killervette
Active Member
What are your guys doing for security on double hung windows? Are you putting sensors on the top and bottom? Is there a way to use one sensor for both?
How do you guys wire double hung windows?
- Thread starter killervette
- Start date
I think most people probably wire both windows. I'm not sure how you could use a single sensor for both windows. If you are using magnetic switches, then this certainly would not work because you could open either window without opening the reed switch (the other side of the window would still hold it closed). This would be worse than simply wiring for the lower window and not having a sensor on the upper window which is the best option if you only want to wire 1 window.
Keep in mind that you can have multiple sensors on the same zone - simply wire them in series. So not only can you have multiple windows on a single zone, you can have two sensors for each window. So run the wire from the panel to the first window and into the first sensor. Then continue the wire to the other sensor in the same window. If you want more than 1 window on that zone (most people do), then continue the wire to the 2nd window and repeat the process.
It is pretty easy to run the wire around the window behind the window trim. You can cut the old caulk out between the window and drywall and run the wire there You might have to cut a small trench out of the drywall with a utility knife behind the trim, but all that will be hidden when you re-caulk the window. If you take your time and do it right, you shouldn't even have to touch the paint up. B)
Keep in mind that you can have multiple sensors on the same zone - simply wire them in series. So not only can you have multiple windows on a single zone, you can have two sensors for each window. So run the wire from the panel to the first window and into the first sensor. Then continue the wire to the other sensor in the same window. If you want more than 1 window on that zone (most people do), then continue the wire to the 2nd window and repeat the process.
It is pretty easy to run the wire around the window behind the window trim. You can cut the old caulk out between the window and drywall and run the wire there You might have to cut a small trench out of the drywall with a utility knife behind the trim, but all that will be hidden when you re-caulk the window. If you take your time and do it right, you shouldn't even have to touch the paint up. B)
Monk
Active Member
Hey Sic
What the hell is a "Chauk"? Is that Hawaiian for something?
SorrY - had to ask B)
beelzerob
Senior Member
killervette
Active Member
Great link beelzerob. That is awesome. I am doing this while the house is being built, so it really helps.
One more question, I dont have enough sensors for the tops of the windows. My order was backordered and I have to do the wiring this weekend. Any ideas on how to make it easy to add the sensor after the drywall is done? I was thinking, cut the holes, run the wire, and temporarly plug the hole
One more question, I dont have enough sensors for the tops of the windows. My order was backordered and I have to do the wiring this weekend. Any ideas on how to make it easy to add the sensor after the drywall is done? I was thinking, cut the holes, run the wire, and temporarly plug the hole
beelzerob
Senior Member
Ya, that sounds like your best bet.
by the way, I also had to be very careful...I found out that next in line in the house was the insulators, and their first order of business is to go around every window and stuff insulation in with a trowel knife. Needless to say, this probably would have cut through all of my window wires, or seriously crimped them. So i went through myself and put insulation around the part of the window that the wire ran, and made it very clear to the builder that the insulators were not to touch that part. It seems to have worked.
by the way, I also had to be very careful...I found out that next in line in the house was the insulators, and their first order of business is to go around every window and stuff insulation in with a trowel knife. Needless to say, this probably would have cut through all of my window wires, or seriously crimped them. So i went through myself and put insulation around the part of the window that the wire ran, and made it very clear to the builder that the insulators were not to touch that part. It seems to have worked.
killervette
Active Member
Thanks. To bad you couldnt drive down to Pottstown PA and lend a hand! I have to do all my networking and security wire this weekend with 1 person helping!
beelzerob
Senior Member
Hehe..that's all I had, too.
I'll also note that we did this in January, when it was down to around 15 outside (and mostly inside, too), and BOY did that wire not want to bend. However, we also had much more than a weekend...I think we ended up taking about 1 full week and parts of the next 2 weeks to get it all done.
I'd suggest going by priority....in many cases, you can run network wire after the house is done. Ya, it's 1000X harder, but it's still doable without doing anything destructive to the look of the house. Not so with the security wiring....
Ya, unfortunately, Pottstown is just a bit too far. I could do Altoona or the vicinity, but that'd be about all she'd be willing to let me do.
Where'd you get your wiring from, btw? Keystone Wire I think is right in that area, and that's where I got mine from. Great prices and quick service.
I'll also note that we did this in January, when it was down to around 15 outside (and mostly inside, too), and BOY did that wire not want to bend. However, we also had much more than a weekend...I think we ended up taking about 1 full week and parts of the next 2 weeks to get it all done.
I'd suggest going by priority....in many cases, you can run network wire after the house is done. Ya, it's 1000X harder, but it's still doable without doing anything destructive to the look of the house. Not so with the security wiring....
Ya, unfortunately, Pottstown is just a bit too far. I could do Altoona or the vicinity, but that'd be about all she'd be willing to let me do.
Where'd you get your wiring from, btw? Keystone Wire I think is right in that area, and that's where I got mine from. Great prices and quick service.
killervette
Active Member
Hehe..that's all I had, too.
I'll also note that we did this in January, when it was down to around 15 outside (and mostly inside, too), and BOY did that wire not want to bend. However, we also had much more than a weekend...I think we ended up taking about 1 full week and parts of the next 2 weeks to get it all done.
I'd suggest going by priority....in many cases, you can run network wire after the house is done. Ya, it's 1000X harder, but it's still doable without doing anything destructive to the look of the house. Not so with the security wiring....
Ya, unfortunately, Pottstown is just a bit too far. I could do Altoona or the vicinity, but that'd be about all she'd be willing to let me do.
Where'd you get your wiring from, btw? Keystone Wire I think is right in that area, and that's where I got mine from. Great prices and quick service.
I got most of my stuff from monoprice.com. I got some good prices on Cat6 rolls. I also got some of the security wire from asihome.com
I dont think i have everything i need since i didnt know the house was going to be ready to wire so soon. I might be able to do some more next weekend, but i am trying to knock out everything this weekend. I am not looking forward to the work, but cant wait till its all done.
beelzerob
Senior Member
Well, if you do need more wire in a hurry, try keystonewire.com. I think you call the number and they transfer you to the closest site, which as I recall is near philly.
I *did* look forward to the wiring...but just because I was able to wire, which was a first for us. It was so nice to be able to do whatever we wanted! But looking back on it...those were some dark, cold, fairly wretched days.
If you have some time, there might be some small nuggets of wisdom in my wiring experience thread.
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