The previous owner installed a comprehensive hardwired Vector 3000 in the late '80s. When I moved into the house six years ago, we had one alarm company try to get the system working. They complained it was outdated and tried to sell me a new system for about $2500. Another alarm contractor came it and had it up and running in 2 hours. It's worked great ever since.

Now one of the keypads has failed. According to documentation I've found on the web, it's not the original keypad. Since the rest of the system works, I'd love to just replace the keypad.

Question 1: Does anyone know what keypad this is and where to get one?

Question 2: Looking forward, when this thing eventually fails, what's a good replacement controller that can handle the two dozen zones and use the existing wiring?

Main Panel

Keypad

 

The keypad seems to be the upgrade alpha keypad, probably made toward the end of the production run of this line.

This was one of the earliest "addressable" systems that used polling loop technology, so a lot of the contacts and devices may be non-conventional.

There are a number of systems that use a similar technology, but you would have to replace all of the existing address module/translator devices. This type of system is a lot more complex (setup wise) than a conventional alarm.

There's no in production replacement parts for this baby, short of a blind stab on something like ebay, you are out of luck.

 

Thanks for the reply!

Are the "address module/translator devices" the small boxes on the panel?

What about the door/window sensors themselves? Are they standard enough to work with a modern system?

Finally, any idea where to look for modern systems that use a similar technology? Brands? Models?

Thanks, again!

 

Yes they are. If everything homeruns to that location, and none of the modules are in remote locations, you can simply convert the thing to a conventional system (and get back a few square feet of wall). Normally, those modules would be closer to the devices they monitor (there are a number of installation advantages to this type of system). I think that what you have was someone trying to make a specifically zoned system back when it was _very_ hard to do with hardwired panel.

Modern panels can be set up to take a very large number of hardwired zones (generally in multiples of 8).

Those modules are specific to he Vector series and Ademco discontinued that line in the mid 80's.

 

First may I say. You gotta love those old school installations. At least yours is very neat and accessible. If you wanted to just change the panel. (might as well upgrade and eliminate those modules) As MrRon advised. You could use a v-50 Ademco left it with the capability to utilize the older equipment. But if the modules in the picture are all of them upgrade and eliminate

 

Just to state the obvious is the keypad in the picture the one you are having trouble with? Did you disconnect the red and yellow wires to silence it. If this keypad works and is not being utilized swap it for the one that is giving you the problem