Hey guys, I’ve been spending a lot of time on these forums recently and you guys and the information that you give is pretty awesome. I’m a total n00b at this and I really appreciate this community.
I am VERY CLOSE to getting a Vera Lite. I’m just a little confused about integrating it into my existing alarm system. I have a DSC Powerseries PC1616, which means I need either an IT-100 or Envisalink IP170/2DS module installed in my DSC. There are some great youtube videos about how to actually physically install these modules, so my question isn’t there. I’m more concerned about how these devices communicate back to the Vera Lite:
The IT-100 uses a serial interface and there is a serial to wifi adapter that looks like it is supported, but I read somewhere in these forums that using wifi introduces a lag and is just overall not a good idea for this implementation. Thoughts? Has anyone tried this and had good results? Otherwise, the Vera lite doesn’t have a serial interface, so how would I get the module and the Vera to talk to each other?
The Envisalink has an rj-45 connector for cat5/6 cables, but my router is ALLLL the way in another room from my alarm panel. I don’t know if its worth it to run a cat5 from my router, thru my walls, and into the closet where the alarm panel is. Again, would an rj-45 to wifi adapter be ok? Or do I run into the same problems as the serial to wifi adapter in option 1?
Another option is to get the Vera 3 and mount it directly above my alarm panel in the closet. Then, I would get the Envisalink and run a short cat5 cable from the Envisalink to the Vera 3. But, the Vera 3 has its own built in networking, right? So, can I set up the Vera 3 as a bridge to my existing network? Can I set it up as a wireless bridge?
Yes, I run Ethernet over Power (pair of Netgear AV500+) with two VeraLites - one on each end. It’s over a long line, so the link quality shows “red” on the Netgear “traffic light” status display ( <50 Mbps), but it works a treat.
I did have to get MCV Support to bridge the systems successfully, but this turned out to be nothing to do with the network link.
AKB
PS: if you’re running utilities to an outbuilding, don’t forget to put in a Cat 6 cable whilst you’ve got the trench there!!!
I would suggest the EVL3, it is the current model and replacement for the 2DS.
Anyway, all three interfaces connect to the panel keybus, the same way a keypad connect and this give you several options. Power line Ethernet as previous identified, Cat5/6 run to the panel etc. However, you can place the interface anywhere where you can connect it to the panel. That is behind a keypad and wire it there as the keypad has a home run. So you do not have to have it at the panel and may be an alternative if a keypad is closer to your router. Or have the interface close to your router and then wire in via a keypad.
New to all this also and I just recently bought, installed and set up to work together both a DSC Power Series panel and the Vera Lite controller and I use the Envisalink 3 Module. It would seen to me that all other methods of integration are obsolete compared to this module. Painless and works great. The only drawback is that it costs a hundred bucks (from homesecuritystore.com), and you need to run an ethernet cable to the security panel. An added bonus is that there is no longer a need to pay for monthly monitoring of your security system either as long as you set up your notifications in a manner you are comfortable with…
I too have a PC1616 and I just bought a EVL3 (will arrive in January). I already have a few Z-wave devices but no Vera. Until I read this post I didn’t know it was possible to interface Vera to the DSC. Can one of you describe how you use/envision using your system?
Once you have the alarm and Vera communicating, it exposes your alarm devices to Vera and this enables you to utilise them the same way as ZWave sensor to trigger events. The benefits are numerous being costs, reliability, range and reuse ability.
Some of the more common reasons to connect it up include items like alternative alarm arming/alarming notification mechanisms, shutting down (or setting up) lights when leaving/arriving, turning off/on thermostats during ‘true’ away/home states.
The list gets long once you start connecting other things to the system.
It is great, and the two accompany each other nicely. Plus the hardwired sensors from the security system are cheaper and work better than most z-wave devices. The downside is that the z-wave light switches are expensive and you need them to control lights. If the price of these switches was cut in half, the technology would probably explode with business… I use the two together to turn on lights and such when there is motion or if a door opens. My christmas lights are all controled with Z-wave and the sunset… Plus you can control both systems from anywhere you have a smartphone or internet access. I have 4 IP Video cameras with motion detection on them integrated and they also work great too! It’s all highly recommended!
I did but only for a short time. Some of earlier firmware was a little hypersensitive to network disruptions which has since been resolved as far at I am aware.
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