DSC Wireless Alarm System Integration to Vera - 2/2013

Plugins & Plugin Development DSC Alarm System
21

If you want any installer/dealer from the DSC site I am a installer and have access to that. Let me know if you need any info.[/quote]

Thanks for the offer. I guess I’m just wondering when the v4.6 firmware became available for the Power Series panels. Is the version information stamped on the box that the panel comes in so it’s easy to tell if you have the latest version or do you have to look on the circuit board or someplace else on the panel to verify the version you have?

22

I’m sure this is found somewhere else but I can’t find it. I read everything I could. I need to price and purchase a system today so I’d like to get my parts list correct. I want to interface a Vera Lite to a DSC1832. Both will be new. Couple of questions:

  1. I’d like IP monitoring of the alarm system as well. If I go with the EVL3 am I forced to use a specific monitoring company? If so, are there other options for hardware that allows a choice of monitoring companies?

  2. If I do go with the EVL3 do I need a hardwired connection between the Vera and the DSC panel? Do I still need an IT100 or any other connection hardware (USB-Serial, etc) to allow the Vera to communicate with the DSC?

Thanks again in advance for the help.

23

It connects to the alarm the same way as any keypad either directly or via another device such as a keypad. No, you not require the it100.

It provides self monitor or they have their own monitoring, it can’t be used to report to another monitoring company as far as I know but normal alarm function reporting remains the same and can be set up to use any monitoring company.

See http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,13818.msg104190.html#msg104190

24

I found a pdf on this somewhere and it said there were yellow stickers on master and product cartons. Also talks about what keypad you have to have to use more than 32 wireless zones.
I tried to post the pdf, but it was too large for this site.
Let’s try this:
http://www51.zippyshare.com/v/50561422/file.html

there is the pdf if you can get to that site.

25

Documentation on the DSC website seem to have been mentioning 4.6 well before I found the actual control panels and new keypads available (here in the U.S.). Seems like they are available now. I have seen the yellow v4.6 sticker on the box, for the boards + enclosure. Not sure if the control boards come in a carton. The plastic case is sealed with a white label, which I think mentions the version. And then the green sticker on the control board itself has the version.

Both control panel and wireless transceiver (whether integrated in keypad or not) must support 64 wireless channels, if that’s what you’re after. My impression is that that means PC1864 with v4.6 firmware as the control board. And then RFK5564 as wired keypad. Or the TR5164 transceiver + WT5500 keypad. Not sure if TR5164 + say PTK5507 would work (obviously you’re not using the wireless keypad feature of the TR5164 in that case).

26

My understanding is you can only have wireless receiver active so you can’t use a standalone wireless and keypad with an integrated receiver in the same system

*there is a module that can allow multiple standalone wireless receivers to be connected via it to the keybus but that doesn’t help you with a keypad with a receiver in it.

  • mrw298
27

I found a pdf on this somewhere and it said there were yellow stickers on master and product cartons. Also talks about what keypad you have to have to use more than 32 wireless zones.
I tried to post the pdf, but it was too large for this site.
Let’s try this:
http://www51.zippyshare.com/v/50561422/file.html

there is the pdf if you can get to that site.[/quote]

Thanks. Got it.

28

[quote=“oTi@, post:25, topic:174399”]Documentation on the DSC website seem to have been mentioning 4.6 well before I found the actual control panels and new keypads available (here in the U.S.). Seems like they are available now. I have seen the yellow v4.6 sticker on the box, for the boards + enclosure. Not sure if the control boards come in a carton. The plastic case is sealed with a white label, which I think mentions the version. And then the green sticker on the control board itself has the version.

Both control panel and wireless transceiver (whether integrated in keypad or not) must support 64 wireless channels, if that’s what you’re after. My impression is that that means PC1864 with v4.6 firmware as the control board. And then RFK5564 as wired keypad. Or the TR5164 transceiver + WT5500 keypad. Not sure if TR5164 + say PTK5507 would work (obviously you’re not using the wireless keypad feature of the TR5164 in that case).[/quote]

Thanks for the info. I guess I’ll be checking the yellow and green stickers when they get delivered. I’m just going for a maximum of 32 wireless zones so the PC1832, a TR5164 Transceiver and a couple of WT5500 keypads will work for me. I also have to make sure the WT5500 keypad is a v1.4+ since that is in the spec sheet for the TR5164. I contacted the company that makes the Ion plungers and Ion Micra switches and they said their devices will work with the TR5164. Lots of hoops to jump through to make sure that they all play together nicely. Oh well, that’s life in the tech world!

