DIY: Security system..

[BellyUpFish]

Looking to add a security system to the house we are about to build.

I grew up with a Certified Alarm system. But am looking at installing my own.

I'm honestly not too worried about having it actively monitored, mainly because we live in the boonies. Average response time is 20+ minutes.

I have 3 fairly large, very good "protective" dogs that will be roaming the yard at night so that helps.

What I would mainly like is the ability to alert myself/family of something is up in the middle of the night.

Window sensors, door sensors, etc. I'd like to add cameras that I can actively monitor if I feel like it, via an iPad.

I'm not interested in monthly fees for someone to call the police for me and let them show up 35 minutes later. I don't need to call the fire department - I live in the land of volunteer departments, God bless them for their services but quick response isn't on their abilities list, just due to the system they operate under.

I'd also prefer to install it myself while the house is going up.

Does anyone have a suggestion on a decent system to start thinking about?

 

[crab]

Peacocks

 

[jkwilson]

Fortress Security

 

[Kpaige]

 

[BellyUpFish]

Have that... x3..

 

[Stuart in MN]

Simplisafe seems to be the most common answer to this question, other than pictures of dogs and guns. I'd think again about having the system monitored, particularly for fire protection...if there's a fire in the middle of the night and everyone is sleeping, smoke inhalation is a real hazard and you may or may not wake up when the alarm goes off. Some years ago my sister and her husband died in a house fire, if there had been a monitored system in their house they may have made it out.

 

[djjsr]

I installed a SimpliSafe system about a year ago. After having ADT at my business for many years, I found the SimpliSafe system much better and less than half the cost for superior monitoring.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Simplisafe seems to be the most common answer to this question, other than pictures of dogs and guns. I'd think again about having the system monitored, particularly for fire protection...if there's a fire in the middle of the night and everyone is sleeping, smoke inhalation is a real hazard and you may or may not wake up when the alarm goes off. Some years ago my sister and her husband died in a house fire, if there had been a monitored system in their house they may have made it out.

I hate to hear about your sister and BIL.

I lived through a house fire 3 years ago.

None of our fire alarms went off as best we can remember.

I don't see what the benefit would be to over having the system call us vs a dispatcher somewhere calling us. Both systems will alert us in a similar fashion.

But there could be something I'm not seeing, which is why I'm asking.

 

[bpj71]

I have a Simplisafe system in my house. Installed it two months ago, very happy with it.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I don't see what the benefit would be to over having the system call us vs a dispatcher somewhere calling us. Both systems will alert us in a similar fashion.

If you're incapacitated and can't answer their call first, the dispatcher will call the fire department for you.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

Are there monthly/annual fee or any sort of paid subscription for SimpliSafe?

 

[BellyUpFish]

If you're incapacitated and can't answer their call first, the dispatcher will call the fire department for you.

If that's the case, I'll be dead well before they get there.

 

[unslow1]

I have ADT. What I would probably do if I was you is after you decide what system have a video loop sent to a website. That way even if the place burns to the ground you can still retrieve a video/pics of what happened. Then make sure you put a CO2 detector in your bedroom. A friend of mine recommended that to me when I first set mine up. It probably saved my life about 1 1/2 ago. The furnace stack had started leaking into the house. I was already sick and was sound asleep but that thing was so loud it woke me at 3am.

 

[unslow1]

If that's the case, I'll be dead well before they get there.

You can also have them call someone else. I had mine setup to call a friend. Set it up to call your nearest friend/relative or neighbor.

 

[BellyUpFish]

You can also have them call someone else. I had mine setup to call a friend. Set it up to call your nearest friend/relative or neighbor.

That would be a much better option.

Going to have to look into that.

 

[MushCreek]

We're going to use SimpliSafe. You can have it monitored (about $15/month) or just buy the stuff and use it as an alarm. There's no contract, so you can have it monitored as you wish. They have an interactive smart phone monitoring that's really cool for $25/month. What some people do is upgrade to the smartphone version when they go on vacation, and then drop back to the standard monitoring when they get back.

