MiCasaVerde Vera 2 & DSC Alarm System

Other Devices & Integrations Door Locks & Sensors
1

Hello All,

I am about to buy a DCS alarm system to replace my very old ADT system (that has been not used in 4 or 5 years). I think I am about to buy a DSC RFK5500 (Sixty-four Zone Programmable LCD Keypad With Built In Wireless Receiver) and a PC1864NK control board. Will also probably add a IP BAT Broadband Alarm Transmitter Communicator board, so I can remotely monitor, arm/disarm and program the DSC system.

But I have been really liking what I am reading about Z-Wave and Vera 2 system. But I am wondering how well I could get the two to work together. For example, if the smoke detectors in the house go off could I have the Vera 2 open the garage door and unlock the entry door (so the fire department could enter the house without breaking doors). Or, if the alarm system goes off have the Vera 2 turn on all interior and exterior lights…or maybe one of several water sensors detects a water leak, have the Vera 2 turn off a main water shut off valve.

The DSC 1864 has “four onboard programmable outputs” (expandable to more), so there is probably a Z-Wave sensor I could get to latch onto these outputs, so Vera 2 could monitor for such events and be programmed to use?

Thanks,
Jeff

2

Please start by having a look at: DSC Alarm Panel

3

Thanks for the info. Does look all rather complex though. And that 1960’s era RS232 just refuses to die…

Will have to do a lot more reading on MiOS, Luup and the rest. Thank God for Wikipedia and the internet.

I do want to make sure adding a board like the IT100 would not interfere with the IP BAT Broadband board I want to install in the DSC panel. But really, as of now, there only a couple events I’d need the Vera to know about, a break in (siren going off) or smoke detectors going off (a signal coming in from the hard wired smoke detectors circuit). Wonder if I could use two Z-Wave door/window or water sensor contact closures (with some modifications, maybe using a relay) to monitor these two events? [a quick search of the net I found the fortrezz WWA-01 / 02 might work, there also seem to several X-10 and Insteon options, Vera can work with both these? fortrezz also appears to be working on a " Multi Input / Output Module" module]

It’d be nice if the Vera could know when the DSC system is armed/disarmed, but that too may be able to be done by latching one of the panels 4 output lines. The IT100 may end up being the best solution…but I have very little desire to learn a whole new programming environment, or spend weeks of my free time debugging the system getting the DSC and Vera to “play nice” :slight_smile:

But I’ll do more reading on it…

Thanks again,
Jeff

4

Check this thread also. It’s full of good information.

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=5996.0

5

Kyle,

Great thread, thanks. I will read more of it in the morning :slight_smile:

I am liking the IPfob app and the IP BAT Broadband board for the DSC system…
http://www.ipfob.com/

…the $5.95/month for use of the IPfob app on my iTouch and optional $8.75 a month central station monitoring seems reasonable. Just want to be sure I am going in the right direction as I start spending money here hehehe

I also like the Z-Wave home control stuff, and having an app on my iTouch/iPhone for home control too. The DSC for the critical stuff (alarm/fire), Z-Wave/Vera 2 for everything else. Having the Vera have access to the DSC sensors icing on the cake. I am impressed how far this stuff has come, even in just the last year!

I am thinking my current hard-wired door contacts and motion sensors will work with the new DSC system, so I should be able to get the new alarm system up and working fast. My smoke detectors were hard wired together when I built the house 18 years ago, but were never wired into my old ADT panel. The smoke detectors need to be replaced with new ones (a couple of my old ones already failed) and wired into the new DSC panel. Want to do that soon. (I can’t believe the number of smoke detectors out there to choose from!)

Once the DSC system is working I can start building my Z-Wave home network. Already have lots of ideas :slight_smile:

Thanks,
Jeff

6

The main thread is actually here:

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=5154.0

7

Ok, will read that tomorrow too.

Also, I was just about to go to bed and had a thought…

The IP BAT Broadband board will already put the DSC system on my local Ethernet network (and internet), using Cat5 cables connected to my local hub/switch. I am wondering if this same board would allow the DSC system to communicate with the Vera 2 via its’ Ethernet port!?

Seems like it would only depend on the software in the two devices…but if it would work all I’d need to do is plug the Vera 2 into my local network! I will look into this more tomorrow, but if anyone knows the answer please let me know :slight_smile:

Jeff

8

It would be on the same network as Vera, but the plugin wont function, you’ll still need the IT100 for that!

