X10 Community Forum
🛡Home Security => Home Security General => Topic started by: pe on March 12, 2005, 11:01:59 PM
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Hello, everyone. I recently purchased a
Protector Plus alarm system that came with
two Powerhorn Sirens, model SH10A.
I hooked up the alarm system and tripped the
alarm to hear what the built-in "siren"
sounds like. I was expecting a real siren
noise like the ones found in ADT and Brinks
alarm systems... you know, the sound of what
anyone would think of when they asked to
imagine the sound of an alarm siren. Instead,
the console emits what sounds like a
monophonic Nokia cell phone ring tone! (OMG
LOL! Does anyone else feel this way?)
I then decided to try out the Powerhorn. I
plugged in into an outlet and tripped the
alarm. First the console rang, then the
Powerhorn went off. Again, I was shocked.
Yes, I'd have to admit, the compact Powerhorn
was pretty ear piercing... however, I was
disappointed with the sound. For those who
are curious what the Powerhorn siren: it
almost sounds like a super-loud cricket doing
its night-time cricket sounds louder and
faster than normal (continously - no pause).
I'm considering on purchasing the larger
Powerhorn siren (the 110 db one). But before
doing so, I'd like to know if it sounds
pretty much the same. Does anyone know if it
sounds the same? Also, does anyone know if I
can somehow connect a 3rd party siren like
this one
(http://homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=495)
? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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My PH508 Powerhorn. Does NOT sound like a
siren. When tripped it emits a very loud
tone the pitch shifts from higher to lower
as the on or off command shifts it between
the tone frequencies.
Don't know about that seiern, but if it can
be triggered by a switch closing. Maybe a
UM506 Universal Dry Contact Module could do
something for you. It opens and closes from
an X10 signal just like a lamp or appliance
module does.
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The power horn does not sound like ADT but
it is very loud and would get the attention
of the neighhood if installed outdoors
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I just received & installed my system. I
ordered 3 x PH508 (the 110dB ones). I put 2
inside (so the intruder doesn't zero in on
the main console and destroy it) and
one "outside" in the soffit of the house.
Frankly I am very disappointed in the type
of sound it emits. I have to agree with
PE. If the alarm went off, any of my
neighbours who heard it wouldn't know what
the heck the noise was or what it signified.
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Yeah, the sound is stupid. If anyone heard
it, they'd probably ignore it. I don't know
what kind of crap they are trying to sell.
Yes I agree it's loud, but, heck, i'm
wondering if the person breaking in would
even realize that they've tripped an alarm
system.
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Did any of you ever consider inviting your
neighbors over to show them what your alarm
system sounds like? Or, is that too
obvious?
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I did consider it but felt it was a little
presumptuous to expect my neighbours to
check my place out if & when the alarm goes
off. It might be interpreted as "You're too
cheap to pay for a monitoring service but
you want me to put myself in potential
danger when your alarm goes off?"
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The fact that it is an unusual sound may
actually get more attention from your
neighbors than if it made the common alarm
sound. Guys ...think outside the box
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Does sound like a cricket on speed pills!
Triggered my new one this afternoon.
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My wife and I agree that the sound is far
too weak. Does anyone know of another
option besides the $129 outdoor siren?
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I don't think this was covered in the
instructions. I found with my SH10A that if
I send about 3 or 4 ON commands rapidly to
the horns address. It locks ON for about 4
minutes or untill I send a few OFFs in a
row. The normal ON OFF cycle it uses sets it
off and then it stops about 4 seconds after
the cycle stops.
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Has anyone tried to hood up a relay to the
wires on the powerhorn? Seems like a small
relay would work. Does anyone have an idea
of the voltage on the wires, and is it ac
or dc going to the siren?
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The PH508 has a place on the PC Board for a
realy and all the parts needed to drive it.
If you have a PH508 look at the back and you
will see a place covered by tape for a set
of contacts that extend from the back of the
case. I am hoping to check this out shortly.
Information on this is on the PIGS
Electronics web site in the Technical area
www.pigselectronics.com
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Hoping to tinker with boat a PH508 and a
SH10A over the long weekend. Hope to have
some data then.
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I am wondering if I can modify a SH10A
powerhorn to trigger an external horn. I
am considering doing this to alert my
neighbors of an intrusion. I am wondering
why I could not just connect a relay to the
horn wires that would allow the use of an
external horn with its own power supply. I
am thinking of hooking the two power horn
wires of the to the coil terminals of a
relay such as the RS #275-240.The horn
wires would go to the normally open
terminals of the relay. I could then use an
external siren powered by its own 12 volt
system. The principal seems right, but I
have limited electrical background so will
it work? This way the external siren would
stop after the 4 min period. Any
suggestions. Thanks in advance.
