Napco Panel, X10 Use, HA Software - HELP!
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Posted by on September 26, 2007, 9:54 am
Please log in for more thread options I also have a GEM-X10 module (which I haven't installed yet) and an always-on PC providing home automation functions. The PC will communicate X10 and Insteon (light fixtures) using a PLC right now, but will eventually support whole-house audio, phone line integration (including voice commands), HVAC tie-in, etc. All of my doors and windows are wired up to the P816 panel, which, from what I understand supports the GEM-X10 module but does a very poor job of it. The GEM-X10 module seems to appear to the panel as a group of relays, which I believe I can only "trigger" (e.g. send an X10 command to my PC) on EVENT changes. I've viewed the event log (through the serial adaptor add-on and QuickLoader software) and I only see alarm status changes (e.g, Alarm Armed, Alarm Disarmed, Alarm Activated or Deactivated). I don't see any "events" for zone status changes, such as when the front door is opened. My intent is to be able to monitor each zone to send a command to the PC to make an intelligent HA decision on what to do with it. For example, when the front door is opened, send an insteon command to turn on all the lights on the first floor. Or when a window is opened, turn off the AC unit. Or when the alarm is triggered, blink all the lights in the house (successive commands of "instant on", "instant off"). I believe there are a few ways I can fix this situation, assuming the P816 does not have the capabilities to do what I am trying to do: 1) Replace the panel with a P3200, P9600, or Elk M1G or some other type of panel. Would I need more than a P3200 to do what I am trying to do? I realize a panel like the Elk M1G can automate a lot of the current functions I am planning to do with the PC, but I don't mind having the always-on PC. I believe this would give me more options and capabilities as long as I don't mind having the PC running 24/7/365. If I did decide to change the panel, is it fairly straightforward? Could I simply "download" the configuration from the P816 through the Quickloader software and "upload" it to the P3200? I have the dealer code, but I'm not sure if configurations can be easily "ported" like this from one model to another. 2) Another option might be to somehow split (y-out) the door and windows contact terminals before they get to the P816 panel into a device such as the Smarthome EZIO 4 Input/2 Output Relay Controller (http://www.smarthome.com/31274.html). I'm not sure if this would do exactly what I am trying to do though, since I'm not that familiar with the product. Also, I don't know if I would need any additional resistors or if it's even possible to split the contacts into this second device (either in parallel or serial). Assuming I could split the contacts, are there any other devices that can send X10/Insteon or some other HA-software-compatible commands by contact status changes? Any help or suggestions you can provide are greatly appreciated! Ken | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by on September 26, 2007, 12:08 pm
Please log in for more thread options I'm just going to upgrade to the Napco Gemini P3200 panel. Does anyone know if I can have individual X-10 commands sent for each zone-trigger? For example, send an X10 command when the dining room window is opened (assuming the alarm is not set)? Would this be the "relay follows zone" function described in the manual? The manual description is as follows: Relay Control (External Relays) In addition to the three relays provided on the motherboard, up to 24 external relays (8 per RB3008 Relay Module) or X-10 devices (24 per GEM-X10 module) may be controlled from the keypad, by event or by schedule through the use of PCD3000 downloading software. Program these outputs to activate by event on PCD3000 External Relay Control screen, or by schedule on the Event Scheduler screen. Relay Follows Zone External Relays can be programmed to follow an open or shorted zone. On the PCD3000 External Relay Control screen, program the External Relay to .follow . an open zone, or to .follow. a shorted zone. Relay / X-10 Mapping It is possible to have a relay or X-10 device activate for multiple events, with a maximum of 24 events. This allows the relay or X-10 device to be activated by multiple events or conditions. This is programmed by assigning or mapping events to relay numbers. PCD3000 must be used to program Relay/X-10 mapping. Referring to the PCD3000 External Relay Control screen, the .Relay / Entry#. column typically indicates the number of the relay which will accept the commands on that line. However, the .Map. column, which is used to transfer the function defined on that line to a device on another line. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by Robert L Bass on September 26, 2007, 6:19 pm
