Replace DSC PC1832 with Elk M1G

[jasonreg]

So after toning a few wires, the only zone I cannot identify is zone 17 - a wireless device notionally since I have confirmed that Zone 18 is the wireless motion detector paired to the RF5108.  The unterminated wire near my sump is connected to Zone 16 though I do not know how this is programmed in the panel.  WRT Zone 14, the pair of wires connected to Z6 and COM of the PC5108 were shorted together on the disconnected motion end so I suppose this is why it did not show a fault.
 
Any ideas as to how to identify the device connected to Zone 17 (or if there is one)?

 

[RAL]

Do you have a tamper switch somewhere, say on an outdoor siren, that might be connected to zone 17?
 
Edit:  Sorry - I overlooked that you said zone 17 is a wireless zone.  So it would not be a tamper switch on a siren.

 

[jasonreg]

So I started off wondering if it were feasible to replace my current DSC 1832 panel with an Elk panel.  It seems that I can, but I will need to replace all the keypads along with the main panel, add the keypad bus (because the KPs are all homerun)  and I suppose the wireless functionality as well.  What started me down this path (and I will start a new thread for more specific questions) was the desire to add some Home Automation into the mix.  Ideally I would like to:

1. re-use as much of the existing alarm equipment as possible while getting the new functionality desired;
2. add Insteon dimmers and light switches (seem to play well with LEDs as long as there is at least 40W being drawn);
3. add garage door monitoring and control (seems like Insteon wins here);
4. add HVAC control - nothing fancy - just the ability to modify temp when away;
5. add simple 6 zone irrigation control (Insteon seems to work well here);
6. add Z-wave locks (not impressed with the mi-lock options for Insteon);
7. perhaps add some additional smoke and CO detectors (wireless);
8. control the whole set-up from either a home server or hardware controller, and remotely via I-devices (IPhone/Ipad etc.)

I started to think that an ELK/ISY-994 combo would get me started hence the original question.  That said, if I could get what I am after re-using the DSC equipment more the better.  Initial thoughts or suggestions? 

 

[Del91574]

3. No. Best would be a host system, then you drive whatever outputs or events you want from there.
 
5. Depends on how you intend on doing this...easiest is via system driven relays.

 

[jasonreg]

Del, thanks for the response.  Could you please be more specific with what you mean by "Host System".  Is this an ISY994 type device or do you mean something PC based ?

 

[Del91574]

I would use the security system to monitor the garage doors and offer control before a separate consumer grade product....security hardware is generally more robust and reliable.
 
How you drive that information to perform other events depends on what you connect downstream, but the M1 can port enough data to interface with what most people want to do....lights, T-stats, etc. The only hard part is if you really need a PLC to drive information based on % the door is closed or partially closed, but generally, most people only care about the 2 states of a door.

 

[jasonreg]

Success!  After some additional tracing Zone 17 appears to be a low temp sensor wired to the PK5500 keypad at the basement door.  The sensor for some reason is in the furnace room right next to the alarm panel.  I mistakenly thought it was a wireless zone (I only have 16 hardwired zones avail) but after combing the house a few times I could not find any other wireless sensors.  Then when tracing the wiring to identify which keypad was which I noticed the extra wires attached to the B and the P/Z terminals of the Keypad.  Wiring mystery resolved.  Will be defaulting the panel now that I know what is what to at lease take back control of my system.  Then on to figuring out whether to replace or retain the DSC panel.
 
Thanks for everyone's help.  I will start a new thread with follow-on programming questions.