Z-Wave PIRs with contact output?

racarter · February 20, 2012, 10:03am

I have a security system with several 12v-powered PIRs which are wired back to a central panel. I realise I could replace the panel with one which could communicate with Vera, but I’d prefer to replace a couple of the PIRs with Z-Wave devices. Unfortunately all the Z-Wave PIRs I can find are battery-operated and don’t have a contact output. Is anyone aware of a 12v powered PIR with contact output?

Thanks in advance.

strangely · February 20, 2012, 10:31am

Nope sorry. If you have the wiring and the sensors then I’d replace the panel. Theres likely not much in it cost wise!

garrettwp · February 20, 2012, 10:37am

I agree with Strangely. You already have the wiring and devices, why not replace the panel? What is the make of the security system?

Garrett

racarter · February 20, 2012, 2:10pm

Thought as much. Thanks guys.

Garrett - the panel is 25 years old and was a generic 4-zone unit from the local security store so I guess it’s due for replacement anyway. The main problem is that it’s a long way from anywhere I could run a cable to, so I’d need to choose a panel with wi-fi network comms…

strangely · February 20, 2012, 2:26pm

Depending on the sort of panel you replace it with, then you can either link the panel back to Vera in quite few ways with either serial to WiFi devices, Ethernet, or Ethernet and wireless bridges. Depending on where your keypad is located (and the type of wiring used), then you can generally tap into this bus and wire a comms module in parallel with the keypad somewhere if its in a more convenient location for your Vera.

JimMac · February 21, 2012, 1:08am

The short answer is yes you can use the 12v to power a HSM100 using the instructions in this post… http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,9187.0.html. Even though you can do this you are only using the power and there is no integration of triggers into your alarm system. I highly recommend that you get a new alarm board as the HSM100 is a good backup to a monitored alarm panel.

racarter · February 22, 2012, 7:46pm

Yes Jim, I was aware I could use the alarm panel power for a Z-Wave PIR, but as you say there’s no integration with the alarm system - hence my original question.

OK, a new panel seems the way to go. I’ve found a spare installed 4-core alarm cable to get me from panel to Vera, so if I got a standard panel with serial comms I could use 232-485 converters to cope with the distance, then 232 to USB to get into Vera.

Any recommendations for reasonably-priced UK-available alarm panels with serial comms would be much appreciated.