Does anyone know of a Z-Wave transmitter that will fire an event by detection of a contact closure? Specifically - I would like to reuse several expensive alarm system components from a system that I have deactivated, such as smoke detectors and motion sensors, and incorporate these into my Vera network.
The Hawking HRDS1 (also known as the Homemanageables HM-DW001) is the device you want. It’s a door/window sensor that also features a set of contacts. If you do a search on here for HDRS1, you’ll find loads of examples.
Alternatively, you can replace your alarm panel with one that integrates with Vera (such as GE/Caddx or DSC) and expose the sensors to vera via the (now functioning) alarm system.
Cheers
… and also known as Everspring SM103, see [tt]http://wiki.micasaverde.com/index.php/Supported_Hardware#Sensors[/tt].
Thank you for your suggestions, gentlemen. An alarm panel would of course be the best route, except that the construction of this place doesn’t really lend itself to a centrally wired system. My thinking was to power every sensor locally to trigger a Z-Wave transmitter and use Vera as my alarm panel. The other benefit to that is that I can act as my own central station - IE: get an alarm notification from Vera on my iPad, peek at the cameras and see what’s really going on, and call the cops if needed.
I would still do this with a dedicated alarm panel If I was you.
Wireless alarm panel sensors are cheaper and in the long run if you are going to use a lot of them, more reliable, and way longer battery life!
You have the best of both worlds! I have 2 HRDS1 sensors used for other purposes and they chew through batteries!
I hear you loud and clear Strangely, and I fully agree. But I’m weary of battery-powered devices in general, as this is a very remote location that I am monitoring. I have done this at other installations, albeit not with Z-Wave devices, as I am very new to this technology. The current PIR sensors that I have are top of the line, both ceiling mounts and wall mounts, and the smokes likewise. I would love to use them again. I can power them with a dedicated transformer at each location supplying the same voltage that the original GE panel did. I’m now leary of the HRDS1s based on your experience, but I could power them with transformers as well (a simple wiring mod). It seems potentially feasible to me, but you folks have been around this stuff much more that I, which is why I have joined this forum, and I am really grateful to all of you that provide your insights and expertise to the rest of us that are beginning the Vera journey. Speaking of which Strangely, I am curious about why you have not yet taken the plunge into FW1245? You certainly have as much or more experience, with a wide array of goodies, than anyone on this forum, and I have benefitted from your posts everywhere, so I remain intrigued!
I am on 1245, I just forgot to update my profile 
If you have a GE panel then depending on the type, then you maybe able to use @fuztles plug-in for it.
Yeah, I scoped out futzels plug-in earlier today once I saw that GE panels were a supported possibility. My issue is still with the architecture of the building - circa 1940, vaulted throughout, all precious wood paneling floor to ceiling - can’t really see how I would wire everything to a central panel - already had the Dickens of a time getting HVAC wiring up one floor to the t-stat. Wireless is the way to go here - enter Vera/Z-Wave. Locks, switches, lamps are all cool due to no wiring required, but sensors are another matter entirely.
Some of the wireless alarm panel sensors have great battery life and have a smaller footprint than the HRDS1 etc… something to consider!
For DSC, check out the vanishing range sensors,
…and also the ION (3rd party) range of sensors.
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-1373-micra-d-ion-security-dsc-compatible-wireless-window-sensor.aspx
For GE also…
Sigh! OK, I guess you’re saying that I should abandon my hopes of using my thousand-dollar existing [wired] sensors and go with new purchases of battery powered devices everywhere. Not exactly what I had in mind when starting this thread.
[quote=“strangely, post:9, topic:168260”]…and also the ION (3rd party) range of sensors.
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-1373-micra-d-ion-security-dsc-compatible-wireless-window-sensor.aspx[/quote]
…the link doesn’t seem to work ?
Just a question: don’t these usually wired sensors need some kind of power to work ?
[quote=“Soiferheld, post:10, topic:168260”]Sigh! OK, I guess you’re saying that I should abandon my hopes of using my thousand-dollar existing [wired] sensors and go with new purchases of battery powered devices everywhere. Not exactly what I had in mind when starting this thread.[/quote]No, well if they are already wired components then you can just use them by interfacing the panel with Vera. The thread went off on a tangent because of the suggestion of interfacing the components with Zwave contact closures…
[quote=“huogas, post:11, topic:168260”][quote=“strangely, post:9, topic:168260”]…and also the ION (3rd party) range of sensors.
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-1373-micra-d-ion-security-dsc-compatible-wireless-window-sensor.aspx[/quote]
…the link doesn’t seem to work ?[/quote]
Works for me!
Can you get to http://www.homesecuritystore.com ?
[quote=“strangely, post:13, topic:168260”][/quote]No, well if they are already wired components then you can just use them by interfacing the panel with Vera. The thread went off on a tangent because of the suggestion of interfacing the components with Zwave contact closures…
[/quote]
Actually the thread is quite clear as to my intentions. I have expensive [wired-type] sensors from a commercial alarm system that I took down recently. I would like to use these in a wireless fashion, powered individually and locally with transformers because the building is too difficult to wire up centrally. That is the summary of everything that has been discussed so far. The remaining question is what is my best option for talking to Vera from each location. Thanks.
Why did you take them down?
The Alarm option using wireless sensors is still the best IMHO
[quote=“strangely, post:14, topic:168260”][quote=“huogas, post:11, topic:168260”][quote=“strangely, post:9, topic:168260”]…and also the ION (3rd party) range of sensors.
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-1373-micra-d-ion-security-dsc-compatible-wireless-window-sensor.aspx[/quote]
Works for me!
Can you get to http://www.homesecuritystore.com ?[/quote]
Good point… 
If you've been redirected to this page before, we've detected an error with your cookie settings. Please clear your browser’s cookies and try going to www.homesecuritystore.com again.…the link doesn’t seem to work ?[/quote] I will check that. Thanks for pointing.
[quote=“strangely, post:16, topic:168260”]Why did you take them down?
The Alarm option using wireless sensors is still the best IMHO :)[/quote]
Thanks, but somehow I am failing to communicate.
- I recently sold a building housing my business and relocated to a secured commercial location.
- I had a very expensive alarm system in the old building that I took down prior to selling the building.
- I also have a classic oceanfront home that I am outfitting with Vera and ZWave devices.
- This home is practically impossible to hard wire due to its construction.
- I would love to re-purpose my expensive alarm components at this home and have them talk to Vera.
- I think I can power them locally with individual transformers.
- This home is at a remote location and I don’t feel comfortable using battery powered sensors.
THE END :
[quote=“Soiferheld, post:18, topic:168260”][…]
5. I would love to re-purpose my expensive alarm components at this home and have them talk to Vera.
[…][/quote]
Ah! Taken down from location A, to be re-used in location B. Given the entire context and requirements, the answer was probably in the first few words of the first response (“HRDS1”).
Ah, now the penny drops
I still wouldn’t re-purpose them for your new location as tempting as it sounds! You are adding complication and extra components, and possibly cost depending on how many sensors you want to integrate. By the way, how many sensors are you planning on using?
Basically with your approach you will have two sensors, and at least one power supply (maybe 4 pieces in total if you need two power supplies). Unless you can hide this stuff away, then its gonna be ugly!
Battery life on most wireless alarm stuff is about 5 years by the way!