Texecon Premier Elite Home Install

[LAURENCE WILKINS]

Hello everyone, NOOB here. I have had a quick look around the site and elsewhere on the interweb, but couldn't really get a clear answer to my question. This seems like an active forum for Texecon installs, so here goes!

I am a retired engineer. I have an active hobby in electronics, and am a perfectly competent DIYer. I am looking to replace my existing 20 year old house alarm system, which has started to get a bit cranky.

I am drawn to the Texecon Premier Elite system and peripherals. In particular, I want my replacement alarm system to have a degree of remote connectivity. I realise that this wont be the cheapest or easiest installation, but I am up for it. AS LONG AS the information and services that I need is available to the general, competent buyer, and not "trade only".

So, here is my question. Can I buy probably a premier Elite 24 or 64W (most of my system will be wired, but with some new wireless sensors), connect it to a SMARTCOM box, and then have basic control of the system from a mobile app, without getting into £££ subscription services? I do not need comprehensive remote configuration and diagnostics, just end-user set/clear and alarm trigger notifications.

I dropped the same question to Texecon, they were a little evasive, and I completely get that they don't want to support amateurs who don't know what they're doing.

So - Is a basic remote control service available to DIYer and free, or subscription only?

 

[secureiam]

I have no idea on what you have or haven't been advised.
Last i heard users had access to the Texecom Cloud which is required for you to set up Texecom cconnect as for support there is a fair bit available but replies will come when people are available

 

[secureiam]

However, I was looking at a system remotely today and video chat, that’s been in 9 years. Now given the tests I performed I was able to tell that it’s current state is a “bloody mess” now it works to a degree, but siren, internal sounder incorrectly wired, poor use of panels capabilities, the list goes on with more serious concerns and will need to do a site visit once I am no longer self isolating to work out what can be salvaged/ scrapped.

The best advice is go hardwired first and wireless if hardwired isn’t possible.
The next bit advice is get the right component parts, ie expanders, keypads sensors, PSU. Wireless avoid metal in accordance with the manuals, ideally getting wireless expanders/panels in a central location can be beneficial.

so the first thing is to work out what sensors you want to protect your home.
Ask if your unsure, but there are many threads on here on options for sensors. The always better to allow for expansion so a 24 might get everything you want now, but are you adding an annex, sheds etc can you still get it done without having to upgrade the panel etc

if your going for Texecom look at Capture devices for PIRs as the others are being discontinued, mainly due to parts issues according to the bulletin from Texecom they are pretty easy to use.

Then you can consider programming, if the above isn’t taken care of programming might not get you out of the hole your in. Most of the engineers on here are more than capable of getting you out of a hole.

Oh and welcome

 

[LAURENCE WILKINS]

Thanks for your feedback, SecureIAm. Yes, I trust reliable wires over unreliable wireless, where there is the option! Good to know about the future for the "Capture" range of sensors. I also intend to go for "dual-strike" (IR+radar) sensors, though I haven't had many false triggers from my old IR-only sensors until now.

Oh, and thank you

 

[secureiam]

Hit thanks or like against a post.

it isn’t wireless is unreliable it just has some things other things to think about, but battery consumption is something that many don’t think about with wireless.

the capture D20 have microwave and if, the microwave will see through brick, and minimum range appears to be around 5m from sensor, k band should reduce possible interference between units, also anticloak available.

 

[RobTi]

Hi I was in the same position last year or so, I went with the elite 24 as it’s just a small 2 bed flat, hard wired everything back to where I wanted the panel and slowly connected it all up and now use the smartcom and iPhone app all the time, I also had a lot of help from @secureiam, my only advice is download the manual and read it thoroughly

 

[LAURENCE WILKINS]

That's good to hear, Rob, thanks! Yes, SecureIam has put me on the right path. I've signed up on the Texecom's website - it didn't seem too bothered about accepting me as an unverified installer! So I've got a copy of said manual and yes, there's a lot of reading, there! My concern was whether any of the information or services were behind some sort of "professionals only" paywall, but as long as the information is available (looks like it is), I should have no difficulty installing it.