X10 Community Forum
🛡Home Security => Home Security General => Topic started by: rhea on July 20, 2011, 06:50:10 PM
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If one counts $ that have been spent for this system, it's usefulness, the problems it gives to it's owners ...? does it make sense to choose it as one's home's security system to be fully confident it is going to respond in time to save ones property? To me it starts to look like a piece os hard& software that has been created to create a fan army that spends countless hours to improve, to fix, etc
So far I have spent lot of my time to make it(SC12A) to work...... amazingly, it performed excellently last week(ALL WEEK)... I did not have to reset any of my door sensors, same goes for the motion sensors.... I did not change neither the consol's position,... in short... I did not do anything to it...Perfect(maybe, it SC12A, sensed I was making plans to go and buy a new system from china(GSM) plus
s all possible sensors .... xaxa till it ,SC12A, gave in again... making noise, not registering open/closed doors, loosing connection to door/window sensors on it's own.....To my understanding, if it works perfect for a week... it should continue same ......
Looks it's a JOKE, ONE CANNOT DEPEND ON.....Security is a serious thing, so the equipment should meet the requirements....
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Oh give me a break. X10 has sold Americas most popular DIY home alarm for many years. OK... so it took you some time to learn to set it up. Apparently home electronics isn't your favorite thing. But the X10 alarm does work.... as advertised.
But here's the real problem. Maybe in the process you learned something. Maybe you learned that alarms won't actually prevent a break-in. All ANY alarm can ever do is alert the home owner.
The real cost and effort in securing a home isn't the alarm it's the solid doors, windows and locks. Then the outside lighting and cleared landscaping, and maybe a few monitoring cameras.
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All ANY alarm can ever do is alert the home owner.
Or scare away and intruder.
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The Security Three Step.
Step 1 - Stop them getting in.
Step 2 - Make yourself look like a difficult target.
Step 3 - Make lots of noise if your neighbor is doing a better job than you are of steps 1 and 2.
I fully realise that this is a muchly simplified guide, but it's free advice and worth much more than you paid for it :)
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Or scare away and intruder.
You mean scare an intruder away after they have broken in. Well... obviously at that point it is a tad late to prevent a break-in. The idea of an alarm scaring away the intruder is real... and a valid point. Meanwhile considerable damage can be done by an intruder by just forcing access. I am all for doing everything possible to prevent an intrusion.
I use a "Voice Warning System (http://www.youtube.com/suitmanIM#p/u/14/tkAwQ4KXkHA)" triggered by a floodlight (as seen in the YouTube Video at the link) with a voice for my BVC (http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) setup. I use a setup that allows me to use this feature during the day and/or night. Of course I also use cameras in my setup. Emailing images is a great way remotely monitor a home.
If an alarm will scare away an intruder... why not scare (or warn) the intruder away before he kicks down your door?
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Isn't that what the RoboDog was supposed to do?
You could set it up with a motion sensor to activate it.
I suppose you could use a computer to play the sound effect of a dog barking, triggered by the same motion sensor.
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Well, looks , somebody here does not get the point.... it's understood that IT does not make a perfect protection... yes, cameras and powerfull outside horns and "jazz like that" is helpful, as x10 as such does not connect to a service station..... The point here is THAT THE SYSTEM should function , like , if You buy a battery, it should work..... then what is the sense in it all...... you don't buy a car to adjust the wheel, headlights or replace them etc.... I should get what i pay for which is not the case with x10 SC12A..... one gets tired running around the house with console and reinstall the sensors, and , if someone gets this system to work within 10-15 ft radius, then what house is it then???? You people are really patient and inventive... the only thing that it does .. it turns on my lights.... Hopefully, somebody here helps me to get rid of that ugly sound SC12A makes as it responds to alarm set/ disarm and door-window opening...
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I take it. The power supply cycle, suggested in your other thread. Did not work.
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Nighttime makes wonders..... SC12A back to normal... ALL by itself....IS IT NORMAL???
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Is this normal?
Gee I hope not.
I believe we have had one or more reports of strange actions and sounds. That mysteriously corrected themselves.
I have had it happen one time and I am not sure if it corrected itself or my fiddling with the keys corrected it.
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Nighttime makes wonders..... SC12A back to normal... ALL by itself....IS IT NORMAL???
