I am a homeowner and plan to expand my house alarm system minimally, and I am looking for some words of wisdom. I had a DSC Power 832 installed approximately 1.5 years ago by an alarm company, who also does the central monitoring. The system consists of:
PC5010
PC5132 Wireless Receiver
PC5516 16 zone LED keypad
12 zones - All wireless: 4 wireless smoke; 3 wireless motion; 5 wireless door-window
Indoor siren
Outdoor siren

I would like to add a new wireless motion detector and a second 16 zone LED keypad (in Masterbedroom). I have already fished wire to run CAT5 wire from the controller to the new keypad location (pain in the a**).

I have received a quote from the original installation company, of $500.00 ($370 parts, $130 labor). I have done a bit of research, and based on the listed prices of a PC5516 keypad ($53) and a WLS-904 motion detector ($75), the quote seems outrageous.

I have a copy of the installation manual and worksheets, and I have read them carefully. I have a reasonable sense of how to do this myself; however, the installer's code is no longer set at the default. (I am a novice with respect to working on my alarm system, but on the other hand, I have successfully completed other home-projects with assistance, including wiring a subpanel with a 220 line per NEC, installing structured wiring and hardware throughout the house for integrated video/telephone/internet system, etc.). It appears that a $14 investment for a RS232 serial connector and the DSC software (another $14) are good investments to make programming less difficult.

Here are my questions:
1)If I do the installation myself, are warranty issues realistically a probem (system is 1.5 years old)?
2)Is the original installer somewhat obliged to give to me the installer's code? At a minimum, is it fair to ask them to change it back to the factory default?
3) For me to accomplish this work, is it necessary or beneficial for me to know how the installer set up the system originally? (i.e. do I have to obtain information other than the installer's code?) Is it reasonable to assume that the existing keypad is a global keypad assigned to slot 1, and that I can simply assign slot 2 (global) to this keypad?
4) Am I being foolish, and perhaps its simply best to cough up the $500 to have the alarm company do this work to avoid irritating the alarm company and to avoid screwing something up?

Thanks very much for your assistance.

 

My house was wired but didn't have an alarm system. I bought an DSC 832 and installed it myself. The documentation is very good and it was quite easy to install. I've since upgraded to 16 zones, installed more sensors. I love it.

You should have no problems with your upgrade.

 

Has your system been uploaded by the installing company? If not
I can upload it and give you the Installer code. I have installed hundreds of 832's and I think it is the best by far. I am retired from the security game, but still keep my hand in. My youngest Son is a Fighter Jock in N.C. and has an 832, He controls every light in his Home with it and his Hot Water Heater. When he has a problem I Upload it and fix the problem, Since I am in Alabama
and would be a 7 hour drive to go there and do it.
As far as the cost, all you need is the motion detector, less than
$50.00, for the motion and I would use the LCD Keypad in the add-on as it makes programming much easier for you. about $80.00. If I can help let me know.

 

Badeye1941:
Thanks for you response. I'm not sure what you mean by "uploaded," however, I can tell you that it was programmed by the installer, and they have changed the manufacturer's default installer code [5010]. They will not give me the code. They have offered to blank out the system and reset the installer code to the manufacturer's default, but they would not monitor me anymore. This may end up being worthwhile, because I can find another company that will monitor us for approximately the same amount ($20/month), and they will only charge $50 to come in, check out the system, and program it.

I appreciate your offer, but it's a long drive, and I think that I have an alternate solution.

thanks for the input

 

Bob, I am interested in installing a system for myself. Did you program your system yourself? If so, is it reasonably easy to figure out how to program it from the documentation they supply? (I am an engineer and handyman, but have not put in any alarm systems before.)

 

Badeye, Is it easier for a DIY'er to program with the LCD keypad than the alpha? I will be getting a couple of systems for my house soon, and was leaning toward DSC. I might be able to use an 832 but I might go with an 864 also depending on how I want to set it up. (four family house w/ basement). I may install several individual systems instead of one big one.

 

I prefer the LCD to the LED Keypad, because it makes programming much easier, I haven't used the 864, but I am
sure it will work fine. I have installed hundreds of the 832's and
am very pleased with them. I am in the process of installing
the DSC Communiqe Telephone System, and it lives up to the name.

BadEye