Jump to content
Security Installer Community

Control Panel For Diy Electronics Enthusiast


AlanSlough

Recommended Posts

Posted

Some background on me to bore you with:

Engineer, running his own control systems business (not security-related)

Recently finished renovating house complete with hard-wired sensor cabling.

Wishing to DIY install and self-program a security system.

Having looked at various control panels, I would quite like to try one of Honeywell's Galaxy series (either G2 or Dimension).

Would I be correct in thinking, however, that this range of control panels is restricted to the security installer trade only? This would mean that programming support would be difficult to obtain.

I read on a review site that "one annoying feature of the Dimension series, is that the user has to promote the engineer rights to use the system." What does promote the engineer rights mean?

Posted

Galaxy panels do not come with an engineer manual so you will start with your hands tied so to speak.

Posted
Some background on me to bore you with:

Engineer, running his own control systems business (not security-related)

Recently finished renovating house complete with hard-wired sensor cabling.

Wishing to DIY install and self-program a security system.

Having looked at various control panels, I would quite like to try one of Honeywell's Galaxy series (either G2 or Dimension).

Would I be correct in thinking, however, that this range of control panels is restricted to the security installer trade only? This would mean that programming support would be difficult to obtain.

I read on a review site that "one annoying feature of the Dimension series, is that the user has to promote the engineer rights to use the system." What does promote the engineer rights mean?

In my experience there is very little that is "restricted to security installer trade" in reality.

Most alarm equipment is sold via distributors who will usually trip over themselves to sell to you. I know many electricians who fit the odd alarm system as part of a larger job and although they may not get the best prices because of the small quantitites they buy they can still buy Galaxy equipment.

If you are determined to buy Galaxy why not call a few distributors and ask them, failing that Texecom equipment is well regarded and comes with good techincal manuals.

Posted

Bear in mind honeywell are not very forward thinking, and very restrictive on the information they give out.

They wont give out protocols etc to people unless you can prove it is in their business interest, so no good for diy'ers that

could take a system and interface it to others with the protocol. Not unless you want to reverse engineer it all.

I could understand it if their was a major security issue, but it's not like they put much thought into securing things anyway, so cant see the point.

It's their loss at the end of the day though.

Posted

ken

sorry i dont agree

Protocols can be used to defeat the panel and its right and proper these are resticted.

The galaxy is pretty unique in having the number of comms options it has and can be used (and is used) in serious HA

it also has a plain text serial output.... so cant see why it would be hard to use that.

securitywarehouse Security Supplies from Security Warehouse

Trade Members please contact us for your TSI vetted trade discount.

Posted
<snip>

...failing that Texecom equipment is well regarded and comes with good techincal manuals.

Does the Texecom Premier 816 have a good reputation? It doesn't seem to have as many features as the Galaxy, but could save me some frustration in trying to get started if Honeywell are not forthcoming with support.

Thanks.

Posted
Texecom will you support you as a non pro installer. Honeywell will not.

James

But IMO the dimension is a far supirior panel

Well, could you recommend one or two models which are "top end" but where the manufacturer will support the DIY installer, please?

Posted

no not really as its a bit of an oxymoron that.

I would say you will have to go with the premier, as very very few manuafactures support diy for their top end products. They are a bit to complicated and support would be impossible. ie they all assume previous experiance, training etc. You will have none of those.

I know everyone thinks 'how hard can it be' but if your not in the job they are not simple especially when you start pushing them

securitywarehouse Security Supplies from Security Warehouse

Trade Members please contact us for your TSI vetted trade discount.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.