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May have time today or tomorrow to play with
the SH10A. Will see what I can find out.
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Some findings. The unit uses a Pizo Sounder
for making the sounds. It is a high
impeadance device that is driven by a high
voltage at very little current. I measured
about 25 to 30 Volts AC on the sounder when
sounding. My meter may not be totally
correct as it was probably a square wave. A
scope maybe a later test. It is driven by an
Autotransformer that has a common primary
and secondary connection. I don't think the
relay you are looking at will do anything as
it is a 5 volt one that take 90 Ma on the
coil. I may find something eles that can be
used. Also on a safety note. The module has
a line powered type power supply. The AC
Line [hot] lead is the common run on the
modules board. So care would be needed to
completely insulate anything exiting the
box. I maybe able to find a small SSR that
will fit inside it.
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Oh one more point. The big brother PH508 has
a power transformer that isolates most of
the module from the power line and has an
unstuffed area on the main board for a relay
and the components needed to drive it. Even
on the back of the case you will see a
covered place where the output screws would
be.
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Sounds like we need to stay with the PH508
unit. I will await your suggestions on
hooking one up regarding a relay system. I
am amazed that the company has not put one
togather. The system initally appears to be
a good one otherwise.Thanks for the advice.
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If you have not looked at PIGS Electronics
Tech-Tips they have a tip on adding the
relay to the PH508. I have not investagated
the voltage for the relay or one that may
fit the hole pattern yet.
www.pigselectronics.com
I may have a way to remove the transducer
and transformer in the SH10A and replace it
with a relay. This is just an unproven
theory so far.
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Yes, i checked out the Pigs site. It seems
like a lot to add insidde the box, but I
guess it will work. Is the output at 30
volts or does it mean the relay will handle
that much. Also, it does not specify the
relay needed.I await your opinion or the
opinions of the other forum members as to
which unit to convert and the best way to
do it.
Thanks again
brian
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I have looked at a few catalogs and found
notheing that exactly fits the hole pattern
and matches the pinouts for the coil and
contacts. The PH508 is an odd ball the relay
is driven from the +28 and -15 volt supply.
Total voltage across the coil is about 43
volts and R30 is in series with it. That is
most likely why it has to be a 1/2W. I have
found a few that I maybe able to patch in
and maybe one that I can substitute for the
sounder in the SH10A.
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I checked on another formu site. They have
a Universal Module #UM506 which can do the
activation, but not sure if it resets
itself?
Any thoughts as to this idea.
Thanks
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In the X10 Support Area Manuals Section you
can find the UM506 Manual.
It can be set to turn on when it receives an
ON command on the House-Unit Code it is set
to and OFF when the off command is sent. If
the Security Light Code is the one set on
the UM506 it will turn ON and OFF as the
security light flash. Not exactly what you
wanted and if memory serves me when you arm
away it turns On the Light for a minute as
would the external siren.
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Well I ordered some parts from my web
electronics place. I will let you know if I
find anything out. I hope that the low
current mini relay I am trying will activate
from the pulsing DC on the SH10A's
transducer. Also have some parts to try in
the PH508 for that route. I guess you could
use the UM506 to trigger a timer that would
not pulse on and off woth the security
lights unless pulsing the external siren is
acceptable. The arm away I think may still
be a problem.
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Just checked my signal printouts from an X10
signal monitor. The DS7000 sends out an All
Lights ON and All Units OFF when triggered.
I don't think the UM506 responds to those
two X10 signals.
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How about a Lamp Module with a 120 VAC relay
pluged into it? Set to the House Code but
not the unit code. The All Lights ON and All
Units OFF when triggered will pulse the
relay. Only thing maybe the relay didn't
draw enough current for the triac to turn on
and a 25 watt light bulb may also be needed
with the relay.
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Tested a UM506 and it responds to On and OFF
commands on the House/Unit code it is set to.
Also the All Units OFF for the House Code it
is set to. Does not respond to an All Lights
ON or All Lights OFF command for the House
Code it is set to. Since the DS7000 sends a
All Lights ON and All Units OFF when
triggered The UM506 will not respond to that.
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Parts arrived tests to follow.
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Brian H:
Any conclusions on the hookup of an
external siren to the powerhorn units. I
remember you were experimenting with some
additional relays, ect. We are awaiting
break thru news.
Thanks
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Was trying to get a RS 49-1000 security
console siren going. X10 Powerhorns are
next. Though made by X10 the RS units are
not 100% and powerhorns don't work.