Advice needed- updating house alarm in Dublin 15

cruisingr32

Hi guys,

Looking for your thoughts and advice for a house alam.

We have a three bed room terrece house in Ongar, Dublin 15.
Down stairs - Front door, large living room window, patio door, kitchen window.
Up stairs - three opening windows, one fixed wondow.

The house is already wired and alarmed but we are looking to update the alarm.

Is there a system would you recommend?
Is there an installer you would recommend?

KoolKid

My 2 recommendations for a System would be Siemens Vanderbilt or GSD .
If you are looking at self monitoring they have free apps & free usage with excellent notification poll times etc.
There are a lot of factors involved. Take a look at the sticky here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057394782
And some other posts on the subject.
A good new system should last you up to 15 years. Its a long time to get tied into annual or monthly fees for.

cruisingr32

Thank you for the reply Koolkid.

I would like to take my time and study up on what is available now but the other half wants it done asap.

We are only looking for a stand alone alarm, self monitoring would be a bonus but external monitoring is a waste in my opinion unless they have their own staff to come check on a house.

I was leaning towards a HKC alarm as I know a few people using them that are very happy.
I will have a look at the Siemens and GSD though.

cruisingr32

Before I start calling around random alarm companies that google suggests can someone tell me what a basic alarm (two doors, five opening windows, one fixed window & PIR) will cost?

KoolKid

We don't really get into pricing on thread.

exador

Hi,

Can you recommend someone in Dublin 15 area to carry out maintenance on house alarm. It is the original alarm which is now about 20 years old and has been trouble free but have a very annoying clicking noise coming from the internal box in the hotpress upstairs.

I want to get this sorted and a routine check over everything else...Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks

KoolKid

Would it be an Astec system by any chance?

exador

The only name on the box is Nationwide Alarms but I don't think that they are in Business anymore ?

KoolKid

That would be the installer, is there a model or make on the keypad, or can you describe the keypad.

exador

no name other than the installer.

If I upload a photo would this help ?

altor

exador wrote: »

no name other than the installer.

If I upload a photo would this help ?

Yes do and someone will point you in the right direction.
Blank out installers name if possible.

KoolKid

exador wrote: »

no name other than the installer.

If I upload a photo would this help ?

Yes it would or a description of the buttons.
Is there buttons Clear/Set/Full/Part?
or 1-9 /0/ X etc

exador

photo

altor

exador wrote: »

photo

Might be a relay for the bell clicking inside the box.
If you have a look at the PSA website here you will be able to get it sorted.

exador

altor wrote: »

Might be a relay for the bell clicking inside the box.
If you have a look at the PSA website here you will be able to get it sorted.

Got that...Thanks....

The clicking noise has stopped for the moment but I am going to get it looked at anyway.

KoolKid

Its more than likely a faulty internal siren or a power issue. That system certainly does not owe you anything. Having said that they were a great system.
We have often got around this fault by switching the bell to another output or powering it permanently and switching through a separate relay.
Unless its giving you any other problems a quick fix might get you going for another while.

altor

exador wrote: »

Got that...Thanks....

The clicking noise has stopped for the moment but I am going to get it looked at anyway.

No harm if its in that long.

fred funk }{

exador wrote: »

Got that...Thanks....

The clicking noise has stopped for the moment but I am going to get it looked at anyway.

You'd be better off upgrading it rather than spending money repairing it.

exador

KoolKid wrote: »

Its more than likely a faulty internal siren or a power issue. That system certainly does not owe you anything. Having said that they were a great system.
We have often got around this fault by switching the bell to another output or powering it permanently and switching through a separate relay.
Unless its giving you any other problems a quick fix might get you going for another while.

Thanks... I have plans to put extension on within the next 12 months or so and was going to change the alarm system then. Quickfix is on the cards as never had any problems

KoolKid

Probably the best way to go with it.If you need anything lets know.

exador

KoolKid wrote: »

Probably the best way to go with it.If you need anything lets know.

The clicking noise is back and I emailed one of the Companies on the link and called another one but still waiting on a call back. Would anyone have a contact for someone they could recommend in Dublin 15 area ?

altor

exador wrote: »

The clicking noise is back and I emailed one of the Companies on the link and called another one but still waiting on a call back. Would anyone have a contact for someone they could recommend in Dublin 15 area ?

If you hear noting back from them here is the link to the PSA website with list of installers.

exador

altor wrote: »

If you hear noting back from them here is the link to the PSA website with list of installers.

Just found a name and number in the local paper and he is also listed on the PSA website so have sent him a message. Hopefully he will get back.

