Aritec Cp42 - Is It Worth Keeping?

[Guest Mr Barney]

First post - please be gentle!

I've been lurking around the forum for a while looking for someone who might be able to help and I have a feeling from responses to previous questions that what I am about to ask will require a fireproof suit and a swift exit!

My parents have just moved in to a property with an Aritech CP42 panel. The system doesn't look well installed and has some damaged cables, although no tamper alarms as yet, which is just as well. They don't have a user code yet, much less an engineer code although they are trying to obtain a user code from the previous occupant (who doesn't live in this country - good chance, eh?).

Their plan is to isolate the power and rip out the whole thing (could be noisy for a while!) and then install a "DIY" type system. They are not prepared to "get a man in" and don't want to pay for maintenance on a bells only system. I'm confident that I can offer some help and at least silence it whilst it is removed, but before they do destroy it I wanted to explore every avenue. So:

Is it worth keeping this panel (i.e. is it any good?), or will they be better off with something like a powermax DIY install given their adversity to spending money on maintenance?

I would be happy to swap out the panel if someone could suggest a replacement (something like a Gardtec eurosec CPX?). It would have to come with installation manual though. I can tackle most electrical and electronics, but programming blind isn't my idea of fun.

I know from other posts that the Aritech panels are a bit cryptic to set up. On the slim chance I was able to get an engineer manual with the aim of resetting / reprogramming it, would it be worth the aggravation?

Ok, that's it. I'll be hiding under the table if anyone wants me

[Guest rjbsec]

The one good thing about "getting a man in" is that everything is new and any problems are his not yours!

[bellman]

First post - please be gentle!

I'm always gentle, Have to pay extra for me to be rough

Is it worth keeping this panel (i.e. is it any good?), or will they be better off with something like a powermax DIY install given their adversity to spending money on maintenance?

They were ok in their time, very dated now though.

It dosn't matter what system your Ma/Pa replace it with as without maintenance it will break down also. Ask them if they'd buy a new car and not have it serviced.

I would be happy to swap out the panel if someone could suggest a replacement (something like a Gardtec eurosec CPX?). It would have to come with installation manual though. I can tackle most electrical and electronics, but programming blind isn't my idea of fun.

Most DIY people that come on here tend to plump for Texecom panels as they come with both manuals and are easy to get hold of.

I know from other posts that the Aritech panels are a bit cryptic to set up. On the slim chance I was able to get an engineer manual with the aim of resetting / reprogramming it, would it be worth the aggravation?

Ok, that's it. I'll be hiding under the table if anyone wants me

Once you get your head around the idiosyncratic programming then there a breeze

I'm sure if you looked hard enough you could find an eng manual for it but not from this site.

No need to hide under the table, wo already KNOW your there

Regards

Bellman

[Guest Alarm Guard]

We used to fit these panels. They are well made & reliable. The only thing I didn't like was an annoying delay between key presses and the alarm responding.... probably only a second, but very annoying.

[Guest Mr Barney]

I'm always gentle, Have to pay extra for me to be rough

I didn't realise it was that kind of forum

They were ok in their time, very dated now though.

Is that a vote for "bin it" then? Despite hours of searching, I can't find a (thing I'm not supposed to ask for ). Google is entirely unhelpful on the subject. I guess it's going to die by default ...

It dosn't matter what system your Ma/Pa replace it with as without maintenance it will break down also. Ask them if they'd buy a new car and not have it serviced.

I appreciate that. They'd say they'd maintain it themselves (and they do). Very DIY minded, and quite stubborn .

Most DIY people that come on here tend to plump for Texecom panels as they come with both manuals and are easy to get hold of.

Sounds ok - are you thinking of the Veritas R8 specifically? And is the speech dialler worth the extra