Re: Low-cost burglar alarm system needed

[Chris <chriswheeldon@xxxxxxxxx>]

Tom,

By the sounds of it, you could probably get away with one motion detector (=
they generally have a range of 40') to cover the main area.

A door contact may be wise, but probably unnecessary in this case as the mo=
tion could be programmed as an entry/exit zone.

If I were you, I would look at calling the local alarm companies in your ar=
ea (not the national types) and see if they have something they could sell =
you.  I know in my office there are a few old control panels that I keep ar=
ound for power supplies, old keypads for extra parts, random motion detecto=
rs that aren't in inventory, etc.

A local shop may be able to put a system together for you, pre-program it i=
n their office, sell you the control panel, backup battery, power supply, 3=
0 watt siren (anything less is likely useless for your non-monitored situat=
ion), keypad, and a motion detector.  Then show you how to wire what where =
(some sort of labels would be nice) and let you install it yourself.  As th=
e only parts in inventory (unless they count absolutely everything) would b=
e the power supply, battery, siren, and maybe motion detector, it shouldn't=
 cost much.  They may even be able to throw in a scrap box of wire, the typ=
e that doesn't have enough in it anymore to be worth packing around to jobs=
.

For me, especially if I had some sort of assurance that you'd be back spend=
ing more money with me later on, I would probably only charge $100 or so fo=
r everything, maybe $200 at the most.  It would be an old system, the keypa=
d probably wouldn't look that great (yellowed, old zone lists, etc.), you w=
ouldn't have any sort of warranty, but it would do it's job.  Plus I would =
still trust that system more than any sort of system from a hardware store.

- Chris



On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 4:06:18 PM UTC-8, TomR wrote:
> JoeRaisin wrote:
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> > On 12/3/2012 4:25 PM, TomR wrote:
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> >> I am looking for a low-cost burglar alarm system -- one that will
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> >> primarily just protect one large room (a basement with outdoor door
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> >> and window access); and probably one that will just go off as a
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> >> deterrent and will not dial out to police etc.  This is for a vacant
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> >> property that I own (that is essentially a vacant "shell") with no
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> >> phone line, no Internet access, etc. And, I don't want to pay for a
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> >> monthly monitoring fee. Here are two examples of systems that I have b=
een=20
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> >> researching so far:
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> >> http://swann.com/s/products/view/?product=3D1089
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> >> http://www.homesecuritystore.com/c-73-wireless-alarm-systems.aspx
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> >>
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> >> The Swann system can't be set up with an entry delay -- which is a
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> >> huge drawback for me -- otherwise I probably would have just gotten
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> >> that system and installed it.  The only way that I could enter the
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> >> building without the alarm going off with that system is with a
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> >> wireless key fob, but that won't work for me.  The reason is that I
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> >> need to be able to have several different people be able to enter
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> >> and disable the alarm by entering the passcode.  I can't give
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> >> everyone a key fob, and I don't want to have to rely on them having
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> >> a key fob with them when they go in. The second link is just a website=
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> >> with various systems for a little
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> >> more money, including some that say they are Honeywell/Ademco
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> >> systems. I think all that I really need is a wireless system, powered =
by=20
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> >> the
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> >> house electric system, with a battery backup, and mostly just motion
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> >> sensors -- but definitely with a programmable entry delay and exit
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> >> delay. Any suggestions on where I could find these at a retail locatio=
n
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> >> without having to order online?  I would rather be able to go to a
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> >> retail location and see what I would be getting before buying it if
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> >> possible. I do read all replies and I will respond back with more info=
 if
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> >> needed etc. Thanks.
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> > You can find what you are looking for at Radio Shack, Home Depot and
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> > probably other DIY stores as well.
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> Thanks.  I found that most of the DIY systems are sold online only by pla=
ces=20
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> like Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, etc.  Even most Radio Shacks near me didn'=
t=20
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> have them in the store. but one or two of the larger Radio Shack stores i=
n=20
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> my area do carry them in stock.  The Swann system I mentioned was in stoc=
k,=20
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> but it has the no-entry-delay problem.
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> >
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> > Judging by your level of commitment to this project, I would recommend
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> > against a wireless system.  If the basement is unfinished, a wired
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> > system won't be difficult to install and doesn't require nearly as
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> > much attention later on.
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> >
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> > Protect the space with motions, but you may want at least one door
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> > contact for the entry delay.
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> I only need a system temporarily -- maybe up to a year max -- since the=
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> property will be occupied after it is rehabbed.  I am not opposed to a wi=
red=20
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> system, but many of the low-cost ones say the are wireless and promote th=
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> fact that they don't require wiring.  I haven't seen any low-cost wired=
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> systems yet.
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> >
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> > Since the system isn't monitored, the entry delay can be considered a
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> > moot point.  You open the door, the alarm activates, you turn it off.
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> > No one is coming in any case...
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> Actually, that wouldn't work in my situation.  I own two properties that=
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> back up to the vacant property in question and that have tenants in them;=
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> and the vacant property is attached to an occupied property with neighbor=
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> who know me.  The theft may have even taken place during the daytime when=
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> people in nearby properties were home (according to the police who=20
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> investigated), or it could have happened at night.  But, in either case, =
the=20
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> point of the alarm system is that: 1) it could scare off the burglars; an=
d,=20
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> 2) it could alert my tenants and neighbors nearby that someone may be=20
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> breaking in.  But, if every time I or someone else goes into the alarmed=
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> building for good reason the alarm goes off, I'll end up with multiple=20
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> "false" alarms -- and eventually the tenants and neighbors will just igno=
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> them like people ignore car alarms.