

 

[Steve]

I mentioned (end of line) resistors in your AVS thread, required by some alarm panels under some circumstances - I don't know if you have them with your DSC, or if you'll need to use them for HAI. They'll add only a couple hours to the install.

That's a good point about the EOLs. If the EOLs are in the panel as I suspect they are, since a large majority of installers put them there just to satisfy the panel, then no extra time is needed, just don't install them back on the OPII, it doesn't need it. OTOH, if they are at the contacts, where they belong, and they are a different value from what the OPII needs (likely), then it will complicate the install enormously as you will have to pull every contact and either remove or replace the EOL, and sometimes those are embedded in the wall. In that case it will be alot more than a few hours and alot of patience and perhaps some drywall repair. But if the system was put in by a typical alarm installer, they are most likely in the panel and you are golden. Funny how a 'wrong' install can help you sometimes.

 

[batwater]

Have you considered just replacing the 5020 with a newer board and adding an automation interface to the panel? I've done this in my home, a replacement board is much less expensive than replacing all of the parts and it's not too difficult to download the existing programming and upload it into a new board. My strategy was to leave the alarm doing what it does best, bullet proof security, and interface it to an automation system via the DSC IT-100 board. Food for thought, different way to skin the cat, especially if all of the components in your current alarm are still working.

I have a DSC 5010 security only system in my house with 3 keypads, interior motion detectors, glass breaks, heat detectors, gas detectors and fire/smoke detectors. I want to replace it with an Omni Pro 2 then start to add in home automation capabilitites (Z wave lighting, integrate the existing 2 Omnistat2's I have, etc) once the basic security system is working well. The current system is monitored and I would want to do the same with the OP2.

Many questions are in my head, but I'll start with some basics:

1) Can I label my existing sensors and then reuse them for the OP2?
2) What basic ewuipment do you suggest I have to perform the swap/replacement?
3)What HAI components do I need to buy from WD?
4) Once the physical connections are made and the system is running, what code do I need to enable basic security features?
5)Who do you suggest I use for monitoring?
6) How long do you think the replacement and initial install & config will take to get back to a basic security system operation?
7) Is it reasonable for me to attempt this? I'm fairly technical, been working with computers for 30 years, wired the entire house when it was built 6 years ago and enjoy a technical challange.