ASTEC 63DV - Outdoor Alarm Box

Tinahely · 27-02-2012 11:49pm #1

Friends,

Looking for some more assistance - got some great help from KoolKid last week with a manual for the alarm - much appreciated & have replaced the battery!
Next problem - the outdoor bell is gone & the lights keep flashing - alarm works fine & makes plenty of noise in the house, however the outdoor alarm bell is not working
I have been told that the ASTEC alarms are no longer made & that bell boxes are very scarce
Any suggestions as to where I could go to source one?

Cheers,

Tinahely

fred funk }{ · 27-02-2012 11:52pm

Your best bet is to ring every electrical wholesalers in your area and hope for the best. There are very little, if any Astec equipment anywhere.

altor · 27-02-2012 11:57pm

If you cant get a Astec Bell box then adding a S22 to a global bell will allow you add a bell box to this system.

Tinahely · 28-02-2012 12:23am

Fred & Altor

Many thanks - great service !

Tinahely

altor · 28-02-2012 12:24am

Tinahely wrote: »

Fred & Altor

Many thanks - great service !

Tinahely

Your welcome, any problems sourcing let us know

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 8:58am

altor wrote: »

If you cant get a Astec Bell box then adding a S22 to a global bell will allow you add a bell box to this system.

These are even harder to source.

altor · 28-02-2012 11:28am

KoolKid wrote: »

These are even harder to source.

Have 8 in stock myself, hopefully the new chip for the S22 will work, otherwise it will be an end to external bells on the Astec system.

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 11:37am

I don't believe that new chip is going top happen. :rolleyes:

altor · 28-02-2012 11:39am

They are giving it a go, hopefully it will work.

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 1:10pm

Going on previous form I don't believe HKC would be too concerned with the needs of customers with Astec systems.

altor · 28-02-2012 5:59pm

This is something they are trying to fix. Replacing a 14 year old chip that can't be got with a new chip means designing a new board to make it work. They can hardly be blamed if the chip can not be got.

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 6:22pm

But yet a little operation like Astec were able to manage it.

:rolleyes:.
Ill be very surprised if this unit returns.

altor · 28-02-2012 7:16pm

That's with an older chip. HKC are working on the newer chip. Only time will tell if they can get it to work.

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 7:50pm

Keep the faith eh!?

altor · 28-02-2012 8:53pm

I have no reason not too...

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 9:12pm

If you say so.
Theres lots would disagree. HKC got their global sensor. Thats all they seem to be interested in.

altor · 28-02-2012 9:13pm

All we can do is wait and see.

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 9:14pm

Don't wait too long.:D:D

altor · 28-02-2012 9:17pm

Will find out soon enough if it is going to work

Lucky enough I still have some in stock

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 9:19pm

Got a few myself.
As they say in B & Q . When the're gone the're gone.;)

altor · 28-02-2012 9:21pm

They will be gone if the chip does not work. Hopefully will have a bit more info soon enough..

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 9:25pm

IMO we are being nursed into it rather than just a blunt they are gone.
I will be presently surprised & shocked if I'm wrong.
They havn't worried about any other Astec product , why should this be any different?
I often wondered when exactly the story changed from tsunamis & eartquakes to the chip not being made.

altor · 28-02-2012 9:32pm

The chip has being the issue since day one.

The company that made it for Astec have stopped making it, Paul told me that himself. Now HKC have to develop a new board to work with a new chip. You are right, they dont have too, but at lease they are giving it a go. They are not just saying, ah hear, we will tell everyone we are trying to develop the new board to let us down easily. That is just nonsense. I am sure with all the Astec systems installed out there they will easily recoup any money invested and more.

KoolKid · 28-02-2012 10:45pm

I got the tsunami and earthquake story first.
Anyway we could go on second guessing each other all night.
There is no interest in the Astec systems in my opinion.
The answer I always get is replace it with HKC.
If there was interest in looking after Astec customers then the Fusion was the ideal panel to facilitate everyone with a phased transition .

Anyway time will tell. I really hope I am proved wrong, it would give me a chance to get up lots more lovely Delta bells. ..

altor · 28-02-2012 10:59pm

It is not about proving anyone right or wrong. The chip is not available.
If it was we would not be having this conversation.

