Turning on alarm system without a company
- Thread starter NastyNate
- Start date
malibu101
Well-known member
I do not have a direct answer to your question.
But, the few "older" systems I've seen just had an output contact that started a dialer to call out. Certainly in this day and age I'd suspect the dialing capability is right in the alarm head itself. Heck, alarm systems even have a cell phone backup feature these days.
Nonetheless, with a password I don't see why you could not make it work "locally" (not connected to phone/cell/network)
I'm curious and await someone with more knowledge than I on these systems to fill us in.
But, the few "older" systems I've seen just had an output contact that started a dialer to call out. Certainly in this day and age I'd suspect the dialing capability is right in the alarm head itself. Heck, alarm systems even have a cell phone backup feature these days.
Nonetheless, with a password I don't see why you could not make it work "locally" (not connected to phone/cell/network)
I'm curious and await someone with more knowledge than I on these systems to fill us in.
Gary S
Well-known member
I have no experience with home systems so I can't tell you how yours works, and they aren't all likely the same anyway.
I have worked with alarm systems in commercial buildings, and the ones I was around were controlled right there in the building. The alarm company and the fire department monitor them, but we turned them on and off ourselves in the building.
I have worked with alarm systems in commercial buildings, and the ones I was around were controlled right there in the building. The alarm company and the fire department monitor them, but we turned them on and off ourselves in the building.
nehog
Well-known member
Find all the identifying numbers and names on the box, and post them... Some can be (mine for example, is fully programmable, and I can give it any phone number(s) I want to use...)
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Most of the companies lock them out so they can't be reprogrammed, at least not by the end user. The dialers are built in to the newer panels, you just connect your phone line with an RJ31X jack (for line seizure)
Without monitoring, it's just a loud siren
Without monitoring, it's just a loud siren
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Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Without knowing more about what your setup is it's hard to say what will happen. If it's not being monitored, what happens if there's an alarm condition? Does it have an alarm horn?
Activate the system? You mean just set the alarm? We do it all the time with ours. Had a complete system installed when we built our home so we can set all the systems. If it get tripped, the siren goes off in and out of the house. We would have to sign up for monitoring service to call out emergency numbers.
NitroPress
Well-known member
You can always replace the control box with an "open" version over which you have complete programming and setup control. My house here came with an extensively wired ADT system that cannot be reprogrammed by the user... so the control board goes in the trash and I'll put in my own controller that uses the window, door and fire sensors.
You can make any system unmonitored by simply disconnecting it from the phone line. As several posters noted, be sure to check the local regs and rules - some jurisdictions will really whack your nuts for unlicensed or unmonitored alarms.
By the way, one of the most effective things you can have an alarm do is set off an absolutely deafening bell or horn... inside the house. Even the most determined and nervy burglar will get rattled right back out the door by enough decibels.
You can make any system unmonitored by simply disconnecting it from the phone line. As several posters noted, be sure to check the local regs and rules - some jurisdictions will really whack your nuts for unlicensed or unmonitored alarms.
By the way, one of the most effective things you can have an alarm do is set off an absolutely deafening bell or horn... inside the house. Even the most determined and nervy burglar will get rattled right back out the door by enough decibels.
Ok few things. I dont want to replace the control boxes as of now, simply because of cost and time. I have 2 control boxes. Both are Honeywell k4392v2
There is a large horn in the front of my garage in the attic so I assume it is for the alarm.
I recently purchased the home, and during the home inspection an alarm company came out to verify the alarm and all its systems worked. However I knew nothing of the horn at this point and do know if he even checked to see if it worked. The control boxes have power and show what systems are being tripped, its just not active. So I see all the read outs saying room 1 window or motion room 3.
As for the "laws" requiring me to have a monitored system is silly. I understand if I am not home and the system runs for hours on end at 4am but I dont really cares what happens when im not home. System can be turned off. Things can be replaced lives cant.
I really just want it to make noise when the fire/smoke detectors go off, window monitors, glass break monitors, and my motion monitors go off. When the alarm goes off I grab my gun and fire extinguisher. Hopefully I wont try to put out a fire with my gun.
There is a large horn in the front of my garage in the attic so I assume it is for the alarm.
I recently purchased the home, and during the home inspection an alarm company came out to verify the alarm and all its systems worked. However I knew nothing of the horn at this point and do know if he even checked to see if it worked. The control boxes have power and show what systems are being tripped, its just not active. So I see all the read outs saying room 1 window or motion room 3.
