House alarm which can be integrated?

[Malc]

So does the wifi/lan panel contact Texecom by default? Or is it that the app tells the comwifi to do or not to that (and comwifi remembers)? I can only find a setting in the app.

I don't find my wifi routers that unreliable, but I have scanned my area and picked a clean frequency. It seems like is it possible to skip the comwifi too. See here. Or at least get the cost down to a fiver.

It's obvious that the net would be dead if the power is off. My drive is to be able to fix false alarms. If a burglar has killed the power then the alarm can ring all it wants when it detects him breaking in. If a false alarm occurs at the same time as a power cut then that's too bad. We don't often get power cuts and if we do then mostly we're at home when they happen.

 

[GalaxyGuy]

Yes, go for the ser2net based mechanism for Wintex. The Lantronix module has more functionality that just ser2net, but I'm not sure if it's running the keypad emulator, or if that's done in the panel CPU. It may be that the additional COM-IP functionality is just the Java based applets and that's as far as it goes.

I stopped developing my solution for the Texecom, as the ARC messaging was too insecure. I may look at this again, as I'm looking at a new M4 ARM CPU design where I can add proper encryption.

 

[Malc]

The website link says that wintex works ok so I'm inclined to think that comip and comwifi just package the serial bytes. Wintex has a keypad emulator and wintex just uses a serial message so I'd guess the apps do the same.

 

[unclebob1]

Im looking at a Galaxy Dimension panel - and using the work done by opengalaxy to take values into a mysql db... .from there i can read and use values for home automation, though not sure about using the pi to arm/disarm... i know honeywell do have an app to do that from the phone already..

 

[Siclark]

I have the texecom premier with the comip plugged into my router which I use for the Texecom ios app that calls out via Texecom's servers in event of alarm and sends emails and push notifications. It also allows control of the panel itself (keypad emulator) rather than just setting and unsetting so quite powerful. I also use the lan access to program the panel using Wintex on my Windows laptop.

Additionally I have a serial cable from the Premier plugged into usb on a Vera so that I can use the motion sensors in my home automation for lights etc, as well as using the Vera to automate setting the alarm, as well as triggering events based on setting and unsetting the alarm.
I wouldn't rely on wifi for any of this, either due to latency on automation, or getting plagued with lack of contact alerts whenever the Texecom loses wifi connection and the Texecom servers no longer see the panel.

 

[ey143]

Im looking at a Galaxy Dimension panel - and using the work done by opengalaxy to take values into a mysql db... .from there i can read and use values for home automation, though not sure about using the pi to arm/disarm... i know honeywell do have an app to do that from the phone already..

I'm deciding between alarm makes at the moment, Galaxy, Scantronic or Texecom. I like advanced features (not that I always understand how to program them them but love playing with them). What is the advantages of taking the values into a mysql db to read and then use in a home automation system? I am using Fibaro zwave home automation system already but plan to switch to the new Vera Plus which does zwave, zigbee and LightwaveRF.

Can anyone pls comment on which of the three manufacturers are better. I like the fact that Texecom have a nice shiny silver flush mounted key pad, but which has more features that will be better for home automation integration?

 

[Siclark]

If you are going to the Vera Plus then I suggest the Texecom Elite. I use it and you just need a serial to USB cable plugged into the Vera to see all the motion sensors and use those as triggers in your automation, as well as the state of the alarm and changes in that. ie I turn off all lights and sonos when my alarm is fully set. You can also control the alarm from the various Vera iphone apps.

However I still use the Texecom iOS app to get direct keypad access or to check logs, and setup the alarm notifications via email direct from the Texecom server. I rely on that rather than Vera for alarm activation notifications as that is a simpler process than expecting the Vera to be up and interpret the event correctly. For that I have the comip board, more reliable than wifi (and less easily jammed) but don't have any port forwarding setup. If I want remote access to the keypad I use a VPN into my router.

The remote Vera access is reasonably secure if you want remote access to the alarm functions, but the port forwarding method of the Texecom was not, hence the VPN.

 

[ey143]

Is this the Texecom Premier Elite or is Premier a different model from the Elite? Are you an accredited alarm installer by any chance?

Any chance you can send an image of your setup of your serial to USB and also the control panel size?

 

[Siclark]

The Premier Elite is different from the old Premier panels.
Will see if I have a photo, the panel is well hidden now and hard to access since I have completed the wiring but it's just a simple texecom cable to USB plugged into one of the 2 outputs. The other had the comip on it.
Am just a user, I doubt an accredited installer will let you do the custom install you want, and give you the engineers code you are likely to need.
The panel size is dependent on what one you go for, I have the metal 12 for a large battery and is big. Maybe 40/50cm by 30cm.

 

[ey143]

Just sent you a private PM. Thx.