My potential new DSC Alarm System:

PC1832NK - DSC PowerSeries 8-32 Zone Control Panel
XR-1640LED - 16.5 40VA Transformer
BD712 - 12 Volt 7AH Alarm System Battery
CAMLOCK - DSC Camlock

WT5500 - DSC Alexor 2-Way Wireless LCD Keypad (2)
PK5500 - DSC Custom English LCD Keypad

TR5164-433 - DSC PowerSeries 2-Way Wireless Transceiver
EVL-3 - Envisalink Internet Alert Module for DSC & Honeywell Security

WT4911B - DSC Alexor 2-Way Wireless Outdoor Siren & Strobe
WT4901 - DSC Alexor 2-Way Wireless Indoor Siren
WLS914-433 - DSC Wireless Pet-Immune Infrared Motion Detector

PLUNGER-D - ION Security DSC Compatible Wireless Door Sensor (3)
MICRA-D - ION Security DSC Compatible Wireless Window Sensor (2)
EV-DW4975 - Vanishing Wireless Door Window Sensor

29

Can’t wait to hear the results. I’ve been thinking of a similar setup for a while now. The addition of wireless keypads might finally make it a reality if they all play nice.

30

After further research, I’ve found that the WT4911 Wireless Outdoor Siren won’t work with the TR5164 Transceiver. At least that is what 2 different website vendors have posted on their page for this product. My question is, can anyone tell me if the WT4901 Indoor Siren will work? I’ve scoured about every website and forum and the DSC website won’t let me access much since I’m not a dealer/installer. Thanks for any help you can give me on this. What would be great is if someone had access to the latest DSC listing for the TR5164 that shows what wireless items will definitely work and what items definitely won’t work.

31

By the spec sheet it won’t support either mention.

32

Is the Compatible Wireless Devices section in the manual not accurate / complete?

33

Spec sheet is located at:
http://cms.dsc.com/download.php?t=1&id=12472

Design notes extract:

The TR5164 brings DSC’s 2-Way Wireless capability to the PowerSeries product family, offering the flexibility to add 2-way wirefree keypads and 2-way wireless keys to the PowerSeries system.
Several design considerations have been implemented to ensure maximum compatibility between PowerSeries and WT5500 features; however, some design differences must be considered when using this combination of products.
Please review the summary notes below before installing these products.
?
? ?
The TR5164 is compatible with the following product versions: ? PowerSeriesv4.6andhigher
? WT5500 v1.41 and higher
? WT4989
NOTE: The TR5164 does not support 2-Way sirens.
WT5500 keypads natively support 1 partition and will be assigned to Partition 1 automatically. They cannot be assigned to other partitions and do not support any functions related to partitions 2-8.
Due to differences in their menu structure, some PowerSeries features are not accessible via WT5500.

Also, some WT5500 functions are not supported on PowerSeries. An error tone sounds when attempting these functions.
Example: Instant Arm and Night Arm are not supported on PowerSeries.
? The TR5164 automatically handles 1-way and 2-way wireless device serial numbers. This enables enrollment of devices with either 8 digits or 6 digits via any keypad. See section 3.4 of the Installation Manual for more details.
? Label broadcasting is available via TR5164. Labels can be broadcast from WT5500 keypads to other WT5500 keypads, and from PK5500 keypads to WT5500 keypads. Please note that labels cannot be broadcast from WT5500 keypads to PK5500 keypads.
? The TR5164 allows auto-enrollment of WT5500 keypads on power- up. Device Quick Enroll is also available via WT5500 keypads. See sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Installation Manual for more details.
? Zones 29-32 are reserved as “WT5500 Supervision Zones” during the auto-enrollment process. These zones are used for supervision of Low Battery and Tamper conditions on WT5500 keypads. As a result, the total zone capacity of the TR5164 is 60 zones. See section 3.1 of the Installation Manual for more details.

34

Unfortunately, being new to the whole alarm system scene, I don’t know how accurate “spec” sheets are. I’ve purchased many tech products in the past that have compatible device lists when they’re first released, but additional devices get added after being on the market for a while. The one I was able to access is 4 months old. I was hoping that a newer updated list might be available by now. I guess if no one is able to get access to a newer listing, I’ll have to assume that the list I have is accurate right now. That means there are NO wireless sirens, indoor or outdoor, that are compatible with this transceiver. That kind of sucks since I thought the whole purpose of bringing out this transceiver was so that homeowners could go completely wireless for all their devices. You’d think that at least one siren would be compatible since virtually all alarm systems have that as a pretty basic function. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

Thanks for your replies.

35

Spec sheet is located at:
http://cms.dsc.com/download.php?t=1&id=12472

Design notes extract:

The TR5164 brings DSC’s 2-Way Wireless capability to the PowerSeries product family, offering the flexibility to add 2-way wirefree keypads and 2-way wireless keys to the PowerSeries system.
Several design considerations have been implemented to ensure maximum compatibility between PowerSeries and WT5500 features; however, some design differences must be considered when using this combination of products.
Please review the summary notes below before installing these products.
?
? ?
The TR5164 is compatible with the following product versions: ? PowerSeriesv4.6andhigher
? WT5500 v1.41 and higher
? WT4989
NOTE: The TR5164 does not support 2-Way sirens.
WT5500 keypads natively support 1 partition and will be assigned to Partition 1 automatically. They cannot be assigned to other partitions and do not support any functions related to partitions 2-8.
Due to differences in their menu structure, some PowerSeries features are not accessible via WT5500.