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 8:24am

Its about what you believe. We all know how strong your faith is when it comes to HKC.
My belief is a company the size of HKC should have no problem developing something if it were needed. If it were an Astec problem Frank, Tony and Mark would have had it sorted. Do you really believe because of one chip there is no other way to interface a global SAB onto an astec system.? Any good R & D Dept would be up to this task. I believe HKC would be well capable of this if the device was really wanted.

altor · 29-02-2012 10:51am

My belief is Astec knew there where a few issues, hence the newer Fusion panel that could take a global sabb or the older two wire external bell.
My belief is that HKC are making every effort to develop a new interface card.
If it was just a mater of replacing the chip with a newer one again we would not be having this conversation but in reality with the newer chip the board needs to be redeveloped and that is what they are doing.

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 11:02am

One question.Its a yes our no.
Do you believe HKC had the ability to create a new interface if this chip doesn't work?

altor · 29-02-2012 11:10am

This is more a question for HKC than me.

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 2:17pm

Sure how would HKC be able to answer a question about what you believe.
You going to answer this ?

altor · 29-02-2012 5:59pm

I don't know the workings of the interface to know if it can be done with another chip. That is why I would ask you to direct this question to HKC.
My belief as I have said is that HKC are making every effort to develop a new interface card.

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 6:32pm

Why do you never answer the simple questions?
How would HKC be in a better position to answer a question that asks what you believe.
Ill ask again. ....

KoolKid wrote: »

Do you believe HKC had the ability to create a new interface if this chip doesn't work?

altor · 29-02-2012 8:11pm

KoolKid wrote: »

Why do you never answer the simple questions?
How would HKC be in a better position to answer a question that asks what you believe.
Ill ask again. ....

I have answered the question:

altor wrote: »

I don't know the workings of the interface to know if it can be done with another chip.

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 9:25pm

I didn't ask anything technical about the workings of it. I am asking (for the 3rd time)

Do you believe HKC has the ability to create a new interface if this chip doesn't work?

Its a simple yes or no. I am baffled as to why you can't answer this.

My answer is I believe they have the ability, but I also believe they won't .

For example if you were to ask me do you believe NASA can build a new rocket? Why would I need a degree in rocket science to say yes I believe they can or no I don't believe they can.
I'm not asking you if they can or not ,I'm asking what you think?

altor · 29-02-2012 9:32pm

KoolKid wrote: »

I'm not asking you if they can or not ,I'm asking what you think?

And I am telling you for the 3rd time I dont know if they can. I dont work for them.

Now if you where to as me are HKC actively seeking a working solution for the S22 then I can tell you they are. Will it work? I dont know.

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 9:39pm

I don't know either, but I know what I believe. Don't you??

altor · 29-02-2012 9:42pm

Believing and reality are two different things

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 9:54pm

Still not answering then? Why are you afraid to simply state what you believe?
Some things never chage..;)

altor · 29-02-2012 10:16pm

Me believing does not mean it will work.

altor wrote: »

My belief is that HKC are making every effort to develop a new interface card.

Your whole argument is can HKC make the S22 or will they just say they cant.

I am telling you HKC are actively seeking a working solution for the S22.
If you dont want to believe this is reality then that is up to you.

If this works then they will become available again.
If it does not work then we may all say good bye to the S22.

So will it work?

altor wrote: »

I dont know.

So will it work?

KoolKid wrote: »

I don't know either

Only time will tell

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 10:33pm

altor wrote: »

Me believing does not mean it will work.

Anything but answer the question, ehh?.
I'm not asking will it work I,m asking (still)

Do you believe HKC has the ability to create a new interface if this chip doesn't work?

The question is either yes or no.
You either believe they can or you don't believe they can. Still baffled as to why your afraid to give your opinion on HKCs abilities. I would have though this would be an instant yes given your confidence in HKC.
Are you losing your faith??

altor · 29-02-2012 10:47pm

KoolKid wrote: »

You either believe they can or you don't believe they can.

I dont know to be honest, but as soon as I find out if it can be done I will post it for you. As I have said HKC are actively seeking a working solution for the S22.

KoolKid wrote: »

I would have though this would be an instant yes given your confidence in HKC.
Are you losing your faith??