 

[Siclark]

And for everyone reading this, keep in mind that using motion sensors from an alarm system linked to a home automation system wont work as fast as a dedicated zwave motion sensor. For instance my zwave motion sensors turn lights on in under a second, but the Texecom ones can take several seconds due to polling delays. The Vera or similar cant poll the alarm every 0.1 seconds or similar. So great for turning off lights once motion gone, not so good at turning on light quickly if room is dark and motion detected.

 

[unclebob1]

Im looking at a Galaxy Dimension panel - and using the work done by opengalaxy to take values into a mysql db... .from there i can read and use values for home automation, though not sure about using the pi to arm/disarm... i know honeywell do have an app to do that from the phone already..

I like advanced features (not that I always understand how to program them them but love playing with them). What is the advantages of taking the values into a mysql db to read and then use in a home automation system?

For me, I am looking at using multiple raspberry pi's for various lighting and heating control's with the data storage being in a mysql database.
All pi's will be able to read the common data and carry out their functions accordingly. So for example, one connected to the alarm will insert a value into the database to say alarm is armed for all zones.
The pi controlling lighting then may start a "security light" sequence - randomly turning on and off lights to make it appear as if someone is home.
The pi controlling heating will turn heating off or to a lower temperature until alarm is deactivated, at which point it will put the temperature back to its predefined target. If just downstairs is active, then assuming its night, use the night sequence for heating...

Meanwhile, say if i want to know which rooms are occupied, i can pull the data off from the PIR's to detect movement. If no movement for say 20min, turn off the light in that room (if its on!)

But that all is based on writing my own code to carry out functions i want, others may be looking for off the shelf home automation which would not work so easily with this type of setup.

 

[Siclark]

Im looking at a Galaxy Dimension panel - and using the work done by opengalaxy to take values into a mysql db... .from there i can read and use values for home automation, though not sure about using the pi to arm/disarm... i know honeywell do have an app to do that from the phone already..

I like advanced features (not that I always understand how to program them them but love playing with them). What is the advantages of taking the values into a mysql db to read and then use in a home automation system?

For me, I am looking at using multiple raspberry pi's for various lighting and heating control's with the data storage being in a mysql database.
All pi's will be able to read the common data and carry out their functions accordingly. So for example, one connected to the alarm will insert a value into the database to say alarm is armed for all zones.
The pi controlling lighting then may start a "security light" sequence - randomly turning on and off lights to make it appear as if someone is home.
The pi controlling heating will turn heating off or to a lower temperature until alarm is deactivated, at which point it will put the temperature back to its predefined target. If just downstairs is active, then assuming its night, use the night sequence for heating...

Meanwhile, say if i want to know which rooms are occupied, i can pull the data off from the PIR's to detect movement. If no movement for say 20min, turn off the light in that room (if its on!)

But that all is based on writing my own code to carry out functions i want, others may be looking for off the shelf home automation which would not work so easily with this type of setup.

You could do that and more complex logic with a Vera for not much more cost than multiple Pis and probably a lot less coding effort. When I arm the Texecom Elite the Vera sees that and turns off my heating. If I stay up past the usual programmed heating off time, the motion sees me still up and keeps the heating on until I then part arm the alarm for night time, as some simple examples of what I have.

 

[ey143]

unclebob1,
But surely it would be considerably easier to use a wireless home automation system like zwave to achieve what you did and want to do? Why would you want an alarm output to control the heating on the GF. Also does that mean you have alarm sensors in every room of the house?

I get some of what you are doing, using the alarm PIRs to double up as occupancy sensors to trigger other events but I'm struggling to understand the logic of wanting it to do other stuff other than security related.

 

[unclebob1]

@ siclark, when i started with my project there wasnt much in way of affordable zwave stuff for everything i wanted to achieve.
@ey143 same as siclark in terms of zwave, My aim is to have individual room heating controls, each room has its own schedule, and heating loop. Re Alarm sensors, there will be multiple per room, 1 pir, 1 set (depending on number of opening windows) on the windows, plus another on the door into that room.

Knowing all three i would be able to check if a window or door is open, and adjust the heating accordingly - no point having heating on if window open etc. If door is open, and the rooms around it are also open, but no heating set on them, send an alert to sort out which doors should be open/closed. The idea is no point heating a room that isnt used more then needed.

These also will act as actual burglar alarm sensors when alarm is active. Cost of a PIR is approx £20, but only two rooms in my property are not accessible so for an extra £40 i can put them in. Door contacts are £1-£2 so again not breaking the bank.

It was a solution that presented itself to me, and also allows me to code to my own logic, amend and update code to my own needs. Worse case it can easily be disabled and replaced with a normal heating system for the cost of the controller and stats (plus time to wire up - no new wiring needed, just install the controller). Lighting all has normal wall switches. And the alarm will still work as is, with zones disabled.