Re: Paradox Esprit fails to activate alarm siren in 3 Zones

["tourman" <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

What you experienced is quite normal. Virtually no installer or alarmco
leaves the installer code at default.

With Paradox panels there is no danger in trying the factory default
routine. If the board is "locked" in software, nothing will happen -
nothing, and it will be impossible for you to ever do anything with the
board other than make a coaster out of it. However, KNOW THIS, if it is
not locked, the whole panel will go back to factory and must be totally
reprogrammed.  So before you try the following, keep that in mind.

To default, power down totally. Put the jumper on the "reset" pins,
then power up with AC. In spite of what the instructions say, leave it
on for 30 seconds. Then remove the jumper and if all the zone lights
come on, then you have defaulted. Then enter programming mode with
"enter" plus the default installer code. At this point,your panel has
lost virtually all it's custom programming, and will need a lot of
additional software reprogramming. You will also need to reset the
clock to clear the trouble 8.

Why the manufacturers don't make this stuff widely available, is
because these panels are not geared toward the DIY'er. When you work
with these panels for a few years, you quickly realize that there are
all sorts of tricks that are not in the book so to speak, and only are
discovered when you work with a line of panels for awhile. And with the
seriousness of false alarms and the waste of time for the authorities
when that happens, self programming by end users is not highly
regarded. This is not to say they can't; its just that most consumers
dont have the time or inclination to fool with their security system.
And most realize that unless it is monitored properly, it is pretty
much ineffective anyway. And since alarmco's make money from
monitoring, they look after everything for the consumer, including
programming (in the same way that an insurance agent makes a commission
from selling insurance) Security services are just that, and the
equipment is only a part of the whole package.But then, on the consumer
side, it's up to them how they want to handle things....

Good luck !!

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
www.homemetal.com
Seaside Gardens, Florida


Joe H wrote:
> "tourman" <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1168956570.710425.304890@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Joe, the problem is, in order to get in to low level programming mode,
> > you WILL need to know the installer code in place in the panel. This is
> > usually 727272 or 282828 (or 4 digit versions of the above). If these
> > don't work, your only option is to default the panel (simple to do, but
> > see the programming sheets). Hopefully the code will not be locked and
> > the board will default to factory. Then you must reprogram the whole
> > panel.
> >
> > If you want to play and learn, I guarantee that will give you lots of
> > opportunity.And since it's not monitored, nothing is lost if you mess
> > up, except your panel may end up not working quite the way you want.
> >
> > If you have specific problems with it, send an email through and I'll
> > try to do what I can to answer your questions (albeit I'm on an
> > extended vacation and my brain has gone to sleep (more than
> > normal).....)...panel?...what's a panel...don't need no steenkin
> > panel.....:))))
> >
> > R.H.Campbell
> > Home Security Metal Products
> > www.homemetal.com
> > (Temporarily relocated to Florida)
>
>
> Thanks very much Tourman for this information. With our system, after you
> press "ENTER" you are able to enter only 4 digits before it does a longer
> beep. I tried entering 2828 but the ENTER key did not flash to indicate that
> the keyboard is in programming mode. On page 2 of the manual, it says that
> when using the hex programming method, you press ENTER plus the installer
> code after which the ENTER key will flash indicating you are in programming
> mode.
>
> The same happened when I tried 7272, that is, the ENTER key did not flash,
> neither did any other keys. I also tried the full 282828 and also 727272,
> but nothing happened doing this either. Other combinations such as 8282 and
> 2727 didn't work either.
>
> The instructions do show how to do a power down reset, but as a matter of
> interest, why doesn't one of the default installer codes get the panel into
> programming mode, is this a security feature to deter owners with
> insufficient knowledge?
>
> Regards, Joe