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

["Joe H" <Joe@xxxxxxxx>]

Thanks a lot Tourman for your help and advice. You say that virtually no
installer or alarmco leaves the installer code at default. I guess this is a
good security feature, but is it common practice that the installer or the
alarmco would keep a record of a different installer code that they used
when my system was first installed? If so, they might, perhaps, give this
code to the owner of the alarm system?

To do a power down reset, the instructions say you should verify the
installer lock is disabled. I'm not sure how you would do this. Oh well, one
rainy day when I have finished all my other urgent jobs, I can look forward
to doing a power down reset and a total reprogramming of the panel, it looks
like it would be more interesting than mowing the lawns!

Regards, Joe


"tourman" <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1168992103.652634.46270@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 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