As for the "laws" requiring me to have a monitored system is silly. I understand if I am not home and the system runs for hours on end at 4am but I dont really cares what happens when im not home. System can be turned off. Things can be replaced lives cant.
I really just want it to make noise when the fire/smoke detectors go off, window monitors, glass break monitors, and my motion monitors go off. When the alarm goes off I grab my gun and fire extinguisher. Hopefully I wont try to put out a fire with my gun.
Teken
Well-known member
Those who wish to go with out monitoring are just playing with fire.
Plain and simple . . .
I have the epitome of a fort knox alarm system installed on premises. Even with all the bells & whistles, along with every known physical barrier to stop an intruder.
I have my system monitored by three separate systems and companies. When you're laying in bed and the smoke, gas, medical condition over comes you.
That cell phone which is next to your head while you're lingering to grab your last breath will not help you.
A monitored security alarm system will . . .
1. You're in a sub level parking lot = failed cell reception
2. You're out of cell tower range = failed cell reception
3. You're not around to hear the phone ring / vibrate = failed to communicate
In the USA there are thousands of monitoring companies who start their service at $9.99, if you can't afford $9.99 to monitor life and property.
Really, you're not serious about true security . . .
Plain and simple . . .
I have the epitome of a fort knox alarm system installed on premises. Even with all the bells & whistles, along with every known physical barrier to stop an intruder.
I have my system monitored by three separate systems and companies. When you're laying in bed and the smoke, gas, medical condition over comes you.
That cell phone which is next to your head while you're lingering to grab your last breath will not help you.
A monitored security alarm system will . . .
1. You're in a sub level parking lot = failed cell reception
2. You're out of cell tower range = failed cell reception
3. You're not around to hear the phone ring / vibrate = failed to communicate
In the USA there are thousands of monitoring companies who start their service at $9.99, if you can't afford $9.99 to monitor life and property.
Really, you're not serious about true security . . .
I'm with ya. Screw the law you're doing it for the right reasons. How good are you with a pc. Anything electronic can be hacked with the right amount of willpower/research. I wanted an alarm for our home but we don't have a land line. I thought about finding a used system and setting up like you are trying to do.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
That part number is just the keypad. I'm guessing it's a Vista series panel, used to be Ademco.
MoToys
Well-known member
Jeff is correct and Teken makes very good points.
Call a local trusted alarm company and have them walk you through your options.
Call a local trusted alarm company and have them walk you through your options.
Most of the companies lock them out so they can't be reprogrammed, at least not by the end user. The dialers are built in to the newer panels, you just connect your phone line with an RJ31X jack (for line seizure)
Without monitoring, it's just a loud siren
MoToys
Well-known member
You can have an alarm that uses a gsm module only to call out.
Strouty
Well-known member
Around here you must notify the local PD so they know what is going on and who to contact if the alarm siren is going off while no one is there.
Unless you are setting it at night for your piece of mind, it doesn't make much sense to set a house alarm without someone monitoring it. Think about all those car alarms that everyone has heard and though man that is annoying. I don't think I have ever seen people run to a car with an alarm going off, saying are you robbing the car?
This is how I'm looking at it.
1: land line I do not have. Cheapest for me $25.00
2: Cheapest monitoring that I have found $25.00
So $50.00 a month
Are there cheaper monitoring companies out there who service my area, maybe.
1: In the past 28 years I have never had anything other than a locked door and a gun.
2: The smoke detectors work just fine the alarm would simply use the large horn in the attic.
3: Break ins are going to do nothing for me with or without a monitoring system WHILE IM AT HOME. The police will arrive along time after they leave or someone is dead.
4: This is a small step up from nothing at all. So to say I have no concern for safety is a stretch.
All these reasons are to just better protect myself while I'm at home. Yes I would like to be able to have 10 security companies monitor my house armed guards with mp5s and maybe someday I will. FOR NOW I just wanted some information to get it going.
Again this is better than no system at all. I was simply utilizing a feature with zero cost.
1: land line I do not have. Cheapest for me $25.00
2: Cheapest monitoring that I have found $25.00
So $50.00 a month
Are there cheaper monitoring companies out there who service my area, maybe.
1: In the past 28 years I have never had anything other than a locked door and a gun.
2: The smoke detectors work just fine the alarm would simply use the large horn in the attic.
3: Break ins are going to do nothing for me with or without a monitoring system WHILE IM AT HOME. The police will arrive along time after they leave or someone is dead.
4: This is a small step up from nothing at all. So to say I have no concern for safety is a stretch.
