Tying in GEM-X10 into Napco Gemini 816 Alarm System Controller

Sir,

The P816 does not support the GEM-X10 module. You'll need either a P1632, P3200 or P9600 control panel to do X10. Also, if you want to do more than very basic (lights on alarm, for example) automation, the preferred panel is the P9600.

As Robert points out, the [greatly] preferred Napco controller for Home Automation is the 9600. Not too that incorporating a Napco 9600 in a overall HA system with other HA subsystems typically requires using a PC running HA software 24x7 which may not be what you want.

Nine years ago I started the HA system in my house around an existing Napco security system by upgrading an older, simpler Napco panel to a model 9600. This was similar to your current status. In retrospect, the decision to retain the existing contractor and monitoring company was a good one.

If I had it to do today, I might have reused the wiring and sensor infrastructure and installed an Elk M1G panel

or Omni Pro or Stargate self-contained HA controller instead. (I now have both Napco 9600 and an Elk M1G -- a Belt-and-Suspenders approach, as it were).

Consider re-evaluating what you have installed that is of value given your objectives. It may be that Napco is not the best route and that you are early enough in your HA planning that you can easily and cost-effectively change trajectories. This depends in large part on what you want to do and whether having a PC with software (eg

) running 24 x7 is in your plans.

Depending on how extensive the security wiring and sensors you have are, most of the value may be in the wiring (=labor) and sensors rather than the panel itself.

1) What specifically did your contractor install in the way of wiring and sensors? 2) Do you have a contract with the monitoring company that limits your options? 3) What other security panels does the monitoring provider support (assuming your high comfort level with them) ?

... Marc Marc_F_Hult

You can also do that with a powerflash module (which I would use with an XTB for reliability). I'd be reluctant to directly interface a home automation system involving X-10 with monitored alarm system even with the XTB just because it's X-10.

The X10 Powerflash Interface allows almost anything to send X10 signals. All you need to do is input the siren output through suitable resistance (and perhaps some other modifications) or get access to the contact closures for the system and you can do a lot with a little. Here's the blurb from Smarthome:

That gives you a lot of light flashing options for very little cost (Price:$26.99 + shipping, probably cheaper on Ebay). If you want to make sure every single light flashes, add an XTB.

-- Bobby G.

running 24 x7 is in your

Marc,

Thanks for the complete response and for your thoughts - I certainly appreciate your insight.

My concerns mostly relate to having a 5-year contract with Slomin's for alarm monitoring. Were you in this situation when you changed out your panel? I'm a bit unsure as to what might unravel if I swap this panel in terms of the alarm monitoring.

I have a wired/wireless system with window contacts and glass break sensors everywhere. All entry doors (3) are alarmed similarly, and I have two keypads. I also have two fire sensors tied in. Right now I only have an internal siren, but I plan to hook up an external one as well (I believe that part should be pretty easy, even given the fact that I have the GEM-P816 panel right now).

The contract is written such that it is pretty binding - to the order that "customer cannot touch any of the equipment installed". I don't know how firm these contracts are though, given that I wouldn't be calling them for "tech support" on a new panel (which is what I'm sure they want to avoid). I'm sure they also want to continue receiving their $30 or so a month monitoring fee for 5 years).

I do plan to have a 24x7 monitoring system running (I already have other servers running 24x7 for other purposes). That's definitely in the plan.

I guess what I want to do right now is start making investments that I won't need to throw away, even if I am limited for the first 5 years due to my contract. My current thoughts and questions in my head are:

1) If I get the GEM-X10 module, would I not need this if I upgrade the panel in the future to one of the ones you mentioned? Would I need an "installers code" to install and/or configure this module? 2) I think there is a serial connection I can get to connect from my computer into the GEM-P816 to grab some intelligence, even if it's not automated. If I can grab a log, I'm hoping I can easily interpret when various zones were open and closed, when codes were typed in, etc. If this has to be a manual process with my unit, I'm OK with that, provided my investment is not that great to grab this stuff. I know Slomins can connect in to grab this information remotely, so I think I should be able to grab it locally if I have the right equipment.

Thanks in advance for your help. Ken

Your situation is parallel to my own experience. Because I wanted to retain the installer (he knew the system intimately) and monitoring (even though I had no contract) I had him swap out the existing Napco panel for a Napco

9600 that I bought from Robert and which can communicate with HA software.

This is the best of both worlds. You keep an entirely conventional security system that can be maintained by a specialist but you can hook into the system for HA control purposes using (eg) HomeSeer

using a PC running 24x7.

There are some limitations as to what you can control on the Napco from the PC. For example, the software that I used previously (CyberHouse) purposely did not allow disarming the system from the PC (although there was a work-around).

Your challenge would/will be to see if your installer will swap the Napco GEM-P816 for a 9600 and GEM-RS232 Kit (there was an upgrade to the RS-232 options. I trust that Robert will correct me if I'm out-of-date). This should/will not affect in any way your contractors ability to monitor and maintain the system, even over the phone line because that is a connection separate from the RS-232.

You would then use (eg) HomeSeer to control lighting -- via X-10 if that is your choice of lighting control protocol. But using a PC will give you many other newer and better options for lighting (Lutron Radio RA, INSTEON, Z-Wave, UPB, Centralite, etc) as well as other subsystems such as audio, voice command, video, IR commands, and so on.

I have the same sort of arrangement with thermostats using Aprilaire (was Enerzone) 8870 communicating thermostats that control the boiler, furnace, heat pump, and two air handlers with AC units. The HVAC guys can regard the thermostats as conventional, but I can change operation and setpoints and obtain status via my PC running HomeSeer or CQS

.

I've described this PCentric approach as a 'federated system' in which each subsystem has conventional standalone capability and can be can installed and serviced by the respective trades (HVAC, Security, Lighting etc) but can also be controlled by a PC over which I have complete and exclusive secure control locally and over the net. I have such a system since 1999.

HTH ... Marc Marc_F_Hult