9

Ok, well, that’s too bad :frowning:

I did just find this; the PowerSeries Integration Module IT-120
http://www.dsc.com/index.php?n=products&o=view&id=23

  1. Is this the same board as the IT-100, but with an Ethernet port, instead of RS232?
  2. Would this board let my DSC system communicate with the Vera 2? [seems better than using RS232]

…now, if yes to both, and assuming the IP BAT Broadband board and the IT-120 can co-exist on the DSC’s “Keybus” at the same time, then the Vera 2 could interact with the DSC alarm system?

Thanks! (learning a lot tonight)
Jeff

10

Sorry the IT-120 wont work with the plugin either :slight_smile: There is nothing stopping you having multiple devices on the bus though; they all emulate keypads, and I think you can have at least 8.

I suggest you read the other thread as despite needing the IT100, you can still link it via Ethernet with a WIZnet device.

Oh and by the way, just to confuse you more:

http://www2.eyez-on.com/EYEZON2010/envisalink-ip100d-security-.php

11

A couple of thoughts on the alarm system side:

[ul][li]Your existing wired sensors should work just fine with a new control panel, though you may need to change some resistors. Many alarm panels have the option of using resistors to help the panel monitor the status of the wiring to the sensors, and each panel uses its own value of resistor.[/li]
[li]Although there are ways of connecting normal home AC smoke alarms to an alarm panel, it’s my understanding that the relevant building codes (electrical and/or fire) prohibit it. Replace any failed smoke alarms, and install new (separate) ones to connect to your alarm panel.[/li]
[li]Central station monitoring is a really good idea, and at around $9/mo it’s hard to go wrong. Make sure it’s a UL-listed central station providing the monitoring service. Your homeowner’s insurance will give you a discount for having a monitored alarm, which in some cases can pay for the cost of monitoring (and not in others–at my current home the discount is only $30/year). Also, there’s no way to make sure you’ll be available to self-monitor 24/7/365.[/li][/ul]

12

Getting ready to order the DSC RFK5500 and a PC1864NK control board in the morning (just had one more question about what’s included with the PC1864NK for the seller).

I decided to hold off buying the IP BAT board until I get the above keypad and board working.

But does the IP100D board above work with the Vera, if the IP BAT board and IT-120 board won’t?

Is there an iPhone/iTouch app for the IP100D? Are there central station monitoring services that can work with the IP100D? …these companies that sell boards like these have to stop assuming everyone knows what they do about their products. People don’t want to deal with this! They want to just be able to pay the $99 and know the can connect the board to their system and actually start using it.

It’s like these companies that make smoke detectors. There are soooo many models (and their web sites so poor) I don’t even know what one(s) to buy to replace my old ones!! Have these companies learned nothing from Apple, and the benefits of “product line simplification”? If Apple ever did enter the home automation business they would know how to make $$ Billions…

I’d probably would have bought more home automation stuff sooner if I actually could figure out what to buy!! (and this is from someone who built his first computer from a kit over 30 years ago!)

Several years ago I actually bought a couple Marrick Ltd LynX-PORT boards. These were great boards, that could be programmed or controlled by a connected computer, and even supported X-10. But trying to decide how I wanted to use them, how I was going to wire up everything, then set up the software to run it just became too much of a hassle and consumer of my time.

That’s one reason I am excited about Z-Wave, and the Vera. We seem pretty close to just being able to plug in a device and have it actually just work! With the software and all! We really have come a long way in the past 10 years; broadband internet, wireless networks, powerful hand held devices like the iPhone/iTouch, companies willing to make a variety of Z-Wave type devices…it’s great! We really SEEM on the verge of workable home automation stuff […I do hope the Z-Wave devices are more reliable than the X-10 stuff I bought years ago though, most of which only worked a few months before breaking].

Anyway, I am about to replace my (very) old ADT system with a nice modern new one, and then hopefully jump on the Z-Wave train…here’s to hoping it can all be set up easily and work together nicely :slight_smile:

Jeff

13

Not as far as I know, but the company that make it (also make the IT100 for DSC I believe) are thinking about releasing an API for it. It maybe similar command set to the IT100 and therefore could be easy to port the code perhaps?!

Is there an iPhone/iTouch app for the IP100D?
Not sure but there is a smart phone optimized website that looks Apple themed. I guess you could easily create a shortcut in your phone to launch it, or launch it from within a weblink in SQremote.
Are there central station monitoring services that can work with the IP100D?
They are in negotiations with somebody I believe to do this!

I am thinking about buying one to tinker with, as I also need to set a monitoring contract, and also interested how similar the protocol might be to the IT100.

Just get the IT100 and a WIZnet for now to be safe.