$0.02
Have you searched for "SC12" and read the threads? I see a number of users with similar problems with some "fixes".
1. Exchange the unit....several "strange behavior" threads ended with the poster exchanging the unit. When the thread dead ends it usually means (at least to me) that the problem got fixed.
2. If you have DS12A window sensors, they seem to be extremely critical of magnet positioning. Also you might try another (larger if possible) magnet, on your most problem zone, just as a test. You can get a "door alarm" with magnet for around 4 bucks at Harbor Freight, or surplus. http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/MS-14/STANDARD-MAGNETIC-PROXIMITY-SWITCH/1.html
3. Read some of the discussions of SC1200 range, internal antenna, and power cord positioning. Experiment.
4. Others have SC1200 systems working fine. Based on that, you may have a bad console, conditions or structure that cause range problems, unusual interference, hidden installation problems, etc.
5. If you continue with problems, send it back. It is useless if you do not have confidence in it.
And you are probably saying "I shouldn't have to do all this!" true, but X10 markets "value oriented products" to the "value oriented customer". They market the least expensive camaer systems, home automation products, and security systems you can find. Whether we are talking surveillance, home automation, or security, X10 products many times needs some "massaging". This forum is full of posts for antenna mods, repeater and filter recommendations, video camera mods for RF range, light sensitivity, even pan and tilt range, etc. etc. etc.
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I was looking at other brands too (for example: http://www.amazon.com/AAS-600-Wireless-Security-System/dp/B002JFG3BY/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1311259526&sr=1-2 and you can find something similar/same on ebay for less money) and wonder if I made the right choice. The purchased the X10 for "value" and hack-ability but maybe I should have spent a little more money for something else.
I've had SC1200 for 3 months now. The THIRD console has been rock solid for the past two months.... The I had to RMA the sc12a twice. The first unit would not recognize the dial tones commands after answering my call AND would make the noise you described. The 2nd unit, worked perfectly BUT made the funny noise every other week. You play games to reset the noise problem. During installation I spent countless hours playing with DS10A range issues (positioning and stupid passive antennas) and give up installing the last 7 door sensors (originally planned for 20 sensors for one story 2000 sq ft house). I would have paid for rf range extender but found out they no longer make it.
I do like the ability for my setup to send email/text message on alarm alert (via my how brew c# windows service/SDK/cm15a). Unfortunately, I had to write the software myself to get it going last month before vacation. Recently its not working because it can't recognize the powerline commands from the SC12A but I'm guessing powerline transmission issues. Why now after 2 months? It seems I'm always tweaking the X10 products to get it to work "right" I'm getting weary from all the tweaking I have done.
FYI, during the noise problem state... my particular sc12a will trigger on alarm condition, however will not be able to dial out to notify (I've done this test several times)
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I've had SC1200 for 3 months now. The THIRD console has been rock solid for the past two months.... The I had to RMA the sc12a twice.
[Steps up on to soap box to speak unconstructive critisizm]
Yeah, well my theory for a long time has been that X10 simply moved their final quality inspection process out to the consumer.
It seems like everytime they have to build something they have not built in a while, they forget the recipe (which IMO shouldn't happen if there was good documentation and build procedures), and the end of line inspector is obviously comatose. Hence, we the consumers get to play final QA/QC and cull out all garbage. We hardly ever see rashes of bad Appliance Modules, Lamp Modules, Wall Switches, etc. Perhaps because X10 sells enough of these to probably have to build continuously, so they never forget the formula. That said; X10 is still the best deal around, if you are willing to do some troubleshooting.
[steps down off box and goes back to sleep]
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Thanx for so great response... at least it makes one feel better(!) in a crowd with similar probs. As funny as it is, the door sensor that is at the most distance (around 50 ft) DOES NOT bother me... the one on my back exit door in the kitchen are and main entrance doo usually registers as "problem zones. the new "smart" motion detectors during all the time I have had the system9$months) have never given me ANY trouble(MS18A), the old ones that are further away in the basement (appr. 35ft )away go "astray" on regular basis looks a signal amp might solve all my problems? REPEATER!!!!!!!!!!!! Going to add some copper wires to my most distant door/window sensors lets see....
