cellular module for GE Concord alarm panel
#1
01-20-06, 01:59 AM
cellular module for GE Concord alarm panel
I am thinking of upgrading to a GE Concord or Concord Ultra alarm panel so that I can directly integrate it with my home automation system. My current system (safewatch pro 3000EN) has an Ademco cellular backup to call ADT. Does anyone know if this module will work with the GE Concord panel. If not, does GE offer a cellular module that can be programmed to call ADT?
Thanks,
Nick
Thanks,
Nick
#2
01-20-06, 05:45 PM
The answer is a qualified "maybe". Depending on which cell dialer you have, it may simply need trigger inputs from the panel to work. If it's one that ties into the keypad bus then you would have to get a different one.
There are a couple of cell dialers out there that can be programmed for any number, others pass through a propriatery network. I'm not sure about the one designed for the ITI panels.
There are a couple of cell dialers out there that can be programmed for any number, others pass through a propriatery network. I'm not sure about the one designed for the ITI panels.
#3
01-21-06, 08:33 PM
With a concord version 3.0 and higher you have a couple of options. You can use either a direct cellular backup such as a Teleguard or some form of backup that has you stick the phone line into the cellular back and then to the rj31x jack and then to the panel. This is a true cellular backup, we very rarely install them in the residential installation because the costs can't be justified. The cheaper fix for the concord is using the alarm.com module that ties directly into the concord via the data bus. The signals are sent over a radiopage network and then onward to whatever central station is monitoring your alarm system. The central station your using to monitor your system must support this protocol and have the infrastructure in place to use it. Hope this helps.
#4
01-21-06, 08:39 PM
Thanks for the info. I have been looking at alarm.com. My understanding is that you would have to use there equipment to broadcast to them and they would then broadcast to my alarm company. The only issue I have with this is that they charge $35 a month on top of what the alarm company is charging. Can their equipment be reprogrammed to transmit directly to my alarm company?
Right now I have an alarmnet cellular backup on my ADT system, but I want to upgrade to the Concord panel so I can integrate with my home automation system. I really want to keep the cellular backup becuase I use VOIP for my telephone and I sometimes have signal problems when the alarm calls in (although it usually works). On the other hand, I really want to avoid paying a middle man to transmit my signal to the alarm company for me.
Thanks again,
Nick
Right now I have an alarmnet cellular backup on my ADT system, but I want to upgrade to the Concord panel so I can integrate with my home automation system. I really want to keep the cellular backup becuase I use VOIP for my telephone and I sometimes have signal problems when the alarm calls in (although it usually works). On the other hand, I really want to avoid paying a middle man to transmit my signal to the alarm company for me.
Thanks again,
Nick
#5
01-21-06, 08:52 PM
I'm not a fan of VOIP and Alarms, I've seen too many problems. The Alarm.com module can't be reprogrammed its signal is sent to them, and onward to your central station. If you want to upgrade to a concord my advice to you, install the concord on solely a alarm.com module, without the telephone line connected to the VOIP. Then you'd only have to pay the one monitoring fee, although if your already locked into a contract with your current provider this might not be an option unless your willing to break the contract. The $35 fee a month is for all the features of the alarm.com, remote arm and disarm, remote code changes, event scheduler for x10 stuff...etc It also includes monitoring through them for a phone line connection too. Theres a downgraded verison that just includes alarm monitoring via the alarm.com module with no special features, I'm not sure the price you can get on that through them or if they advertise it, but it does exist.
As for your ademco cellular backup, Its most likely a 7845CV2. Which is also a radiopage backup and sends the signal to a system similar to alarm.com. But being you have a safewatch, I'm guessing you have ADT? Which would mean this backup system has most likely been programmed at the factory to send the signals to them.
As for your ademco cellular backup, Its most likely a 7845CV2. Which is also a radiopage backup and sends the signal to a system similar to alarm.com. But being you have a safewatch, I'm guessing you have ADT? Which would mean this backup system has most likely been programmed at the factory to send the signals to them.
#6
01-22-06, 06:17 AM
Thanks gabe24. You are correct, I have ADT. I do not have a contract and can cancel at any time. I receive a discount that makes them very competetive with most other companies I have seen, but I have been looking at alternatives for when I upgrade.
