Question for MrRONFl or other gurus - garage door status on Vista 20se

I have an installed Vista20se (ADT Safewatch 2000 Pro).

I am in the process of adding a second KP in the master bedoroom.

In addition (and the reason for this post) is that I am looking add a sensor to my garage overhead door and have it display the doors open/closed status on the KP or fault when I attempt to arm.

I hate running downstairs at night to make sure I closed the overhead door.
I know that Sears and others offer a Garage Door Monitor gadget, but it seems a shame not to tie it to the alarm.

The trick is that I dont want the garage door to alarm the system. It takes me too long to get in and disarm the alarm from the garage.
I just want to know if it is closed (at this time, unless someone here has a better idea).

If the system won't let me arm with the door open, and not alarm the system when I open it, I think I'll be happy (for now).

It would be nice to have 2 seperate scenarios.
One where the system performs as stated above and a second where the garage door opening up WOULD alarm the system (vacation, etc).

What is everyone else doing with this area?

Thanks
jw

 

With the system you are using, your options are limited. There is a "no alarm response" zone type, but the only way to get your vacation scenario is to go into programming and change it to one of the other zone types.

 

I could forego the vacation scenario for now.

The programming guide isn't especially clear:
Type 23 No Alarm Response: This zone type can be used on a zone when an output relay action is desired, but with no accompanying alarm (e.g., lobby door access).

Do you know if the "No alarm response" zone will keep the system from arming if the door is not shut? This is what I would like to have happen.

Also - on a similar note, can my system support X-10 output to close the door if open when arming the system?

thanks
jon

 

What I have done at my own house, because I had the same situation, was to add the overhead garage door sensors to the system and program as zone type 02. This will allow you to have a second entry/exit delay other than the primary entry/exit points. It is programmable on your panel up to 99 seconds. Would this be enough time for you to enter and exit?

It is always scary to wake up in the morning realizing you had the garage door open all night long.

 

99 seconds would likely be plenty of time, but I am not sure if the family would/could get in the habit.
Checking the mail or chatting with the neighbors seems to be the first thing done. Plus, even I open the garage door as soon as it is in view, while still a block away.

Could opening the garage overhead door actually disarm the alarm?

It still seems that Type 23 is a solid option, but I am not at all familiar with its programming.

I am still (as of today) searching ebay for an Alpha keypad to even start the process.

All suggestions appreciated.
I would guess that this is a popular topic, although not many posts here (DIY.com) regarding garage doors and alarms.

Keep the ideas coming !

thanks
j

 

As far as I know, the no alarm response zones will still keep you from getting a ready light, they just won't trip the sirens and dialer.

In general, you don't get a lot of alarm contacts on garage doors because they are considered _very_ difficult to force open (if there is a garage door opener), so excepting high crime areas, residential systems rarely call for overhead door contacts.

Using overhead door contacts for status checking of the door is the most common application.

 

First of all: Thanks to all that have offered info to this newbie !

Now that I have decided to forego my vacation scenario below, and simply add overhead contacts to monitor the garage door....

How can I go about adding the functionality (At the keypad) to clode the garage door if open?

I see that there is an Ademco 4300 transformer with X10.

Will I need to pursue X10 in order to clode the door or is there something 'built in' to my ADT Safewatch Pro 2000?

In my perfect world (ha), I would have a "Not Ready" at the keypad when I arm at night.
I would see that the garage door is open and enter a code to CLOSE the garage door.
Am I dreaming?

I look forward to the time when I can contribute to this forum and not mooch so much.

Thanks !!
Jon

 

You can use the output programming to drive a relay to operate the garage door. The programming is pretty straight forward. The hardware details depends on what type of external switches your garage door opener accepts.

You would need an Ademco 4204 relay board, at the least.