Re: External Relay Control on GEM-P816

["Jim" <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

On Mar 21, 8:16?am, yeahpro...@xxxxxxx wrote:
.
>
> Thanks Jim. I have confirmed that I have version 10 of the firmware
> which definitely supports the GEM-X10 module, and thus provides
> external relay control. I guess nobody really knows exactly how
> granular the external relay control is on the GEM-P816 provides since
> support for external relay control (or at least GEM-X10 support) is
> relatively new for the GEM-P816 (2004). This is probably because most
> people doing what I'm trying to accomplish are using higher-end alarm
> panels.
>
> In order for me not to have to touch the alarm panel (to avoid dealing
> with the alarm monitoring company), I would ideally like to use the
> GEM-X10 module to translate as many granular events as possible into
> X10 signals (hopefully these events will include at least an open/
> close on each individual zone, system armed/disarmed, alarm sounding,
> fire alert, etc). I'll then be sending a unique X10 signal for each
> event to my Home Controller (PC running X10 compatible software), for
> which I can then create any actions (more X10 commands to actually
> control things) I want. I should also be able to send an email with
> any event received from the GEM-P816. This way, I don't need to touch
> the panel to rewire any of the contacts or reprogram like I would if I
> upgraded the panel. I believe I will be able to configure up to 64
> events to trigger the sending of up to 64 X10 codes (simulating (8) 8-
> port external relay modules).
>
> I will advise once I am able to determine if this is all possible. If
> anyone has any suggestions or comments as of this point, I would
> greatly appreciate it.
>
> Thanks!
> Ken

Well If you're looking at the manual and it says you can, all you have
to do is be able to get the PCD program to make the changes. That
would seem to be the only obstacle at this point. Worst case would be
that  you have to make the changes via the keypad programing. (ech!)

The other concern that I have is that the panel is not going to allow
you all the options for relay control that you are looking for. I just
can't imagine that they would provide this panel with all the same
relay options that the bigger panels have. You might want to read the
instructions in detail or otherwise determine exactly what you're
going to be able to do. If you're only going to be able to detect an
alarm and not have individual zone sensing, for instance, it might not
be worth your time and expense.