Sensors for Elk M1G

[tmbrown97]

If you have room for that, it should be fine - but I'd think it would be likely to keep you from closing the door all the way. I still like the pill ones, or ones like these:
http://www.alarmcontacts.com/product_info.php?products_id=39

I don't know if anyone does this on this forum, but I remember many years ago when some of our houses would use 2 magnets - one in the normally closed position, and one in a position that was about 3 inches opened - so you could leave the window cracked and still have the system armed - if someone wanted to break in, they'd try to open the door more and trigger the alarm. Those little pill-type ones in the track seem to make that easier. Generally there's enough room in the track for things like that.

 

[allen363]

If you have room for that, it should be fine - but I'd think it would be likely to keep you from closing the door all the way. I still like the pill ones, or ones like these:
http://www.alarmcontacts.com/product_info.php?products_id=39

I don't know if anyone does this on this forum, but I remember many years ago when some of our houses would use 2 magnets - one in the normally closed position, and one in a position that was about 3 inches opened - so you could leave the window cracked and still have the system armed - if someone wanted to break in, they'd try to open the door more and trigger the alarm. Those little pill-type ones in the track seem to make that easier. Generally there's enough room in the track for things like that.

Thanks Todd. I opted for the pill contacts for all of my double hung windows. I now have 3 LV contractors coming to bid on the wiring and install of the contacts so I am now well on my way.

Thank you very much to everybody for their excellent advice and opinions.

Allen

 

[felixrosbergen]

For what it's worth, i just had a professional LV installer put the recessed contacts into the windows. They drilled the window frames and just glued a very small magnet onto the bottom of the window.

No drilling in the window so warranty on window is fine. For the frame there's a small hole but they push the sensor slightly deeper and then fill with white putty, it's really hard to see where the hole is.

I'll try to take pics soon.

 

[allen363]

For what it's worth, i just had a professional LV installer put the recessed contacts into the windows. They drilled the window frames and just glued a very small magnet onto the bottom of the window.

No drilling in the window so warranty on window is fine. For the frame there's a small hole but they push the sensor slightly deeper and then fill with white putty, it's really hard to see where the hole is.

I'll try to take pics soon.

That would be great, I'd love to see som pics.

One of the installers said they just use wireless contacts for the windows because it takes too long to do each window. I have an unfinished basement so I am thinking that he can at least do the first floor and the basement with wired contacts. Does this sound like laziness to anybody else?

Thanks,
Allen

 

[tmbrown97]

Laziness or lack of experience (which is why I hired an alarm guy to do my wiring)... The ones that know what they're doing should be able to do it. There's some guys on this board that talk about the tools and techniques... and with their 10ft. drill bits and knowing where to drill I don't know why they'd have trouble. Same with second floor - they can generally go up to the attic as long as there's a way to get back down to the panel. The guy that did mine would hit the angle just right where he'd slide up behind the drywall and go all the way up.

The way I figured it was, hard-wired was ideal... so if it's $35/hour for the installer, and $50 per wireless sensor (plus the necessary equip to support it if you don't plan to use wireless otherwise), as long as it doesn't take him more than 2-hours per door/window, I'm still doing good.

 

[felixrosbergen]

ok, i checked at my house again....see pics below.

The magnet is attached to the window with a small screw (maybe also glue, but i can't tell). Right now the sensor mount looks a bit rough coz it hasnt been cleaned yet.

Recessed sensor in window frame 1:

Recessed sensor in window frame 2:

Bottom of the window. Magnet attached to window with screw.

 

[allen363]

Thanks for the pics MavRic. Now I just need a good installer for the wiring and sensors. I have double hung windows and therefore 110 contacts for the 55 windows alone. All contacts, sensors, lights, sirens, etc. gives me a total of 126. I hope they don't take more than 30 minutes per contact or this will get really expensive really fast.

Allen

 

[felixrosbergen]

Funny you should mention about the doublehung windows....I totally forgot i had double hung windows and now thus have only 1 sensor per window.

I didnt get the 2nd floor wired since it would be hard to get to anyway.

110 contacts...hope you can tie some together or it's a hell a lot of zones.