Bentley Alpha V2/4 Info And/or Suggested Replacement

[EdGasket]

Hi, I have moved into a house with a wired alarm system with 3 PIRs, radio panic button, and bellbox connected to a Bentley Alpha V2/4 panel with a keyswitch to set and unset the alarm. Does anyone have any service information on the Bentley or any useful wiring diagram? Any information on servicing the system also required.

I am reasonably proficient with electrical/electronics and am thinking of maintaining this system myself rather than continuing the maintenance contract at £125 per annum as that seems rather a lot for an old system, and a complete new system with telephone dialler is not much more.

If I do get a problem with the system, would I be better off just replacing the old panel with a new 'wired' board? I am wondering whether the Accenta Mini G4 Alarm Panel + LCD Keypad - 8SP399A would be a suitable replacement and would it be a straightforward swap? or should I just go wireless with something like the Yale HSA6400 and replace everything? I think I would prefer to stay 'wired' as the wiring is all there and I imagine this is generally more reliable than wireless and less hassle as I would not need to be continually changing batteries.

Any advice appreciated as security alarms are a new DIY area for me.

[MrHappy]

and am thinking of maintaining this system myself rather than continuing the maintenance contract at £125 per annum as that seems rather a lot for an old system,

assuming an inspectorate co. sounds about an average price & is likley to meet with the requirements of an insurer.

I am wondering whether the Accenta Mini G4 Alarm Panel + LCD Keypad - 8SP399A would be a suitable replacement and would it be a straightforward swap? or should I just go wireless with something like the Yale HSA6400 and replace everything?

as far as I'm aware neither of these declare any complaince with any BS/ En security alarm std ?

[norman]

£125 pa seems not a lot for peace of mind in my opinion.

[EdGasket]

Well whether £125 is a lot or not is relative I guess. Anyway compared to the cost of a new Accenta mini at £43 or the Accenta large at £55, it seems a lot to pay. Over 10 years it would be £1250 assuming they don't increase the charge, which they will. Plus the Bentley Alpha is 20 years old and they are probably going to say it needs replacing with a more up-to-date system anyway which would not be included in the £125.

So leaving aside whether the maintenance fee is reasonable or not, do you know if the alpha panel can be swapped out for the Accenta easily; it looks pretty straightforward from the Accenta instructions ?

(link on this page: ?

I assume 12v is the standard for wired alarm equipment?

Also any wiring info on the Bentley would be useful or should it be reasonably easy to see what's what by the PCB markings inside?

Please No Links

[MrHappy]

Also any wiring info on the Bentley would be useful or should it be reasonably easy to see what's what by the PCB markings inside?

all the bentley information was on bentley's site,

alarms of this era are mostly doubled poled which means + alarm loops & - tamper loop, diy type panels like the accenta ect.... still support this type of wring for detection circuits

[fozzies]

And yes, 12 v is standard for intruder alarms

[EdGasket]

Thank you for the info Mr Happy and fozzies.

I checked the Bentley website (http://www.bentleysecurity.com/data-sheets/) but cannot find any information on the Alpha board as they only list 6 data sheets on peripheral equipment. I will email them and see what they say.

Can you explain more what "+ alarm loops & - tamper loop," mean? I presume the tamper loop is simply an out and return loop to all devices connected in series. I guess the alarm signal either goes high or low on triggering? I also saw some reference to bell boxes being SAB or SCB? what is the difference please?

PIR detector wiring - can I tell from the wires which is which or will I have to try and decode from where they are connected to the alpha board? (I assume 2 wires are + 12v and ground, 2 wires are tamper loop, and two wires are signal and ground, plus probably two spare cores?)

Thanks again for any info.

[EdGasket]

Can you recommend any other panel in preference to the Accenta for a swap out e.g. would the

Texecom Veritas R8 Control Panel and Remote Keypad

(http://www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/catalog/secware-texecom-6-pir-complete-kit-p-923.html)

be better?

[sixwheeledbeast]

SAB/SCB

http://www.thesecuri...post__p__278556

Double Pole Wiring (Alarm and Tamper Loops)

http://www.thesecuri...post__p__271474

I think you may have over looked the post below, all the models you have stated (G4/Yale/R8) are budget panels.

None declare any compliance with BS/EN standards, this and the maintenance agreement maybe important for you home insurance.

Just because it can be done easily, it doesn't mean you should.

http://www.thesecuri...post__p__278720

Information on how to wire all parts of a new panel/system, would be in the installation manual of your new panel.

Normally they come with wiring diagrams.

If you have to take all the wiring apart and treat it like a new system, at least you'll know it's wired as the manual.

Personally I would look after the system you have (if adequate), by keeping a maintenance agreement.

This is what's involved on a preventative maintenance visit.

http://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/32047-rookie-intruder-alarm-questions/page__view__findpost__p__277080

[EdGasket]

I don't know whether the existing Alpha panel and bell box are still BS/EN compliant. The bell box can be neutralised by expanding foam and the Bentley alpha panel can be opened with a normal flat-blade screwdriver and the key contacts shorted to reset the alarm in about 15 seconds before the bell has had a chance to ring ! I think either of the Accenta or R8 panels would be a big improvement. If you can recommend a BS/EN approved panel then please suggest one and I'll consider that also.

Thanks for the links to the other posts re SAB/SCB and wiring.

I note your advice ref. continuing the maintenance agreement but remember this is a DIY forum. I am here because I want to learn, maintain or replace the system myself and not keep shelling out on maintenance for an outdated system.