Re: RCR- Pet Motion Detector Problems

[Frank Olson <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Andrew & Adair Wood wrote:
> I hope someone here will be kind enough to assist with my problem.  I am
> not a professional installer, but a FAIRLY knowledgeable end-user.  In
> the living room of my home, I have a G.E. "RCR-Pet" motion detector.
> This is the second unit of this type my installer and I have tried.  The
> first such sensor was installed over a year ago when another technology
> (floor-joist load-cells) proved unsuitable.  The load-cells themselves
> were a replacement for another brand of motion detector which proved
> unsuitable.
>
> The sensor is mounted SLIGHTLY above the maximum recommended height -
> the top of the sensor is at 8ft. 1in. above the floor.  It is mounted on
> an "over-hang" prohibiting lowering it, if the 1-inch overage was
> actually significant.  There is a 10lb cat as well as 2 dogs in the
> room.  The dogs are large (Rhodesian Ridgeback and a Saint
> Bernard/Collie cross) BUT they are crated when the system is armed.  The
> Saint Collie's crate is BEHIND the sensor, under the over-hang, outside
> of the coverage pattern.  The ridgeback's crate is outside of the
> sensor's set range and was, until recently, outside of the coverage
> pattern.  She is also smaller than the 80lb immunity claimed for the unit.
>
> When the first sensor was first installed, it was mounted flush to the
> wall of the over-hang.  It was set to detect only within 9 feet.  I
> noticed a problem: it did not "catch" well for people passing through
> the most likely path of an intruder in the room.  We installed a
> "swivel-bracket" and angled the unit approx. 45 degrees toward the
> ridgeback's crate, which is approximately 12 feet from the unit.  During
> walk-testing, catch was improved noticeably.
>
> A few days ago, the sensor falsed.  Afterward, I noticed it was
> detecting BEYOND the set 9 foot range.  Suspecting the unit was
> defective, my installer and I replaced it.  The new unit is also
> detecting beyond the 9 foot range, as well as detecting BEHIND the unit
> (despite the fact that G.E. advertises no "back-lobe").  The unit is
> still on the "swivel-bracket", but is now oriented straight ahead as the
> first one was.  I have an "RCR-A" in the master-bedroom (no animals in
> there when system is armed) and it's range-detection is flawless.
>
> Have we gotten 2 lemons, or is this model junk?  Thanks in advance for
> any help.
>
> Andrew Wood


For your application, I'd suggest the Paradox DG75.
(http://www.paradox.ca/Products/CAT_MOTIONDETECTORS/Default.asp?SUBCATID=50100)
  I usually stay away from the microwave stuff in a home environment.