Optima XM - Won't Reset

[Guest nidgep]

I have now installed the new battery and as predicted - all is now OK again.

Big thanks to all who have taken the time and trouble to help me.

One more question, if I may?

I will be looking to install a new alarm system later this year and wondered what manufacturer you would recommend?

I will be looking for a panel that can have:

multi-zone with multi programmable options. (individual zone programming options - for example the garage)

multiple remote keypads with dot matrix / lcd display.

Option to connect to a PC / laptop for programming and or upload / downloading.

accept inputs from mains powered smoke detectors and other external devices that are not specifically associated with an alarm system.

accept an internal/external modem connection to send out alerts (preferably a text message if that option is available) that state the date/time/zone and type of alarm condition etc.

Ability to query the status of the alarm through a pc connection (connected to the internet via broadband for example)

I think that this is enough for now - do such panels exist and if so how much should I expect to pay for something so configurable?

Any help or advice on this would be appreciated.

[Guest Adrian]

B) I would guess a lot of money and technicale (Dave where is the spell checker?)know how.

Most of the features you are asking for are engineer only bits, but I,m certain somone on here will be able to help you with this one.

Adrian B)

[Guest nidgep]

Thanks once again for the info.

I did expect to have some difficulty in obtaining certain system modules but I did expect to be able to plug-in a laptop at least and use software to connect and configure the main panel / keypads through a more user friendly interface [which would incidentally make troubleshooting easier].

After all, if you still need the user code before entering an engineer code as in the Optima XM6 that I have then I don't see any particular problem.

This is especially true if using a PC, as an encryption algorithm / mechanism can be used to control the connected session.[hand shaking].

I would like the ability to be warned via a text message and also to be able to connect to the modem / panel via the Public Service Telephone Network [PSTN] in order to query the status and or reset any alarms [false alarms hopefully] remotely. It would just give peace of mind.

As far as using the internet / pc to communincate with a control panel, firstly you would have to identify yourself to the PC [logon] in order to control it to communicate with the alarm system - this would require several levels of username / password combinations and could also be run under something known a SSL [secure Socket Layers] which is the mechanism used when buying online goods and as you all probably know uses 128bit encryption to secure any data transmitted - pretty secure I think.

As you may have guessed i am not an alarm engineer I just like tekkie stuff.

I am a former electrician and electrical control panel builder, and now employed as a computer programmer.

Anyway back to the original question - taking the last few postings into account and the fact that I am not in the trade - which panel would you recommend and what would the estimated cost be for a good reliable panel with remote keypads, LCD display(s), being able to accept multi inputs [volt free, relay or otherwise e.g. RS232 serial comms] which can have ID tags attached to give meaning to the connected equipment (perhaps a binary code like the remote keypad adresses with the addition of a textual meaning for ease of understanding), with the ability to send alerts via text and also accept a dial up connection in order to query the panel and possibly reset alarm conditions etc.

Thanks to Pete for his reply - hope that one day your thoughts turn to reality especially if they are available non-commercially!

Look forward to reading your recommendations.

Nigel

[Guest nidgep]

Thanks for your help Pete.

I understand the security conscious attitiude of yourselves and the manufacturers after all what would be the point in dishing out loads of security info to anyone who requested it.

I will investigate the options available to me - especially the manufacturer and panel you recommended [Ademco Microtec Galaxy] and see how far I can get.

I was fully expecting to pay approx £500 plus for this sort of stuff any way.

Thanks once again.

Regards

nigel

PS

Perhaps I will add another post in the near future when i have researched a little more. It may help others whom have the same appetite /aptitude for having tekkie stuff in their homes.

If I do succeed in finding a suitable panel/system you may find me back posing installation queries!