New system specification - help !

[muddymickey]

Hi all

I\'m in the latter stages of a selfbuild project, and am about to spec & order my alarm system for a DIY install.
I\'d been on the verge of buying a Texecom-based kit, then I stumbled across Comfort...

However, I\'ve one or two basic question I hope someone can help me with:

Firstly, a shopping list.
Would the following basic setup provide me with a system that I can hook 8 PIR sensors into, program from my laptop, dial-out to various phones when there is an alarm, and dial into by phone to change settings:
1 x Control Panel CP9000-ULT/EN03
2 x White LCD keypads KP04-WH
1 x UCM module CM05
1 x 12v/7Ah battery
1 x Bellbox
8 x PIRs

(I\'m aware this would be a very basic comfort setup, but initially I\'m trying to keep the cost low.)

Secondly, how would I connect my laptop to the unit. Is there a USB interface ? What cable would I need to use and is one supplied ?

Thirdly, are there any particular makes of PIR sensor that I need to use, or any recommendations ?

Finally, anything I need to be aware of when selecting a bellbox/strobe unit ?

Many thanks
Lee

[admin]

I think you have made the right choice

The new UCM/USB (see http://www.comfortforums.com/view_topic.php?id=1436&forum_id=4 ) allows you to connect to the computer using USB. The cable is supplied

Other versions of UCM include the UCM/Ethernet
Use the Comfigurator software ( see http://www.comfortforums.com/view_topic.php?id=1389&forum_id=20 ) to  program Comfort via the UCM

You should not depend completely on PIRs to detect intrusion. These should be the second line of defence as by the time these can work, the intruder is inside your house. You should use magnetic contacts for the external doors and windows
You should have the entry door or doors on magnetic contacts because you need to exit through the door to complete the setting or arming of the system. When you return home, opening the door causes the entry alert.

There is nothing special about the PIRs needed for Comfort. All PIRs used in alarm systems are powered from 12V and supply an open/close contact to the alarm

Also any  bellbox meant for burglar alarms can be used for Comfort. This shouldl normally  include a self actuating module which causes it to sound when the power is cut.

The list of UK distributors (assuming that you are in the UK) can be found at http://www.cytech-europe.co.uk/cms/installers.php#AA

[muddymickey]

[user=606]admin[/user] wrote:

I think you have made the right choice

You would say that

Thanks for the advice.

The problem I have is that when I did the first-fix wiring, I got advice from a local alarm company regarding what alarm cables to run, and they advised running cables to various PIR positions, which I have done, but there  no cables to any doors or windows. They are no longer in business....

To do that, I\'d need to use wireless devices....is there a way to add wireless sensors to Comfort ?

I don\'t have the budget to add wireless sensors to every door/window (there are lots of windows...) - I\'m already finding the basic system cost a bit of a stretch - at the most I think I\'d put a sensor on each of the 3 doors, plus one particularly vulnerable window.

[admin]

Visonic have wireless door/window transmitters see http://www.visonic.com/VisonicHomePage.n...P?OpenForm and wireless receivers that connect to a Comfort input

The advice from your former alarm company was not terribly good, it has cost you money

[muddymickey]

Thanks for the Visonic info.

If I use one Visonic receiver and four wireless sensors, would Comfort be able to tell which of the 4 sensors were operated, or do they all get treated as one sensor by Comfort ?

Cheers
Lee

[admin]

Lee
You need to use a 4 channel wireless receiver with 4 transmitters
The 4 channels will connect to 4 zones or inputs in comfort so it can tell which door or window was open

[muddymickey]

Thanks for your help !

Looks like I need a zone expansion card as well then.

[admin]

Yes, if you have more than 8 zones then an LEM01-M2 with 8 inputs and 8 outputs will be needed

[muddymickey]

Just a bit of feedback in case it helps anyone else doing this in the future...

Today I have wired up my Visonic MCR-308 receiver to Comfort, fitted the first wireless door contact (a Visonic MCT-302T) to my main door, and paired them.
The zone output from the MCR-308 is configured to be N/C and connects to a Comfort zone input configured not to use EOL.

Haven\'t done any programming of Comfort yet, but have wired this contact to Zone 1, and when in security test mode it announces the opening of the door just perfectly, so all is looking good

Three more wireless contacts and 8 PIRs to go !

[ident]

From what I remember these wireless transmitters do not report door closed. Did you try to arm to Away Mode, then open and close the contact
Comfort looks for the closing of the contact to complete arming to Away