* 12/31/09 Update *
I've been putting some serious thinking into this project and after hearing back from a local contractor I've come up with a plan. I will break the install up into multiple phases due to budget limitations. I'm planning on having the following sensors installed as part of the first phase of this project. I'm planning on going with this Elk Package From Smarthomeusa
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufact...m/ELK-M1GSYS4S/ I'll be adding the Serial-Ethernet adapter (ELK-M1XEP). Will I need any other accessories to get started? I'm a bit confused on monitoring at the moment, I dont have a home phone, nor a voip line. I'm planning on using NextAlarm for monitoring - it looks like their ABN device will be my best bet. Any thoughts? Experiences? I'll probably use the e-alerts if it loses connection as my backup for the time being. Perhaps a perpay cell backup down the road.
10 wired window contacts. The Low voltage company quoted me $60\window for recessed magnetic contacts. These will be installed into the side track of my vinyl windows. Any concerns here? I looked at the MicraG wireless contacts from
http://www.ion-digital.com but I'm thinking after install plus the wireless receiver I'm probably about the same cost as wired contacts.
3 wired door contacts. The Low voltage company quoted me $50\doorfor recessed magnetic contacts. These will be installed into the side track of my wood doors (front/rear/garage). Any concerns here? I looked at the PlungerG wireless contacts from
http://www.ion-digital.com but the cost is $25 extra for wired and it seems like a better long term solution. I'm going to have 4 conductor wire run to allow for the door contacts as well as a deadbolt plunger (deadbolt extended confirmation).
2 wired garage door contacts. Still waiting on these to be quoted. I expect $50-60\door. I'm looking at using these sensors - thoughts?
http://www.smarthome.com/7455/Garage-Door-...-SM-226L/p.aspx
4 wired motion sensors. The Low voltage company is recommending the Bosch Blueline series (pet friendly). I'm waiting to hear back which model, they quoted 100\sensor with install. We don't have any pets but I'd like to get a dog down the road. Thoughts?
4 glass break sensors. The Low voltage company is recommending a recessed round unit - probably the FG-1625RFM but I'm going to confirm.
1 Kiddie end of line relay. I currently have 7 Kiddie 120vt interconnected smoke detectors. I'd like to keep them if possible since they're installed and working
It looks like Kiddie offers a relay for the system to provide contacts for an alarm panel.
http://www.amazon.com/Kidde-Relay-Module-H...0085&sr=8-1
I've included my first level floor plan to help with sensor placements.
Phase 2 will be completed myself due to cost and much easier installations.
3 waterbug sensors - (laundry room, kitchen sink, bathroom) I'm thinking of using these sensors
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufact.../Item/GRI-2600/ Thoughts?
3 themostat sensors for the Elk (garage / outdoor / basement freezer) - Whats the best way to do this? The Elk sensors are pretty pricey.
http://www.smarthome.com/1283ZTR/M1-Zone-T...e-M1ZTSR/p.aspx &
http://www.smarthome.com/1283ZTS/M1-Zone-T...ce-M1ZTS/p.aspx
1 Cat5e/Cat6 to my Sprinkler controller (mounted in the garage). I'm not sure which controller to go with yet. I have a simple 5 zone system in the yard. I'd like to be able to be alerted to its activity, control etc.
3 Tamper switches (cable and phone boxes on the side of the house), as well as 2 lengths of wire included with the phone and cable lines running into those boxes (from the ground up). I dont know which sensors yet - just want to have the ability to monitor access to those services.