On my X-10 system, I had a “Universal Interface” that could receive an X10 command and ‘chime’ with a somewhat cloying “beep” sound.
I used this as a general system indication that something in the HA system should be checked (door open for too long, something unlocked during alarm arming, etc).
Is there any similar product available for Z-Wave? Like a doorbell, or even a dry-contact relay output?
Not a 120dB alarm/siren, but something that could ding or beep on command from Vera.
(I’d rather not use the X10 device itself, but something along those lines for Z-Wave)
The Fibaro relay modules have isolated contacts, independent of the power supply for the module itself. So you could use these for almost anything. They even an a built-in “switch off after XXX seconds” functionality.
Always supposing, of course, that these are available for your region.
It sounds like you are looking for some form of audible notification system.
As well as the Fibaro suggestion from @akbooer, I’m trying to think what i use…
i’m using email or Prowl as a way to alert me via a beep on my phone. Plus as I have Sonos, I could also look to set that up to play a sound when things occur (the benefit of that is that I can set different sounds for different events)
In fact some posts on this forum have talked about sending messages from Vera to media players on PCs. So it kind of depends on how you want the sound to be delivered.
Why not install the Vera Alerts plugin, and find an old Android device (or use the phone you carry) and install the associated app? Then you get voice TTS announcements of your choosing. And if you use the IVONA Amy voice, they are kinda sexy announcements.
I hooked an old phone into a whole house speaker system, and it works great for things like this.
[quote=“GroundLoop, post:5, topic:173651”]signal15, that’s probably the most overkill and yet totally practical idea.
I have an old Droid Incredible2 I will hook into Vera Alerts, and will set one of the levels to be heard. Still far cheaper than Sonos. :)[/quote]
Vera Alerts is awesome. You’ll probably find yourself putting in all sorts of crap. When I disarm my alarm system in the morning, I have it speak the current weather conditions, temp, and hi/lo for the day. I have it remind me via voice to take my garbage out on garbage night, and I have it tell the kids to put their pajamas on when it’s time to get ready to bed. And, if the kids open their bedroom door at night, it tells them it’s not time to get up yet and to go back to bed.
I too would like a low volume siren for intruders and so that my wife is forced to use the system more reliably, thus Alerts to my cell are not crying wolf. Does anyone know of anything new in the past 2 years vs using Sonos (unwanted sound system for me) or Vera Alerts (lags a lot over the year I have used it more than just a minute or two at times, and is not reliable bc of the server, google’s, and or cell phone/tablet issues, sometimes.
The only other think I can think of is breaking open a strobe or siren and disassembling the primary output (light or siren) device, then soldering on resisters and a pezo alarm or something similar.
You can get a truck backup alarm for about $9, such as this one from Amazon.
Wolo Model BA-52 Beep Beep Back-Up Alarm - 12 Volt
Wire it up to a 12 volt wall wart power supply, plug that into a zwave A.C. Outlet and voila!
Note to previous commenter: Using a beeping device to “force my wife” to use your system suggests you’ll be frequenting the marriage counseling forums instead of the home automation forums pretty soon
Along the same thought process…with a twist though…
Any one figured out a cheap way to have the zwave alarm to play a repeating message if it is tripped? “Intruder, please leave the driveway…house door knobs and vehicles are charging!”
Something custom in a voice that the neighborhood thug will recognize.
Or more psychological