14

This looks to be a 3rd party app that works with the IP100D

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dsc-alarm-monitor/id390093212?mt=8#

15

Has there been any update on the IP100D with Vera or is the IT-100 still the only real method? Also my panel is not that reachable as I have finished my basement around it and never ran conduit over there (big mistake). Does adding a wifi to RS-232 adapter add any major security risk that you are not already taking by adding remote access via Vera2? I may be able to fish ethernet over to the Alarm panel, but it is going to be a big job.

16

The IT100 is still the only option I’m afraid!

Security wise with an RS232 to WiFi adapter, so long as you’re using the strongest encryption possible (i.e not WEP), and a strong password, then the risk is no worse than somebody hacking your network to sniff other data such as credit card data from web transactions etc.

I think the average burglar will be your window smashing type of guy anyway rather than a hacker.

17

That’s what I was thinking as well. If you think about it, my entire hardwired alarm can be easily defeated by a simple wire cut, or smash and grab scenario now, the latter being the preferred method used by our local criminals acording to a Police officer I talked to last year. They now Police response time is about 10 minutes, so kick in the door and grab what you can in 5. That is why a camera with local SD card backup is going to be part of the system just to help catch the bastages later.

Is anyone else using the RS232 to Wifi card adapter? If so, can you post the exact link to buy? Also how hard was it to install the DSC 1832/4 panel, the RF5500 keypad, and IT-100. I am very computer and electrically savy. I have had no problems setting up the TED5000, or Vera / Zwave network so far. My house is already prewired and I am using a DSC 832 system now. Lastly, my Security company priced out some components, but they seemed twice the price at least of online stores. They said I could have the system monitored directly off the IT-100 via internet. Is this correct? I wonder if I could have the system use POTS first and backup to the IT-100. The problem is I am on FIOS and one cut to the fiber cable takes out phone and internet. Maybe GSM is the way to go?

18

@guessed was using one while he wrote the plugin, If you check out the trac space for the plugin then there is a link there so something similar to the one @guessed used:
http://code.mios.com/trac/mios_dscalarmpanel
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Roving-Networks/RN-134/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvdqMP%2FaZ%252bGClQs06owUsC0

There are some pre-packaged version of the above which is largely a development board.

I’ve also seen reference in one of the the other threads to somebody who used an iTach also; the advantage of the iTach is that the voltage is similar to the Keybus and therefore you can power it from there (also posted elsewhere).

http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=4484

Also how hard was it to install the DSC 1832/4 panel, the RF5500 keypad, and IT-100.
Should be quite easy since you have a power 832, and the only real hurdle is the programming which is a bit trickier than the wiring; however if you have an 832 then why upgrade? it should work OK with the IT100 !
Lastly, my Security company priced out some components, but they seemed twice the price at least of online stores. They said I could have the system monitored directly off the IT-100 via internet. Is this correct?
This is incorrect as it only gives an RS232 interface for something like Vera or another HA controller, and unless somebody makes another box that plugs into the RS232 port, then I can't see it. They likely confused the IT100 with the TL150/250
I wonder if I could have the system use POTS first and backup to the IT-100. The problem is I am on FIOS and one cut to the fiber cable takes out phone and internet. Maybe GSM is the way to go?
GSM is one of the safest/clean backup solutions, the other is to use a router that can fall over to using a 3G/4G connection and use one of the IP based communicators such as TL150, IPBAT, ARIM from alarmrelay.com, or a similar linksys VOIP device, all in tandem with the IT100
19

GSM huh? Ever heard of cell jammers? now THOSE are easy to get on Ebay!

[quote=“Cherokee180c, post:17, topic:168411”]That’s what I was thinking as well. If you think about it, my entire hardwired alarm can be easily defeated by a simple wire cut, or smash and grab scenario now, the latter being the preferred method used by our local criminals acording to a Police officer I talked to last year. They now Police response time is about 10 minutes, so kick in the door and grab what you can in 5. That is why a camera with local SD card backup is going to be part of the system just to help catch the bastages later.

Is anyone else using the RS232 to Wifi card adapter? If so, can you post the exact link to buy? Also how hard was it to install the DSC 1832/4 panel, the RF5500 keypad, and IT-100. I am very computer and electrically savy. I have had no problems setting up the TED5000, or Vera / Zwave network so far. My house is already prewired and I am using a DSC 832 system now. Lastly, my Security company priced out some components, but they seemed twice the price at least of online stores. They said I could have the system monitored directly off the IT-100 via internet. Is this correct? I wonder if I could have the system use POTS first and backup to the IT-100. The problem is I am on FIOS and one cut to the fiber cable takes out phone and internet. Maybe GSM is the way to go?[/quote]

20

Now your going to really worry people!

OK how about Satellite Broadband as a backup for your backup? :slight_smile: