Is it possible to programmatically activate the siren outputs?

Desert_AIP

Senior Member
I'm trying to use the exterior sounder in my garage as a warning klaxon before the garage door automatically closes.

I've tried to programatically activate the sounder output without an alarm condition and it locks up my OmniPro in some kind of internal loop, forcing me to reset the ROM and reprogram the controller.

When I turn on the output I lose communication with the controller and the other automation functions cease or are extremely delayed. This tells me the processor is either confused or in some kind of do loop.

Is it possible to turn the sounders on manually or programatically?

The manual reads as if it is the same as turning on any other output, and the siren is available in PCAccess in the list of units.
 
You cannot turn the built-in units on manually or programmatically. You have to setup a seperate sounder using one of the outputs, a relay and and a power supply.
 
Thanks for the confirmation.

Would it damage anything to wire the sounder in parallel to both a standard output (through a power supply and relay) and the horn output of the Omni?
Thereby using the same "emitter" controlled both automatically and manually?
 
it shouldn't hurt anything as long as it's the same power supply feeding both; you need to make sure you don't backfeed from another source.

The safer way to go is to use a relay to cut the sounder from one output over to another - then you're 100% safe.
 
To prevent any "backfeeding" of power you could use a diode on each power feed to the sounder. Nothing special required, a simple 1N4001 diode available from Radio Slack will do the job.
 
@lupinglad
Thanks

But I think that would trigger an alarm dial out too wouldn't it?
Same as pressing the emergency buttons on the console keypad.

I just want to sound the siren for a few seconds.
 
ASIHome said:
You cannot turn the built-in units on manually or programmatically. You have to setup a seperate sounder using one of the outputs, a relay and and a power supply.
 
Incorrect. This may have been recently changed, but by changing Output 393 or 394 to General Outputs you can in fact control these outputs using programs. Keep in mind that if you do this you need to setup programs to trigger the sirens when the alarm goes off (set your siren timeout as the duration) and disable them when it is disarmed. Also, you may not want a siren on all alarm types, so program as needed.
 
Sorry to revive an old post, but this came up for me today when I was attempting to do just this for 3 back doors that lead to a pool deck. Code requires an alarm on these doors, so triggering the alarm siren is the perfect fix.
 
adhllc said:
Sorry to revive an old post, but this came up for me today when I was attempting to do just this for 3 back doors that lead to a pool deck. Code requires an alarm on these doors, so triggering the alarm siren is the perfect fix.
It was a change, because years back I had to do the diode thing as well. I wanted my siren to go off if a gate was opened when we were away.
 
I like the idea for the pool doors, because that is required here (if there is kids in the house) but how do you bypass it if you just want to go out?
 
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