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

["tourman" <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

Yes, rarely is the panel left with the default installers code in
place. It is common practice to change the installer code to prevent
anyone messing around with programming that could affect it's ability
to call the monitoring station.

What the instructions say is wrong. There is no way to confirm that the
installer lock is set or not set (like you can with say DSC panels).
Just default and absolutely nothing will happen if its locked, or the
whole panel will go back to factory if its not locked. Leave the jumper
on for 30 secs, not the 10 seconds the instructions say.

Manufacturers make these products primarily for the security industry,
not for DIY'ers. Most security conscious consumers realize the
equipment on site is only part of a professional system, and is largely
ineffective without monitoring services. As well, most consumers prefer
to leave security to their chosen supplier to deal with so they can get
on with things in life they consider more important. Also, no one wants
untrained people dealing with settings which if done incorrectly can
cost the authorities in wasted resources through false alarms.
So....the manufacturers deal with security companies and leave us to
deal with the end user.

Good luck with your endeavours

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
www.homemetal.com
(Shivering in Florida....:))


Joe H wrote:
> 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