Never, looking at the next generation of control panel I would never loose the faith. They have a very good crew in there and HKC themselves are going high places. Sure they make all there own devices for the control panels they design and manufacture. Cant say that for many company's out there :rolleyes:

I have asked about the S22 and have being told they have to develop a new board to work with a new chip. They are working on it and have not given any promises it will work. They have not said, look we are just saying it is a work in progress to let everyone down easily. They are working on it, believe it or not.

If this works then they will become available again.
If it does not work then we may all say good bye to the S22.

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 10:57pm

altor wrote: »

Never, looking at the next generation of control panel I would never loose the faith. .

But yet you can't say you believe they have the ability to create an interface for an Astec sysyem to talk to a global bell?:eek:
I have to say I'm surprised.

I would say HKC are well capable of this.
It was, after all, designed by a company with a hell of a lot less resources at ther disposal.
Now , I know your going to say that chip is no longer required ......etc etc etc..
But there is over 15 years of advances in technology since then. Its really not saying much for your confidence in HKC if you don't know whether they are capable of devoloping something like this.
After all they are capable of designing some very good alarm systems.

altor · 29-02-2012 11:17pm

Trying to design something to work on an old system that they did not design is a work in progress, which they are trying to come up with a solution for.

If they cant then that will not reflect on the quality of the systems they design and manufacturer under the HKC LTD brand.

As you say, they are trying to design something to work on older technology, new board, new chip, and a new system to them that they know nothing about.

Instead of giving them time to see if they can do this, you just want to stick your belief in. Many people read these threads and from what your saying they are just letting everyone down easily. That is bull, they are working on a solution to get the S22 working again. They cant be blamed if the chip that was used in this old device to make a global sabb work with again the old Astec systems has become obsolete. All they can do is try develop a board to work with a newer chip which they are doing.

Again, if this works then they will become available.
If it does not work then we may all say good bye to the S22.

KoolKid · 29-02-2012 11:47pm

And you still can't say you believe they are capable of it or not?
On the contary I am complimanting HKC in saying I believe they are capable of designing an interface.
Me sticking my belief in (as you put it) in me posting my opinion. Thats allowed. Even if your afraid to post yours (Why I don't know)
Me saying they are letting us down gently is ,again,my belief .(again my opinion)

Anyway regarding the question you can't answer ...

Its my belief HKC would be well able to develop such a device. Any compay with their resources should be able to. I rekon you could bring it to China & find plenty of company's to make a working version no problem.
Why you doubt this confuses me, considering how much faith you have in HKC.
So if they can , why would they not?
If they can't , in my opinion,its a poor reflection on the ability of such major player in the security industry here.

altor · 29-02-2012 11:58pm

If they can they will, they are working on it.
If they cant it wont be through lack of trying to come up with a solution.

Either way it wont reflect badly on them as a major player in the security industry here.

KoolKid · 01-03-2012 12:05am

You don't think its a bad reflection on a compay the size of HKC if they can't develop a product to work on a system they now own?
Do you not feel you are contradicting yourself here? You are on one hand saying how great they are & on the other you have doubts on their ability to create a replacement device for a basic enough purpose.
How about a relay card? could they produce one of them for an Astec System?

altor · 01-03-2012 12:17am

They own

The Astec systems are no more. They are working on a solution to try get a device to work with an old system. It wont happen at a flick of a switch.

If they can they will, if they cant it wont be from lack of trying.

No I don't, it has not being proven they can or cant get a working solution for a replacement S22.

No one knows if it will work at this present time.

KoolKid · 01-03-2012 12:19am

Still dodging the questions?

How about a relay card? could they produce one of them for an Astec System?

altor · 01-03-2012 12:23am

I don't know the workings of the relay card to know if it can be done.
I would ask you to direct this question to HKC.

KoolKid · 01-03-2012 12:28am

So do you think they would be able to produce a relay card?
Considering they have a working model already?
Or is there no components available to make one of those?

altor · 01-03-2012 12:44am

KoolKid wrote: »

So do you think they would be able to produce a relay card?
Considering they have a working model already?
Or is there no components available to make one of those?

I dont know what they can manufacture in relation to Astec products.

Do you?

ASTEC 63DV - Outdoor Alarm Box

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