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Alarm system for Remote, Unconnected shop?

AR1911

Active member
Joined
Jun 30, 2011
Messages
28
My shop is 30 miles from my home (Hey, it was cheap and otherwise perfect).
It has electricity, but no phone, no internet. For years i have been using a basic 3-zone, old-style alarm system from Radio Shack. It came with control box, keypad, motion sensor, and magnetic door switches, all direct wired. It triggers a siren on the roof, which is fine. I have good neighbors on 3 sides. This has served me well for many years, but of late it's been a bit flakey, and I don't trust it. Don't want to irritate my neighbors with false alarms!

I would like to find a new in-kind replacement for it, something that does not require phone or internet. Just reliable, old-school controller.
Does such a thing still exist?

Other suggestions welcome.
 
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mcbane

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Messages
794
Location
California
Residio aka Ademco aka Honeywell makes decent panels. Something like Vista 20p adequate for a small structure. And if cell service available at your location you could always add a cell communicator later.
 

wyliesdiesels

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Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
20,061
Location
Modesto, CA
you could upgrade to simpli-safe. while it does need wifi, it has a backup cellular connection and you could run it on that. its $25/mon for monitoring by profession central station.

install is easy since everything is wireless and you can remotely arm and disarm from the app on your phone.

if you install internet, you could setup some cams so you can verify if someone has broken in

ive been using simpli-safe on my home and shop for awhile now...
 
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AR1911

Active member
Joined
Jun 30, 2011
Messages
28
Residio aka Ademco aka Honeywell makes decent panels. Something like Vista 20p adequate for a small structure. And if cell service available at your location you could always add a cell communicator later.
That Ademco 15p looks promising. I'll find the manual and read up. Thanks!
 
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AR1911

Active member
Joined
Jun 30, 2011
Messages
28
you could upgrade to simpli-safe. while it does need wifi, it has a backup cellular connection and you could run it on that. its $25/mon for monitoring by profession central station.

install is easy since everything is wireless and you can remotely arm and disarm from the app on your phone.

if you install internet, you could setup some cams so you can verify if someone has broken in

ive been using simpli-safe on my home and shop for awhile now...

I've considered something like that, but the internet services available there are expensive and flakey. I rarely need internet out ther, and frankly it would be a distraction. If I really need it, I use my phone's hotspot. Prefer to stay with a wired system for now, with possibility of adding text notifications.
 

infinkc

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2012
Messages
862
Ah too bad, I just tossed my old alarm panel and keypads.

But yeah you could get a Simplisafe to have monitoring also, which is always nice. I believe you can use a ring alarm standalone also without service.
 

wyliesdiesels

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
20,061
Location
Modesto, CA
I've considered something like that, but the internet services available there are expensive and flakey. I rarely need internet out ther, and frankly it would be a distraction. If I really need it, I use my phone's hotspot. Prefer to stay with a wired system for now, with possibility of adding text notifications.
you dont have to use wifi with it. it can use cellular...
 

Stuart in MN

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Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,146
Location
Minneapolis
Cellular communicators are very common for Monitored alarm systems
I recently replaced the security system in my house. From what I understand, cellular radio communication is pretty much all that's used these days instead of hard wired telephone land lines. It also connects to my wifi, but that's for backup to the cellular radio.

To the original poster, you should be able to reuse your existing door switches and motion detector. It would be worth adding fire detection as well; usually rate of rise temperature sensors are used in a shop area, since they don't get false alarms from exhaust or dust like a regular smoke detector would.
 
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hardalada

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Mar 1, 2013
Messages
5,192
Location
New Zealand
It may be that the old sensors, especially if infra red detectors, are part of the flakiness...?
It may pay to use the old wires but replace all the sensors?
 

ycgoat

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Mar 28, 2020
Messages
971
Location
S.E. Va
I just have 2 celluar trail cameras. One inside, and 1 outside. Cheapest way to go, by far.
 

wyliesdiesels

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Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
20,061
Location
Modesto, CA
I recently replaced the security system in my house. From what I understand, cellular radio communication is pretty much all that's used these days instead of hard wired telephone land lines. It also connects to my wifi, but that's for backup to the cellular radio.

To the original poster, you should be able to reuse your existing door switches and motion detector. It would be worth adding fire detection as well; usually rate of rise temperature sensors are used in a shop area, since they don't get false alarms from exhaust or dust like a regular smoke detector would.
simplisafe is the opposite. wifi is primary and cellular is for backup
 

gpiggaz

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Joined
Mar 14, 2010
Messages
2,571
Location
Tucson, AZ & Edmonds, WA
I'll 3rd or 4th the suggestion to go with the Honeywell hardware- We bought ours and the monitoring service out of a place in FL - Alarmgrid.com They have been wonderful to work with- very easy to reach for tech support - lots of info on their web site, We pay $35/mo for monitoring with remote access. We have a Vista panel from them. works well. Cellular is the communications method.
 

inphx

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2012
Messages
1,287
Location
Phoenix/Scottsdale AZ
I poked around alarmgrid.com just now , i have used alarmrelay.com for several DIY office sites over the years - the products and prices for DIY are seemingly both at the low end over a local sales /installer commitment.
 

Innovate1

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 28, 2014
Messages
4,291
Location
Illinois near St. Louis, Missouri
I second Alarmrelay.com. Have used them for years. Recently switched from POTS line (Plain Old Telephone Service) to cellular monitoring. Monitoring is around $20/month. I would replace the panel and motion sensor - those are the most likely to be giving you trouble.
 

GilbertoS374

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2022
Messages
10
These days, you can use the alarm systems which runs on Ethernet or PSTN. The alarm systems are available for home and small businesses both.
 
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