Parallel security systems

[Landmark]

I have a home that was prewired with magnetic contacts on all the doors and windows. They are connected to a Honeywell panel installed and monitored by ADT. I want to replace the Honeywell system with an Elk or other DIY friendly system. I want to run the systems in parallel until I get everything setup on the new system. The contacts are connected to the Honeywell with resisters (470 ohm?). Would it be possible to use the existing contacts on both systems in parallel? If so, how would the be wired?

Thanks in advanced for any help.

Mark

 

[Del91574]

It's going to be pretty tough and not easy to run 2 systems in parallel without extra hardware. If you're worried about the cutover, the route I would suggest is to cut a zone over at a time, until all are on the new system, however there's really nothing painful about swapping a complete panel over....unless you're talking 40+ zones.
 
The only option I can see to run the two in parallel would require a lot of TTL relays and jumpers and be an ugly process.

 

[tmbrown97]

Get the new system dialed in with everything else config-wise and then just cut the zones over last, that way you know you have the system working and your options set.  You can even use jumpers or resistors across the zones to simulate fully functional zones.
 
As DEL said parallel is way more work than it's worth unless it's needed for some long term reason.

 

[newalarm]

what are the resisters for? I think the elk one's are a different resistance... you may have to swap those out.

 

[drvnbysound]

I've actually wondered about this for a friend who is currently in an ADT contract. The ADT system is using wireless door/window sensors... which I assume just broadcast a generic open/closed signal (although encoded at some level). Is it possible that 2 different receivers can get these signals (e.g. existing ADT panel and Elk Honeywell module)?

 

[tmbrown97]

Wireless, yes.  They just transmit blindly so it's quite possible for two compatible wireless receivers to receive the signal and act on it.

 

[Landmark]

Thanks for all the input. I only have 9 zones so it is a really small system. The main issue is WAF as she doesn't see the advantage of switching systems. I need to be able to show her the advantages of integrating it into our other home automation that she is slowly beginning to embrace.

 

[Del91574]

Going from a Honeywell panel to an M1 isn't a huge learning curve, so the WAF as the end user isn't going to be a huge affair...but then I don't know your W.
 
9 points is a 30 minute programming affair....swapping a panel would be a 2 hour ordeal IMHO at best, even if you don't have the ESN's for the RF devices.