atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Security, Alarms and Paging Looking for used system

I don’t do alarms, but I want to buy a panel that I can program myself (Sound off alarm, trigger a relay for an externally placed strobe light and call me cell phone) If any of you have a used system please PM with cost and make/model.

~nails

Do you not presently deal with a supplier that also carries alarm panels? For the cost difference, you might as well buy new. That way you will get all the manuals as well, user, installer, and programming sheets.

Most panels have a communicator built in but it is designed to go to a central station receiver. Some will also do numeric pager format. If you carry a pager or use a cell provider that offers paging format as part of their cell service it will work. I know Nextel does because I am on the Canadian version of them (Telus - Mike Network) and I have mine set up to do it this way. It will page a 4 digit identifier code (I use the last 4 digits of my home phone number) followed by a 2 digit status code (01, 02, etc for zone alarms, I use 9X and 5X for disarming [opening] & arming [closing] -think 9 to 5, and various other numbers for hydro out, low temp, high sump water, etc.)

The other option is to add a voice dialer to a panel. Not many manufacturers offer one, I know Paradox does (it works good). USP (United Security Products) has some real good ones that can be added to any system with a listen in feature; https://www.unitedsecurity.com/autodialers.htm

Careful if you do buy a used system. Make sure you have the installer code to get into it because if you don't, and the previous guy locked it, there is no way of getting into it (defaulting it).

Personally I would stay away from a used system ,you can get a new panel and basic keypad fairly cheep. I would also avoid used panels from e-bay, I have heard a lot of them are locked out. Check with your local supplier, if they do not have any you an always find them on line, they may cost you a few bucks more though.

rusty you are better off going new lots of places for the DIYer to purchase from if you don't have a source now try https://www.smarthome.com/ or https://www.mcminone.com/

If you still want used I would suggest contacting a local alarm guy and buy from them so you can get manuals and codes

X10 makes a wireless system with a voice dialer

Okay, given what i mentioned above what make and model will do what i am requesting, if i were to buy new.

How many zones do you figure you'll need?

safemart.com is another website with a lot of security products. they include all the manuals with your order. Personally I like ademco vista products, it has an onboard relay and can be programmed for a pager. if you want it to call your cell you may need to add a voice dialer