Those that have no some deeper knowledge or experience in home electronics( I mean, real stuff like understanding circuitry and the basics how it all works , like myself, ) all this is kinda frustrating......OK let's experiment
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Dave... great comment! Applause!!!!!!!! >! :)% :)% :)% :)%
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go "astray" on regular basis looks a signal amp might solve all my problems? REPEATER!!!!!!!!!!!! Going to add some copper wires to my most distant door/window sensors lets see....
Unfortunately no one makes a RF repeater for X10.
I do think you may have some fringe range problems. But are the two problem sensors DS12? If so I would "fiddle" with the magnets. As far as strange sounds from the console, that was one of the complaints that apeared to be resloved when X10 exchanged the unit. If you have not exchanged the console, I would try hard for that.
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Somebody was sleeping when they generated the model number.
SC1200A is on the manuals, sales pages and the box mine came in.
SC12A is on the consoles label and in OnAlert in AHP.
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Isn't that what the RoboDog was supposed to do?
No. Robodog just made barking sounds.
I suppose you could use a computer to play the sound effect of a dog barking, triggered by the same motion sensor.
Another member here recreated robodog using an MP3 player and a set of computer speakers plugged into an appliance module. Look here: RCaddict's DIY robodog setup (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=13211.msg73744#msg73744). Any voice warning could also be configured using the DIY robodog.
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Somebody was sleeping when they generated the model number.
SC1200A is on the manuals, sales pages and the box mine came in.
SC12A is on the consoles label and in OnAlert in AHP.
Maybe SC1200A is model number for the "system" with sensors, but the console itself is SC12A? Kinda like the difference between model numbers and "kit" numbers at "mother M".
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Could be the SC1200 was the kit, but both X10 and Smarthome sell the console alone as a SC1200. :'
http://www.smarthome.com/82136/X10-SC1200-SecuriLINK-Home-Security-Console/p.aspx
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Uhh, nothing gets better same day as I added those passive wires, same basement motion detectors and a door sensor in basement reported error.... routine followed... console in hand and reinstalling the "bad' spots anew.....
Signal repeaters.... any 3rd party available?
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The X10 one was reported to be a problem with messages.
That maybe why they where discontinued.
You had to move the console to get the problem sensors to register?
If that is what you did. Most likely the trouble zones will come back.
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Signal repeaters.... any 3rd party available?
No, there are no 3rd party RF repeaters.
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rhea, looks like "game over" for the moment. In my situation I considered the following: placing the door sensors where the RF is reachable and extending the magnetic switch wires thru the attic to other side of the house, use AHP/PC/CM15A as repeater with lots programming, use the two AHP/PC/CM15A with another security console and lots programming However, I do not want ALL my waking hours consumed by X10 projects. :D
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I've had my SC1200 for 1.5 months now and it's worked fine straight out of the box on the first time. It has triggered three times all were valid.
1) I came home and opened the door forgetting I had the system armed (2nd day of having it)
2) I was at home and had set the armed away instead armed home from my bedroom. Came down during the night to get some milk and tripped the hallway motion sensor. :o
3) Testing the system for the fire alarm mod I did (see below for more)
--KNOCK ON WOOD-- that it stays like that.
I have a small 1200 sqft multi-level house so not sure if that helps with the range issues some of you are having that I am not. I have a mix of DS10A and DS12A for the doors and windows in the house. In addition I have added several fire alarm mod sensors (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=24104.msg136422#msg136422) as well and my system has worked like it should.
BTW I am using a cellphone for my "landline" as oppose to a real land line.
I use something called the xlink to get my spare cellphone to act like a land line.
Here is a review and "how to" (http://ingunowners.com/forums/ingo_real_world_reviews/155611-review_xtreme_technologies_xlink_bt_bluetooth_gateway_black.html) of the product.
About the only issue I had at the beginning was getting the power horns to work but that was me mis-reading the directions (the info that came with them is incorrect) but got help on these forums that they now work. I still don't think they are loud enough and have been looking at making either a custom horn to add to the system or just getting an old cassette tape radio leaving it "on" to play a cassette with an "alarm noise" and plugging it to an appliance module that is setup to the same code as the lights and when the alarm triggers it would also play. ;D
Need to test that theory a bit more but other than that no complains.
Now with that said this alarm (x10) or any alarm for that matter is not the be all end all for home security.