I'm like Bellyupfish- it will take them a while to get to our house. If the smoke alarms don't wake us up, we'd be long dead when help arrived. Smoke alarms are code anyway, and you should test them from time to time. Same with CO detectors. There's no way anyone could sleep through our smoke alarms, because if they didn't wake up, the dog would chew their arm off- she hates the things.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I purchased my own professional DSC 1832 alarm system. I have a mix of wired / wireless contacts, smoke / heat detectors, motion and flood sensors. I also installed an Eyezon.com add on card which allows me to self monitor my system with text alerts without having to subscribe to a monitoring service. When I do choose to get it monitored, it's only $8.50 per month using eyezon service.

I trust my DSC alarm system over the simplesafe type systems.

 

[Grug]

Well, I don't have a garage...yet. It's in the works, though.

However, I do have two German Shepherds that can come across as intimidating. They roam the property and keep the neighbours honest.
They're great dogs. But if you're somewhere you shouldn't be...I pity the fool!

 

[Cypherian]

Why not set the camera system as stated. And use broad area motion sensors mounted in the corners of each bedroom and covering points of ingress set to alarm to an external audio alarm and a set of flashing red and blue lights. Be easier then wiring each window and you do not have to worry about leaving a window open accidentally or for cooling etc. As soon as there is motion into the room it goes off. You will have to set them so they do not catch the curtains moving but that is about it. Put the lights on the peak of a roof they do not need to be huge with todays LED light systems. You would not notice them unless you really looked. Or you can hide them in the gingerbread of the soffit . Neighbors see it and hear it you can do a 12 volt system powered by both a transformer and a battery back up. If you use infrared cameras you may want to put up a few infrared flood lights to help them .

Cypher

 

[excavator]

I use a camera system only and have 8 cams around house and 2 inside facing doors. The system can be viewed from any smart phone or computer and you can set up so any all all cams will email you pics of what set off motion alarm. This can be turned off also from phone. Cams also deter better than a sticker on door. Most of my neighbors have alarm system only and by time someone pays attention and police show up nothing happens

 

[fastrucken1]

We just built last year and ended up with a dsc system. At the time i didnt have enough time to self install so i had an independent company do the install. if i was going to do it again i would most definitely do it myself and even in the limited time i had. I also added a card from eyezon.com and self monitor.

Would be more then happy to help you out with any questions.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Have any of you guys played with "Piper?"

I looked at it and then moved to the Samsung SmartThings hub.

 

[Stuart in MN]

And use broad area motion sensors mounted in the corners of each bedroom and covering points of ingress set to alarm to an external audio alarm and a set of flashing red and blue lights. Be easier then wiring each window and you do not have to worry about leaving a window open accidentally or for cooling etc. As soon as there is motion into the room it goes off.

Cypher

Motion sensors are good, but door sensors (and selected window sensors) are important as well - remember that if you're home at night you want an 'occupied' setting so the motion sensors are deactivated - otherwise you'd have to lay perfectly motionless all night.

 

[drx2]

I recently read that simply safe was hackable. Can't find the reference at the moment. I built a vacation home and went with a DIY system from EZ Watch http://www.ezwatch.com

Very straight forward to install and works well. I can use the app to check in on all the cameras at any time. Customer service is very helpful.

 

[djjsr]

..... remember that if you're home at night you want an 'occupied' setting so the motion sensors are deactivated - otherwise you'd have to lay perfectly motionless all night.

This is a very important issue if you're a super-stud like me.

 

[djjsr]

I recently read that simply safe was hackable. Can't find the reference at the moment.

My SimpliSafe system has no connection to a computer or network. It relays any trigger by way of it's own cell system. Is that hackable?

