diy alarm
- Thread starter thewheel
- Start date
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A Rottweiller !!!! ? 
B
breezer
the thing with diy alarms is there is so much choice it is hard to say which you should have.
But i will give you a few things to guide you.
Each detector should have its own circuit / indication at the panel (makes life easier if it goes off)
It should be "comfortable" to look at
You do not want one with loads of multifunction buttons (for example, hold button x down while pressing buttons y & z and depress the small red button marked K) Does any one remember one of the "first" computers zx81? (one button had 8 functions)
Although you probably will not be allowed to open it in the shop, see do you feel does it look too complicated.
Most alarms now have a separate keypad which you install away from the panel, get one that has big buttons, yes it may not look nice, but at least you will be able to see what each button does and get the right ones when turning it off.
make sure it is expandable, or if it has say 8 zones try not to use all of them at first, you may later have a building extension.
No matter what they say in the shop, there is no such thing as a "pet detector" (one that will not see pets moving)
do not put detectors and pets in the same room (caged or tanked pets are ok)
one last thing,
you get what you pay for, quality costs
But i will give you a few things to guide you.
Each detector should have its own circuit / indication at the panel (makes life easier if it goes off)
It should be "comfortable" to look at
You do not want one with loads of multifunction buttons (for example, hold button x down while pressing buttons y & z and depress the small red button marked K) Does any one remember one of the "first" computers zx81? (one button had 8 functions)
Although you probably will not be allowed to open it in the shop, see do you feel does it look too complicated.
Most alarms now have a separate keypad which you install away from the panel, get one that has big buttons, yes it may not look nice, but at least you will be able to see what each button does and get the right ones when turning it off.
make sure it is expandable, or if it has say 8 zones try not to use all of them at first, you may later have a building extension.
No matter what they say in the shop, there is no such thing as a "pet detector" (one that will not see pets moving)
do not put detectors and pets in the same room (caged or tanked pets are ok)
one last thing,
you get what you pay for, quality costs
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2 of my friends have fitted the DIY alarm themselves and seems to have problem with them and when my next door neighbour go on holiday,I normally turn the alarm off in the middle of night.Could it be cheap quality or as Breezer's said you get what you pay for.I had mine fitted by Alarm specialist which is recommend by police as they are so many out there without certificates.Had mine for 17 years and never has any problem with it yet as I have a yearly service.Mine have smoke alarm connected to the alarm system and a virbration sensor on all windows + doors which are adjustable, this is so we can walk around in the house when the alarm is on specially with 4 cats ! You can't even see any wires and I was amazed how they did it specially with the 5 foot masonary drill bit inside the internal walls!! I have a keypad number type with a auto light on number when dark etc and even tell you which windows my burglar is trying to get in ! One of the reason for this type of alarm is, I do shiftwork and knowing my family is safe inside the house when the alarm is on.The beauty of this if a burglar bang my window the alarm will go off while the burglar still outside where the internal heat sensor type will only trigger the alarm when the burglar is inside your property and could threaten you to turn off the alarm so no one would know.Alarm specialist use the latest technology and updating all the times as with the DIY alarm system they tend to keep it simple otherwise the average people couldn't install it,this is only my own opinion.
B
breezer
I should have also mentioned that when installing a diy alarm, never rush it, think where are you going to put the cables before you even open the box.
Never think "this will be ok" as it is your neighbours that will suffer take your time, do not put cables under the middle of a carpet, put them on the edge, on the INSIDE of the carpet gripper (cut the underlay if you have to)
Use cable clips, not staples as staple guns (if you have one) take getting used to, and one slight slip and you puncture the cable (i have seen it done)
Also make sure all connections are tight (pull each wire after you have connected it, if it comes out in your hand it is not tight) it may look ok , but tug it to make sure.
Alarms do not like bad (high resistance) connections, if you have to join a wire do not just twist it, put it in a junction box (for alarms not the mains type) or connector block or better still solder and insulate it
Put detectors in the corner of a room, not in the middle of a wall, and also put them on the "outside wall" looking in, that way they are not looking at the windows, as some "cheap" detectors will see the glass heat up (due to sunlight) and go off.
A good litlle "trick" if you are going on holiday get a "solid type fly killer" (v*p*na is good) break it open cut it into small squares and stick a bit UNDER each detector. this stops flies and spiders going near the detector and setting it off
(masona, its worth telling your friends this)
Never think "this will be ok" as it is your neighbours that will suffer take your time, do not put cables under the middle of a carpet, put them on the edge, on the INSIDE of the carpet gripper (cut the underlay if you have to)
Use cable clips, not staples as staple guns (if you have one) take getting used to, and one slight slip and you puncture the cable (i have seen it done)
Also make sure all connections are tight (pull each wire after you have connected it, if it comes out in your hand it is not tight) it may look ok , but tug it to make sure.
Alarms do not like bad (high resistance) connections, if you have to join a wire do not just twist it, put it in a junction box (for alarms not the mains type) or connector block or better still solder and insulate it
Put detectors in the corner of a room, not in the middle of a wall, and also put them on the "outside wall" looking in, that way they are not looking at the windows, as some "cheap" detectors will see the glass heat up (due to sunlight) and go off.
A good litlle "trick" if you are going on holiday get a "solid type fly killer" (v*p*na is good) break it open cut it into small squares and stick a bit UNDER each detector. this stops flies and spiders going near the detector and setting it off
(masona, its worth telling your friends this)
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