All these reasons are to just better protect myself while I'm at home. Yes I would like to be able to have 10 security companies monitor my house armed guards with mp5s and maybe someday I will. FOR NOW I just wanted some information to get it going.
Again this is better than no system at all. I was simply utilizing a feature with zero cost.
MoToys
Well-known member
Here on long island you can get monitoring for $20 per month.
And I will repeat what I said earlier, call a local company and have them out to your house to discuss options. ( a local company does not mean ADT or brinks.)
And I will repeat what I said earlier, call a local company and have them out to your house to discuss options. ( a local company does not mean ADT or brinks.)
shoot summ
Well-known member
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I've used this technology for over 3 years now, works great, and seems faster than a land line when it has called in.
gatchel
Well-known member
Get the numbers from the control panel and post them up.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Some panels can also be monitored over the internet.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
When unmonitored alarms become unlawed, we'll all be outlaws
Zeke
Well-known member
You bet they can and if you lived next door to me, I'd be turning your alarm off with a 12 ga.
You never know.
I was implying my alarm horn would be turned off while im not home, so to not disturb people while im away.
Teken
Well-known member
Was that a typo??
How would anyone know your home was being broken into with out the siren? Are you planning to use a strobe for visual confirmation and notification?
Otherwise, I can't see what the point of this is . . .
Was that a typo??
How would anyone know your home was being broken into with out the siren? Are you planning to use a strobe for visual confirmation and notification?
Otherwise, I can't see what the point of this is . . .
This is a temporary use. I just wanted to turn on the alarm while im home for a louder fire alarm and break in alarm. Thats it. Me or one of my family members are always home so there would be no need to turn off the system. If I leave town I have friends or family house sit for me. So the likelihood of no one being home is nill but if it were to happen the alarm siren would be turned off and I would simply monitor with my phone. I plan to fully monitor with a company down the road just wanted to start it up now.
Teken
Well-known member
With out the siren in place and active . . . This routine you're suggesting is akin to those who say they will change the battery every year for their smoke alarms, along with doing monthly checks!
In my personal experience the only time things like this are followed is IF there is a incentive to do so.
In my situation, the incentive is a huge insurance discount. The reverse of this is that IF I fail to perform, document, and abide by these rules there is a direct costs to me . . .
Consider long and hard about disabling the siren / horn while you're away. As this line of thought does not track, or make any sense . . .
Wish you all the very best in this endeavor . . .
dave67fd
Well-known member
Nate,
How about inquiring with the past homeowner. Do you have the system manual? I am quite shure your system can activate locally. How about calling the alarm company that inspected it. Maybe they could advise you on it's proper operation. Worse case they charge you a small fee for coming out.
How about inquiring with the past homeowner. Do you have the system manual? I am quite shure your system can activate locally. How about calling the alarm company that inspected it. Maybe they could advise you on it's proper operation. Worse case they charge you a small fee for coming out.
jawnd393
Well-known member
I have alarm monitoring that cost about $10 a month paid a year at a time.
This is the alarm monitor company I use. http://www.alarmrelay.com/
I'm in my 3rd year with them.
You can learn a lot about the alarm system here http://www.diysecurityforum.com/
There may be several passcodes for user, installer, & programming.
There should be a passcode to access programming on the alarm.
Maybe the installing company will give you the passcode. Maybe not.
It may be possible to default the system to the factory settings. There is a default password. The installer may have disabled the ability to default it.
I think they make a accessory so you can get monitoring through the cellular system. There's may be some extra cost for that. Don't really know.
My house had a old wired Radio Shack alarm. I was able to learn enough to install a DSC alarm panel, bought on ebay, and use the existing door switches, motion detectors, & fire alarms. It was a pain to program but it's doable.
I'm no expert. I just learned enough to do my own system.
This is the alarm monitor company I use. http://www.alarmrelay.com/
I'm in my 3rd year with them.
You can learn a lot about the alarm system here http://www.diysecurityforum.com/
There may be several passcodes for user, installer, & programming.
There should be a passcode to access programming on the alarm.
Maybe the installing company will give you the passcode. Maybe not.
It may be possible to default the system to the factory settings. There is a default password. The installer may have disabled the ability to default it.
I think they make a accessory so you can get monitoring through the cellular system. There's may be some extra cost for that. Don't really know.
My house had a old wired Radio Shack alarm. I was able to learn enough to install a DSC alarm panel, bought on ebay, and use the existing door switches, motion detectors, & fire alarms. It was a pain to program but it's doable.
I'm no expert. I just learned enough to do my own system.
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