 

[hoho98925]

I had an ADT system installed, they where a total rip off, had a guy come in and replace the main board, monitoring is now less the 1/2 of ADT, and it works. Had a tree fall on my house, the motion sensors went off, I got a call. Called the neighbor as I was at work. They had the hole in my roof tarped off by the time I got home. I am away more then I am home, The piece of mind I have when I'm away is priceless.

 

[MushCreek]

Apparently, cell based systems can be hacked with some kind of electronic jamming. probably well beyond the range of your average small-time thug. Around here, you'd probably be looking at a meth head; I doubt they use sophisticated equipment. We don't have enough stuff inside to be worth their while.

 

[A**holes Garage]

http://simplisafe.com/blog/our-commitment-to-your-security

 

[BellyUpFish]

Apparently, cell based systems can be hacked with some kind of electronic jamming. probably well beyond the range of your average small-time thug. Around here, you'd probably be looking at a meth head; I doubt they use sophisticated equipment. We don't have enough stuff inside to be worth their while.

If they're hacking my network, they're getting in regardless of my setup, in my mind.

That's why I started with the dogs. I'd just like a little something to scare me to death when they come in the house when I'm home.

 

[djjsr]

I'd just like a little something to scare me to death when they come in the house when I'm home.

The SimpliSafe unit has an 85 db siren standard. Option is 105 db siren.

 

[overkill 19]

I have a system similar to ADT. Little off topic but good info.
My system has a 12v switch for when the alarm goes off so I wired and dead bolt that fires while alarm on and the power that supply's my overhead doors to it. So when alarm is on dead bolts are out and no power to doors. Then I removed the chains. So if someone breaks in the can't open the doors by hand as they would have to pry off dead bolt brackets first then get a ladder and open up motor box and get vise grips on manual release bar. Then manually lift door which is 16x 12, I've never tried but a bit of a lift I'd think. All in I think I spent $100 maybe. It's not full proof but it will sure slow them down. Ya they will get away with whatever they can carry out the way they came in but at least it's not truck loads! Plus I put out swing man doors with security hinges on my garage so it's harder to kick in! Again slowing them down!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chase237]

From scratch is the best time to plan. If I could start from scratch with framed walls I run the cat5 for cameras around the perimeter, all run to a structured wiring cabinet for video. Tons of info out there, no need to budget cameras, recorders and such at this point, but run the cables now.

Smoke detectors are usually required in all the bedrooms and outside the bedrooms if I remember correctly. It they are all tied together, one goes off they all go off. Not sure how one could sleep through that if activated.

Funny thing about smokes, I've been to some house fires (retired FF) where the smokes were still going off, the occupants got out and swore they didn't work. The brain is a funny thing.

Intrusion alarms are layered, glass break, window / door alarm, motion. Basically smash and grab. No time for forced entry into a safe for example. If you can hardwire instead of wireless they are more reliable just because they don't rely on a battery. Monitoring offers tons of options also.

Simplisafe is an all in one unit best suited for apt dwellers or existing construction where the diy'er want some level of security without running all the wires for sensors.

I'm envious. Planning ahead is the best way to go. Oh and this is all my opinion only and may differ from what some of the pros think.

 

[Garageguy65]

I purchased my own professional DSC 1832 alarm system. I have a mix of wired / wireless contacts, smoke / heat detectors, motion and flood sensors. I also installed an Eyezon.com add on card which allows me to self monitor my system with text alerts without having to subscribe to a monitoring service. When I do choose to get it monitored, it's only $8.50 per month using eyezon service.

I trust my DSC alarm system over the simplesafe type systems.

X2.. I installed a dsc864.. Pretty easy to program. Made myself a cheat sheet to program my system.. Took about 2 hours to program. As killer95stang I also have a mix of wireless and hard wired. All my windows are covered in the whole house.

Bought a eyez on internet card. It works slick. Alarm trips it sends me a text..

Happy with my system..

