Range extender for texecom richochet?

[steve_r29]

I'm sure I'm just not searching for the right thing, but I'm struggling to find information on this online.

Is it possible to extend the range of the mesh using a wired extension from the main unit?

Context is:
I have a Texecom Ricochet Premier Elite 64W with the system split into two Area's. One serving the main house and one serving an outbuilding. The outbuilding PIRs work ok most of the time, but the wireless keypad in particular is extremely sluggish. For example it will take around 3 minutes to register a pin to deactivate an alarm. I assume this is a mixture of the multiple external walls plus I suspect interference (I read somewhere heatmiser thermostats can interfere).

I'm willing to run cable to the outbuilding, but I do want to keep it on the same main panel as it's own area. Can you run an expander or something wired from the main unit to extend the range? Or any other way of doing it?

Thanks for your help

 

[sparkymarka]

Run a cable

 

[steve_r29]

Run a cable

So a 8XP Remote Zone Expander will work with the Premier Elite 64W? Everything I see online refers to using them to add wireless to a non-wireless main unit

 

[sparkymarka]

Run cable and hardwire it ….or run cable add hardwired keypad plus what ever you want eg extra hardwired or wireless expander

 

[secureiam]

to extend wireless signal via the mesh, the device must be learned on to that wireless expander.

to increase wireless coverage, you can add more wireless devices to a wireless expander or create a secondary mesh on a new wireless expander (wired back to the main panel).

If you have lots of things already wired to your network then you may need an additional power source.

without seeing your mesh and a plan of the property and device location can only talk in generalities, also signal strengths required to asses what is going on.

There is a fair chance the wireless keypad is very slow as its communicating via other devices.

 

[steve_r29]

Thanks for your detailed reply. I don't have anything hardwired at the moment so should be fine in that respect.

The majority of the PIRs/etc. are connecting directly to the main unit, with the exception of the furthest PIR in the outbuilding which is going through another PIR, and a couple of door sensors in the house. So nothing is meshing through the problematic keypad. I'm probably being blind but I can't see the signal strength of the keypad in ricochet monitor or wintex.

In terms of the property, the keypad in the outbuilding is approx 23 meters away from the main unit, through 2 external brick walls and a few internal ones.

I think it's fine if the outbuilding devices have to learn to the expander, so unless you'd suggest otherwise I think I'll go with that approach. Just one question - I assume having them on a different mesh doesn't impact anything in terms of events (i.e low battery) being sent to the panel? (I use the Home Assistant smart home integration to read these events off the panel)

Thanks again

 

[secureiam]

engineer utilities, ricochet diagnostics via keypad.
Texecom do have videos on you tube explaining this.

each wireless expander has its own mesh.

So the 64W has a built in 32 XP-W
You can add one more 32XP-W or 4 8XP-W

3 minutes for the lcdp-W to respond if the signal is good could be jamming issue.

Seen it where certain sensors and wireless keypads don’t function easily due to radio jamming mainly by modem street lamps being faulty.

Worst case they don’t work at all, and then various degrees upto relative normality.

Changing batteries can sometimes improve signal, but won’t do much if there is some jamming.

 

[secureiam]

A few run power to a wireless bell box as these are designed for the outside, or add outside wireless detectors.

Did you ever place the panel in commissioning mode for the built in wireless expander?

Seeing the ricochet monitor signal security you get in ricochet monitor gives a good idea of what’s going on .

 

[steve_r29]

Thanks that's super helpful. I don't see any jamming reports in the event log but it does feel like interference (I've seen another post referencing the similar bands being used). The unit was in commissioning mode when it was first installed.

The signal strength of the problematic keypad is 27, connected directly to the main unit. The furthermost PIR is going through another PIR at a strength of 30.

I will do as suggested and run a couple lengths of screened 8 core to the building, then either add the 8XP-W or just hard wire the keypad (there is some old wiring through the wall to behind the keypad anyway).

Thanks again

 

[secureiam]

At 27 signal strength is at the border of functionality.

30 is the minimum recommended and 40 is probably comfortable to allow for variations in conditions (radio jamming could stop something at 100 from working).

So you need something.

When I do the commissioning mode, everything in place, put jumper across, I look at ricochet monitor, when it’s at 100% completed, I re run the commissioning mode.
Should be redone if devices are moved or replaced.

You do sometimes see an improvement.

I look at anything that isn’t green in more detail and if it can be improved by device placement. also look at signal strength. If it’s 40 or above it isn’t worth worrying too much about. at 30 it needs to be looked at.

If moving things isn’t practical then it’s a case wires being run for a wireless expander.
If you have a wire, then a hard wired keypad is worth considering and selling off the wireless one if you don’t need it.

Always hard wired first wireless second.