Also, some WT5500 functions are not supported on PowerSeries. An error tone sounds when attempting these functions.
Example: Instant Arm and Night Arm are not supported on PowerSeries.
? The TR5164 automatically handles 1-way and 2-way wireless device serial numbers. This enables enrollment of devices with either 8 digits or 6 digits via any keypad. See section 3.4 of the Installation Manual for more details.
? Label broadcasting is available via TR5164. Labels can be broadcast from WT5500 keypads to other WT5500 keypads, and from PK5500 keypads to WT5500 keypads. Please note that labels cannot be broadcast from WT5500 keypads to PK5500 keypads.
? The TR5164 allows auto-enrollment of WT5500 keypads on power- up. Device Quick Enroll is also available via WT5500 keypads. See sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Installation Manual for more details.
? Zones 29-32 are reserved as “WT5500 Supervision Zones” during the auto-enrollment process. These zones are used for supervision of Low Battery and Tamper conditions on WT5500 keypads. As a result, the total zone capacity of the TR5164 is 60 zones. See section 3.1 of the Installation Manual for more details.[/quote]

Thanks for the reply. I do have the spec sheet that you referenced above and there isn’t any mention of the incompatibility for 2-way sirens. I guess the “Design Notes Extract” that you are referring to is something that only dealers/installers have access to. I looked at the installation manual for the TR5164 and I didn’t see anything in there, either. Based on your information though, I guess sirens are a no-go. Bummer!

36

Alternative option to conceal the siren at the panel. That way you are not running wires other then a few inches.

Otherwise, you correct. There is nothing on their site that indicates that more options are being designed/developed at this point of time but seeing there is still distinct differences between the PC series and Alexor who knows what’s is on the horizon.

37

Yes, the Design is restricted to installers access but that information is critical to design and implementation and it should be covered.

38

Just wanted to chime in with what I’ve got working so far, thanks to everyone’s help. Here’s the list of components:

[ul][li]WT5500 - DSC 2-Way Wireless LCD Keypad [/li]
[li]TR5164-433 - DSC PowerSeries 2-Way Wireless Transceiver [/li]
[li]EVL-3 - Envisalink Internet Alert Module for DSC & Honeywell Security[/li]
[li]KIT32-219 - DSC Power 1832 Wireless Ready Security Kit[/li]
[li]EV-DW4975 - Vanishing Wireless Door Window Sensor[/li]
[li]WLS914-433 - DSC Wireless Pet-Immune Infrared[/li]
[li]Mi Casa Verde VeraLite Home Controller[/li][/ul]

I also have a GS2060 (DSC GSM/GPRS Wireless Alarm Communicator) on order for GSM alarm monitoring.

I was surprised how easily everything went together. After setting up the 1832 with a couple of test sensors, I plugged in the the EVL-3. It auto-detected the Veralite right away with barely any configuration (just put in the IP and port). The whole setup is only on a test bench right now, but I’m able to perform simple functions such as trigger scenes via window sensors which is AWESOME.

Thanks again everyone!

39

@Aldera,

If I can help answer some of your questions (especially since you got the ball rolling):

[ul][li]If you really needed to save a bit, I think you COULD skip the wired keypad, but I wound up doing most of my programming so far on the wired version. Not that enrolling the WT5500 was hard, but the wireless keypad has quite a bit of latency, and it’s just another possible point of failure to troubleshoot.[/li]
[li]I ordered my 1832 from homesecuritystore.com. They shipped a v4.6 unit; the outside of the box has a bright yellow sticker denoting the version.[/li][/ul]

If there’s anything else I missed or can help answer, let me know.

40

[quote=“silencery, post:39, topic:174399”]@Aldera,

If I can help answer some of your questions (especially since you got the ball rolling):

[ul][li]If you really needed to save a bit, I think you COULD skip the wired keypad, but I wound up doing most of my programming so far on the wired version. Not that enrolling the WT5500 was hard, but the wireless keypad has quite a bit of latency, and it’s just another possible point of failure to troubleshoot.[/li]
[li]I ordered my 1832 from homesecuritystore.com. They shipped a v4.6 unit; the outside of the box has a bright yellow sticker denoting the version.[/li][/ul]

If there’s anything else I missed or can help answer, let me know.[/quote]

Glad to hear everything is working for you. You’re the first one I’ve found that has an actual working system. Other than me having a Vera 2, we’ll have the same basic setup. I’ll probably get my system in April when it warms up a little here. Good luck with things and if you run into any gotchas, please let us know.