As far as the VOIP, I have done a large amount of tweeking on my network including QOS and whole house filtering. I have been able to greatly improve my signal to the point where my alarm, fax and Tivo appear to work without failure 98% of the time. I try and test the alarm on a monthly basis and the Tivo calls out every 4 or 5 days. With that said, I have received a couple of communications failures during the alarms selft test. It has happened twice. That is enough to convince me to stick with some form of backup device.
I called one of the alternative monitoring companies I am considering the other day to find out more about their service (AlarmRelay.com). They did tell me that their technicians could help me reprogram the alarmnet module, but I didn't specifically tell them that it was provided through ADT. I would need to confirm this with them.
As far as the VOIP, I have done a large amount of tweeking on my network including QOS and whole house filtering. I have been able to greatly improve my signal to the point where my alarm, fax and Tivo appear to work without failure 98% of the time. I try and test the alarm on a monthly basis and the Tivo calls out every 4 or 5 days. With that said, I have received a couple of communications failures during the alarms selft test. It has happened twice. That is enough to convince me to stick with some form of backup device.
I called one of the alternative monitoring companies I am considering the other day to find out more about their service (AlarmRelay.com). They did tell me that their technicians could help me reprogram the alarmnet module, but I didn't specifically tell them that it was provided through ADT. I would need to confirm this with them.
#7
01-26-06, 02:53 PM
Nick-
I just switched over to vonage which is how i heard about alarm.com - they have some good promos for vonage folks (www.alarm.com/vonage). After talking with a rep and doing a thorough comparison of the alternatives (cell backup, etc), i decided to go with alarm.com and have been really pleased so far. As a GadgetGuy, i was won over by the ability to control the system and see system events through my computer or my pda. But my wife (who is NOT a GadgetGal..haha) has been pretty impressed too. She was scared of our old system, but the web control of the alarm.com system is really easy to use - so it's actually become kind of addictive for her. We both work long hours, so she logs in every day to see when our 15 year old gets home from practice. Pretty nice feature. We rarely armed our old system, so it was a useless metal box 75% of the time. But now even when we don't arm it, the alarm.com interface allows us to see what's happening in our home. The only thing these guys don't have is video camera, but they said that's coming out later this year.
I just switched over to vonage which is how i heard about alarm.com - they have some good promos for vonage folks (www.alarm.com/vonage). After talking with a rep and doing a thorough comparison of the alternatives (cell backup, etc), i decided to go with alarm.com and have been really pleased so far. As a GadgetGuy, i was won over by the ability to control the system and see system events through my computer or my pda. But my wife (who is NOT a GadgetGal..haha) has been pretty impressed too. She was scared of our old system, but the web control of the alarm.com system is really easy to use - so it's actually become kind of addictive for her. We both work long hours, so she logs in every day to see when our 15 year old gets home from practice. Pretty nice feature. We rarely armed our old system, so it was a useless metal box 75% of the time. But now even when we don't arm it, the alarm.com interface allows us to see what's happening in our home. The only thing these guys don't have is video camera, but they said that's coming out later this year.
#8
01-26-06, 06:15 PM
Alarm.Com
I'm an Alarm.Com user and I have been absolutely pleased with their product. I installed the Concord panel and have 28 zones monitored, including 2 supervised smoke/heat detectors.
Alarm.com is great for those of us who have VOIP phone systems. It works totally independent of any phone system and is very flexible. The sensors are easy to install (as is the panel and communications module) and I've yet to have a problem.
The powerful software and panel programming really enhance the security and control.
The web pages are very useful and, as stated by others, provide a great tool for home monitoring.
Throw a voice module and speaker/siren in and the system will really talk to you.
Good luck!
Alarm.com is great for those of us who have VOIP phone systems. It works totally independent of any phone system and is very flexible. The sensors are easy to install (as is the panel and communications module) and I've yet to have a problem.
The powerful software and panel programming really enhance the security and control.
The web pages are very useful and, as stated by others, provide a great tool for home monitoring.
Throw a voice module and speaker/siren in and the system will really talk to you.
Good luck!