Home security is about layers of defense. In particular order:
- alarm system
- lighting for the perimeter of your house
- securing doors and windows
- a safe for your valuables bolted to the floor
- homeowners insurance
- adding torn bushes to obstruct window on 1st floor with ease asses
- adding security film to glass (windows/doors) (ie. 3M security film)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYdVK3BqPfk&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lFCbjV7NgQ&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HczmrOj0HY&feature=player_embedded
- get a big dog
- reinforce the door (http://www.doorsecuritypro.com/index.html) so it's harder to kick in
Thieves consider this when targeting a home/biz.
VISUAL -
does it look like an easy target?
does it look 'messy' in the yard, if so then neighbors may not notice any disarray the criminals cause.
are there 'alarm company' stickers on doors/windows?
can they see cameras or other things that will cause them to be identified?
PHYSICAL -
are the security layers real or fake? Generic stickers or security stickers that are not from a known security company?
are their thorn bushes or decorative plants under the windows?
is the deadbolt cheap or a quality unit?
do the doors look solid?
are the windows accessible or raised?
They want an easy target they can do a quick smash and grab. If your house looks like too much trouble guess what? They are going to go elsewhere.
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jediagh precautions is sensible and I am in 100% agreement.
I just want to add that our neighborhood police officer urged us to get an alarm system to scare away any burglers as the most effective thing you can do immediately. (hence my motivation to install). He reported recent breakends surprisingly included a house with barking doberman. All where in the daytime when the neighborhood went to work. According to the officer the burglers worked in pairs one driving a nice late model getway car (bmw) and another going door to door. They would target the master bed room looking for jewelry first. In some cases these burgler would have local intelligence... ie neighborhood people (he called them "delinquent kids") so they know your schedule or your contractor that entered your home. Each would get commission on break in take.
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I've had my SC1200 for 1.5 months now and it's worked fine straight out of the box on the first time. It has triggered three times all were valid.
1) I came home and opened the door forgetting I had the system armed (2nd day of having it)
2) I was at home and had set the armed away instead armed home from my bedroom. Came down during the night to get some milk and tripped the hallway motion sensor. :o
3) Testing the system for the fire alarm mod I did (see below for more)
--KNOCK ON WOOD-- that it stays like that.
I have a small 1200 sqft multi-level house so not sure if that helps with the range issues some of you are having that I am not. I have a mix of DS10A and DS12A for the doors and windows in the house. In addition I have added several fire alarm mod sensors (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=24104.msg136422#msg136422) as well and my system has worked like it should.
BTW I am using a cellphone for my "landline" as oppose to a real land line.
I use something called the xlink to get my spare cellphone to act like a land line.
Here is a review and "how to" (http://ingunowners.com/forums/ingo_real_world_reviews/155611-review_xtreme_technologies_xlink_bt_bluetooth_gateway_black.html) of the product.
About the only issue I had at the beginning was getting the power horns to work but that was me mis-reading the directions (the info that came with them is incorrect) but got help on these forums that they now work. I still don't think they are loud enough and have been looking at making either a custom horn to add to the system or just getting an old cassette tape radio leaving it "on" to play a cassette with an "alarm noise" and plugging it to an appliance module that is setup to the same code as the lights and when the alarm triggers it would also play. ;D
Need to test that theory a bit more but other than that no complains.
Now with that said this alarm (x10) or any alarm for that matter is not the be all end all for home security.
Home security is about layers of defense. In particular order:
- alarm system
- lighting for the perimeter of your house
- securing doors and windows
- a safe for your valuables bolted to the floor
- homeowners insurance
- adding torn bushes to obstruct window on 1st floor with ease asses
- adding security film to glass (windows/doors) (ie. 3M security film)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYdVK3BqPfk&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lFCbjV7NgQ&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HczmrOj0HY&feature=player_embedded
- get a big dog
- reinforce the door (http://www.doorsecuritypro.com/index.html) so it's harder to kick in
Thieves consider this when targeting a home/biz.
VISUAL -
does it look like an easy target?
does it look 'messy' in the yard, if so then neighbors may not notice any disarray the criminals cause.
are there 'alarm company' stickers on doors/windows?
can they see cameras or other things that will cause them to be identified?
PHYSICAL -
are the security layers real or fake? Generic stickers or security stickers that are not from a known security company?
are their thorn bushes or decorative plants under the windows?
is the deadbolt cheap or a quality unit?
do the doors look solid?
are the windows accessible or raised?