Please log in for more thread options Yes, you can. The P9600 can send X10 commands and/or trigger programmable relays for each zone event, area events, system events, user actions and scheduled events. The schedules can be as simple as "5:15 each day" or as complex as "7:45 pm on the third Thursday of each month". BTW, in addition to scheduling rerlays and X10 commands, the P9600 can schedule auto-arm in case the client forgets to arm his system. It will do much more advanced stuff as well if you want to fool around with the software. > For example, send an X10 command when the dining room window is
> opened (assuming the alarm is not set)? Would this be the "relay > follows zone" function described in the manual? Yes, except that if the X10 (relay) is set to "Follow Zone Open" it will do so regardless if the system is armed. > Relay / X-10 Mapping. It is possible to have a relay or X-10 device
> activate for multiple events... Yes. You have 96 "code lines" available. Each line can trigger one relay (X10 output) from a single event. By repeating either a relay number or an event type in multiple lines you can control more than one relay per event or control one relay from multiple events. I've used these features with the Napco P9600 extensively over the years. Systems would arm and disarm on schedule, bypass specific zones and even power down motion and glass break detectors on schedule. This was done to accommodate the needs of Orthodox Jewish clients whose religious observance prohibits them from operating electronic equipment during certain holy days, as well as on the Sabboth (sunset Friday until sunset Saturday). I designed one system using the P9600 to allow one-way motion in a stairway at night. If someone got up at night and wanted to descend the stairs to reach the kitchen the system would bypass motion detectors until they returned. However, if someone tried to ascend the stairs while the system was armed for the night the alarm would go off immediately. Another dealer I know used X10 to control a light in the window so that the client could see that the system was armed before they drove away. > with a maximum of 24 events...
On the P9600 you have up to 96 events. That does not include time-scheduled actions. You can create up to 255 scheduled events to control lights in a pseudo-random pattern, heat up the Jaccuzzi at 6:15 each Friday, electronically lock the doors after the exit delay expires or just about anything else you might think of. > This allows the relay or X-10 device to be activated by multiple
> events or conditions. This is programmed by assigning or mapping > events to relay numbers. PCD3000 must be used to program Relay/X-10 > mapping... The new software is called "Quickloadr for Windows" (that's not a typo; Napco dropped the "e"). You can download the software from my website if you like. It's free. You'll need the Napco PCI-MINI or PCI-MINI-USB to connect your laptop or PC to the panel. If you need help programming the P9600 give me a call. I'll be glad to walk you through it. Most of the stuff is easy but there are a few items that might not be intuitive to a newbie or DIYer. -- Regards, Robert L Bass =============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-925-8650 4883 Fallcrest Circle Sarasota · Florida · 34233 http://www.bassburglaralarms.com =============================>
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Posted by Frank Olson on September 26, 2007, 9:05 pm
Please log in for more thread options Robert L Bass wrote:
>>
>> OK - Update. I decided against trying to split the contacts. I think >> I'm just going to upgrade to the Napco Gemini P3200 panel. >> >> Does anyone know if I can have individual X-10 commands sent for each >> zone-trigger? >
> Yes, you can. The P9600 can send ... <snip> Read the OP's response before you "jump in" with information on
a panel he isn't even installing... Sheesh... What a maroon!
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Posted by on September 26, 2007, 9:14 pm
Please log in for more thread options Thanks Robert.
Do you know if your statements apply to the P3200 panel as well? It's about 25% of the price of the 9600 panel, so if it can accomplish my requirements, I'd rather spend the extra money on light switches. :) Also, do you know if the Quickloadr software will allow me to upload the config from my P816 to my PC and then simply download it to the P3200 (or P9600)? Does the Quickloadr software take care of any conversion necessary? The reason I ask is because I have my P816 monitored by an alarm company that configured and supports the P816. If I can port all of the settings over to the P3200 without their support, I don't see why they would have a problem with me changing the panel. Thanks, Ken | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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> OK - Update. I decided against trying to split the contacts. I
> think I'm just going to upgrade to the Napco Gemini P3200 panel.
>
> Does anyone know if I can have individual X-10 commands sent for
> each zone-trigger?