 

[ValveCoverGasket]

My SimpliSafe system has no connection to a computer or network. It relays any trigger by way of it's own cell system. Is that hackable?

there isnt any encryption between the keypad and the base station (seems incredible that theyd be so cheap as to overlook that).
as a result it turns out its very easy to capture that "unlock" transmission and play it back to the base station remotely.
worst of all, they dont support flashing of their hardware (another facepalm moment) so youre stuck buying a new unit whenever they do end up releasing a fix.

i was about a week away from purchasing a simplisafe setup when that article came out hah

then i found this:

I looked at it and then moved to the Samsung SmartThings hub.

and the samsung can interact with all manner of smart devices, uses encryption for its transmission, and theyre pairing with Scout (i think that was the company) in a beta test right now to integrate off site monitoring with sensors youve already got as part of the samsung system. AND you can do your own programming using ITTT and some of the apps theyve developed to tailor your system. like multipoint triggers so you avoid false alarms if one of the command strips falls off of a door or window and shows as "open".
plus, unlike the simplisafe, you can create multiple zones with the samsung - ie if youre home but the shop is locked, you still want the alarm armed in the shop, etc.

 

[djjsr]

there isnt any encryption between the keypad and the base station (seems incredible that theyd be so cheap as to overlook that).
as a result it turns out its very easy to capture that "unlock" transmission and play it back to the base station remotely.

Show me where it has happened.

 

[MoonRise]

I have ADT. What I would probably do if I was you is after you decide what system have a video loop sent to a website. That way even if the place burns to the ground you can still retrieve a video/pics of what happened. Then make sure you put a CO2 detector in your bedroom. A friend of mine recommended that to me when I first set mine up. It probably saved my life about 1 1/2 ago. The furnace stack had started leaking into the house. I was already sick and was sound asleep but that thing was so loud it woke me at 3am.

Not a CO2 detector. Carbon dioxide detector.

Those detectors do exist, but that's typically not what you want or need on a house 'alarm' system.

What you do want is several CO detectors. Carbon monoxide detector.

Especially if there are any 'fuel source' heat devices. Like a fuel furnace (as opposed to electric baseboard heat or an electric heat pump), or a fuel fired water heater, or a gas-fired clothes dryer, or a gas stove or oven. Or a wood stove or fireplace, or a pellet stove. Etc, etc, etc.

Carbon monoxide detectors (decent ones) are pretty important IMNSHO.

Run the wires to 'desired' locations. Some Cat5 (or better) around to where you might want cameras, a whole bunch of 18 gauge 'alarm wire' to all the doors and windows and to be able to hard wire in the required smoke detectors and optional (required in my book) CO detector(s).

some info (no endorsement, either plus or minus, just an info site I found with a quick google-fu search on "DIY security wiring") :

http://www.structuredhomewiring.com/Wiring/TypesOfWires/

 

[happy2rv]

I also installed a DSC alarm system (Power 832) about 15 years ago. The DSC system is pretty flexible. We installed door and window contacts for all entry points in zones pretty much by room. We also installed smoke detectors and motion sensors. About 5 years ago I added indoor siren/strobes in the master bedroom and my son's bedroom, similar to this one. It occurred to me that the siren we had wasn't very loud inside and was located on the other side of the house from the MBR. We could have possibly slept through an alarm before. Now, unless we are overcome by smoke or CO we WILL hear the alarm now. My sister in law set the alarm off one morning when she was visiting. It was definitely effective...

The builder installed the "required" smoke detectors and we left those in place as a back up, adding the security system connected detectors. We are overdue to replace the smoke detectors and I'm looking to replace them soon. When I do I will probably add heat sensors in the garage.

We also installed a keypad and a zone expander in the detached garage when we built it.

There is a company called Next Alarm, www.nextalarm.com that monitors using dial up over internet (it doesn't require special cards for the alarm system, they send you a voip adapter you plug in to your network) if you decide to have it monitored. They are pretty reasonable. There are cheaper places that use standard phone lines if you have a land line.