Thanks

altor

exador wrote: »

Just found a name and number in the local paper and he is also listed on the PSA website so have sent him a message. Hopefully he will get back.

Thanks

No problem, hope you get it sorted.

At its age I wouldn't recommend investing to much in it.

exador

altor wrote: »

No problem, hope you get it sorted.

At its age I wouldn't recommend investing to much in it.

Cheers... If I can just stop the clicking noise I will be happy as working ok other than that and driving me mad.

altor

exador wrote: »

Cheers... If I can just stop the clicking noise I will be happy as working ok other than that and driving me mad.

Is the clicking that loud?

exador

altor wrote: »

Is the clicking that loud?

It is in the hot press next to the bedroom so can hear it and can't sleep...

altor

exador wrote: »

It is in the hot press next to the bedroom so can hear it and can't sleep...

Its a bit late to be opening it up.
If you dont get anyone tomorrow id chance opening up the unit. Simply put in your code to silence the alarm if it activates and listen out for the clicking to see where its coming from inside the panel.

exador

altor wrote: »

Its a bit late to be opening it up.
If you dont get anyone tomorrow id chance opening up the unit. Simply put in your code to silence the alarm if it activates and listen out for the clicking to see where its coming from inside the panel.

I already tried that last week. It appears to be coming from a unit below the control panel which appears to be the internal siren, I think ? I can't see how I can open the unit so maybe it is sealed ?

exador

exador wrote: »

I already tried that last week. It appears to be coming from a unit below the control panel which appears to be the internal siren, I think ? I can't see how I can open the unit so maybe it is sealed ?

If you look at the photo I uploaded you can just about see the below the control panel. Is this the internal siren ?

exador

exador wrote: »

If you look at the photo I uploaded you can just about see the below the control panel. Is this the internal siren ?

Better photo

altor

exador wrote: »

Better photo

Yes that is the internal bell.
There is also a buzzer inside that panel which could be the issue.

fred funk }{

Those internals are known to make that clicking noise. Could be a battery problem.

exador

altor wrote: »

Yes that is the internal bell.
There is also a buzzer inside that panel which could be the issue.

The clicking sounds like a relay and is about two or three clicks per second..Can I disconnect this easily ?

altor

exador wrote: »

The clicking sounds like a relay and is about two or three clicks per second..Can I disconnect this easily ?

If you are sure its the relay then you should be able to.
Also you would need to know what the relay is for, may be the external bell.

exador

altor wrote: »

If you are sure its the relay then you should be able to.
Also you would need to know what the relay is for, may be the external bell.

Thanks for all your help. I changed the battery in the control panel as it was the original one. Is there a battery inside the siren/bell as well ?

Anyway, Thanks again for all the useful information..

altor

exador wrote: »

Thanks for all your help. I changed the battery in the control panel as it was the original one. Is there a battery inside the siren/bell as well ?

Anyway, Thanks again for all the useful information..

You are welcome.

In the internal no but external yes, could also be the bell itself causing the issue as it may be connected to a relay in the panel.

KoolKid

It's very easy to isolate this down. Start by opening the internal siren. There is one screw behind the cover in the centre. If the alarm activates disarm it with your code.
Remove the +&- connections and see if the noise stops.
If that doesn't work look into the panel and see if you can see where it's coming from. Maybe post a picture of the inside.
Have you a multimeter to check the aux power output.?
It's a regular issue with those systems over time where the rectifier is gone.

exador

KoolKid wrote: »

It's very easy to isolate this down. Start by opening the internal siren. There is one screw behind the cover in the centre. If the alarm activates disarm it with your code.
Remove the +&- connections and see if the noise stops.
If that doesn't work look into the panel and see if you can see where it's coming from. Maybe post a picture of the inside.
Have you a multimeter to check the aux power output.?
It's a regular issue with those systems over time where the rectifier is gone.

All sorted..Thanks...problem was faulty strobe light on outside box which was feeding back to the box inside ? All fixed now

KoolKid

Glad you got that sorted.Enjoy a good quiet nights sleep.
If you need anything come back to us.

altor

exador wrote: »

All sorted..Thanks...problem was faulty strobe light on outside box which was feeding back to the box inside ? All fixed now

Brilliant, glad you got it sorted.

exador

KoolKid wrote: »

Glad you got that sorted.Enjoy a good quiet nights sleep.
If you need anything come back to us.

Cheers... would recommend the guy if anyone else looking for engineer. He was very genuine guy and called back when he said he would and was there when he said he would be there... he also explained everything very well and seemed to know his stuff.

KoolKid

Thats what you want.