Re: Problem With ADT System - Need Advice

[Frank Olson <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

aworkinprogress2112@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Happy Holidays all!
>
> Thanks to Crash Gordon, Tourman and Frank Olson for your assistance.
> I've been checking your responses from time to time over the past few
> days and now that the big holiday is behind me I'm going to put some
> time into trying to get this resolved.
>
> Here's the deal: The motions are Bosch DS835i Microwave Intrusion
> Detector with Pet Immunity.  In the room I've had two false alarms from
> the closest thing to the motion is a couch.  The back of the couch is
> just 4 1/2 feet from the motion and at the height of the couch, about 3
> feet from the floor.  In the room I have had one false alarm from the
> closest thing to the motionis again a couch.  This time the back of the
> couch is 6 feet from the motion and again 3 feet from the floor.

The units are hard wired.  ADT will have access to the Paradox line
through several distribution outlets in the US.  Call your account rep
and tell them you want Paradox DG75's installed at the manufacturer's
recommended height.  I can't honestly believe a company like ADT still
think "pet alleys" are the way to go (mounting a motion sensor three
feet off the floor).  Your false alarms will disappear.


>
> I guess my questions at this point are:
>
> 1) Are these distances of 4 1/2 feet and 6 feet too close to warrant
> trying a less sensitive motion such as those mentioned by Tourman or by
> Frank Olson?

No.  The Paradox DG75 will work.  They may have to mask the lens to
prevent it from seeing the couch(es) (or move the sensor to another
location to increase the distance to the couch).


>
> 2) Does this system have the "double trip feature" Tourman recommended
> or the "cross-zoning" Crash Gordon mentioned?  My Google research tells
> me this Safewatch Pro 3000 is really an Ademco Vista 20P in disguise.
> The double-trip idea sounds like it might reduce false alarms and may
> be effective when the house is empty but that it might run the risk of
> missing someone coming in during the night and heading straight up to
> my bedroom having only tripped the motion once.  I like the idea of the
> cross-zoning and would be willing to pay to have two additional motions
> installed, one to work with each of the two 1st floor motions.

If you can, avoid going the cross-zoning route.  In my book, it's the
same as installing a motion sensor upside down and three feet from the
floor.  What if the perp "stops" long enough for the counter to reset
between trips?


>
> When I say willing to pay I don't want to sound like someone looking to
> get something for nothing.  I specifically brought up my concerns about
> the two cats at the time of installation and the furniture is in the
> exact same place it was when the system was installed.  I was assured
> that the placement and the type of motion detector would prevent false
> alarms so I tend to think they are partly to blame for the situation.
> I have no complaints about ADT yet, other than the current situation,
> they have been very accomodating.  I guess their resolving - or not
> resolving this problem will be the true test.

The Bosch sensors aren't "pet immune".  They're "pet friendly".  Two
entirely different philosophies.