They want an easy target they can do a quick smash and grab. If your house looks like too much trouble guess what? They are going to go elsewhere.
Hi did I read this correctly did you say your Powerhorns actually work correctly?? do they cut on and off or do they produce the correct oscillating tone. Thanks
Tom j.
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I have 4 power horns and when the alarm trips about 5 to 6 seconds after it has tripped they begin to sound.
The make a sound (high pitch noise) for 3 to 4 second then turn off for 3 to 4 second and continue making noise, turning off (no noise), making noise, etc..
Since my last post I did have another alarm. I left the house and left a rather big mess of papers stacked on my dining table. When the AC kicked on the vent near the table blew some of the papers onto the floor and the motion sensor caught it.
I got the phone call but did not hear anything via the MIC. I was on for about 10 mins (on cellphone) as I made my way back to the house the entire time the power horns and lights were going on/off.
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Sounds like you have the PH508/PSH01 Large Powerhorn and a Date Code in the 2010 and maybe 2011 {I have not tested any 2011 units} range.
Unfortunately that is the way they act with a SC1200. Because the console sends the two Light Codes On and Off commands. Powerhorns where originally designed to trigger on an All Lights ON All Units Off cycle or an On Off cycle to the House/Unit Code it was set to. The second address messes up things.
Could be worse. The 2009 ones sound one time. Everytime you arm the system and the security lights flash to verify the armed condition.
I agree they don't sound as good as they use to. The older designed ones are noticeable much louder.
The Powerhorn is supposed to time out after four minutes and stop sounding, but I think when they pause the timeout resets.
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I have the PH508 Large Powerhorn with a date code of 10L52.
I think you are right in terms of the timeout reseting since I have been able to get them (powerhorn) to ring for 10 mins during my last alarm trigger. It's not a continuous sound. As I stated they tun on, make noise, turn off, then back on, etc. They follow the same pattern as the lights flashing. :)
Yes they are not as loud as I would like them to be but I'm working on getting that fixed. Looking for an old tape player. Will record an alarm sound on the tape player and have it on play "minus" the power. Then use an appliance module and when the alarm triggers it will turn on the appliance module which in turn will turn on the tape player and "boom" even more sound. :)%
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Just take into consideration.
The Appliance Module is going to be set to one of the security light codes.
It will turn On and Off when you arm the system. As the security lights flash On and Off to verify arming and arm away from the console keeps them On for the exit delay.
It will also go On and Off during an alarm. As the security lights flash.
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Good note. I only ARM AWAY from the keychain device or actually get out of the house call the SC1200 and arm it that way. Since I use the cellphone/bluetooth bridge I like to test the connection before I leave to make sure it's working. So no biggie for me.
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Or scare away and intruder.
You mean scare an intruder away after they have broken in. Well... obviously at that point it is a tad late to prevent a break-in. The idea of an alarm scaring away the intruder is real... and a valid point. Meanwhile considerable damage can be done by an intruder by just forcing access. I am all for doing everything possible to prevent an intrusion.
I use a "Voice Warning System (http://www.youtube.com/suitmanIM#p/u/14/tkAwQ4KXkHA)" triggered by a floodlight (as seen in the YouTube Video at the link) with a voice for my BVC (http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) setup. I use a setup that allows me to use this feature during the day and/or night. Of course I also use cameras in my setup. Emailing images is a great way remotely monitor a home. If an alarm will scare away an intruder... why not scare (or warn) the intruder away before he kicks down your door?
Dave, could you expound on how to email images? I've tried for a couple of years now to no avail. I can send emails to meself, but not images.
Never mind, I guess the SC1200 has it's own email options. I was referrring to MYHouse.
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...... Dave, could you expound on how to email images?
You can email images (even video I think) using the camera monitoring software plugin(s) like iwatchout or Vanguard.
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...... Dave, could you expound on how to email images?
You can email images (even video I think) using the camera monitoring software plugin(s) like iwatchout or Vanguard.
HOW?????
Been trying to email images for 2 years. All I can email is text.
AHP, iWatch, OnAlert, Macros and MyHouse---3.318 XP SP3
I know about the "Video Functions" in Macros, inserted a "email image" box. no email.
I can email text just fine. I can go to my email@yahoo.com and email the image to my cell phone, but not thru AHP suite. I've asked this question a couple of times in above forums but no help.
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I sure could use some guidance. :'