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🛡Home Security => Problems and Troubleshooting => Topic started by: mike on October 28, 2011, 04:39:06 PM

Title: 5 new SC12A useless????????????????????
Post by: mike on October 28, 2011, 04:39:06 PM

Quote from: mike on October 22, 2011, 10:07:47 PM

well never mind;  i see the sc1200 pull & x10 probably going under.....  just bought 5 from the one ebay guy.

they just came in.  date code 10L.  from the guy on ebay still selling them, for $ 99.00 each.  no accessories with them.....

IS THIS A JOKE????????????????

IS THIS WHAT FOLKS MEAN BY "POOR RANGE??????????????"

I could get 2 of the 5 to install 1 KR10a if I tried 22 times;  I once had one install a SH526 but never again, I could get a DS10 to install if I held it in my hand and stood on my head and drank a beer from a straw;  the other 32 times I opend and closed the sw it would not install.  I thought, ok, maybe I am too close;  I tried across the room, I tried setting it on top of the SC12A, I tried sitting in my car in the garage with the door open, with the door closed.....  do you see how ridiculous this is??????????????

Folks, poor range should mean "it wont work over 200 feet" NOT it won't register 1/2" inch away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I even opened one case and carefully pulled the wrap around 8" antenna wire out - it fits nicely thru the keypad door hinge slot with no mods....  then added another 8" extension to it.....  NFG.

Before I return these 5pc does anyone have any words of wisdom for me?  If they will work if I only have an icecube in my left hand and stand on my right foot, I WILL try it.....

(I think this should be a new thread so added under here;  will go back and try to delete the old thread I posted it under first).

I am seriously interested in replies if there is anything anyone knows that may explain this total lack of performance.

Title: Re: 5 new SC12A useless????????????????????
Post by: Brian H on October 28, 2011, 06:38:04 PM

SC1200 Console?
From what you are indicating. It sounds like the console is defective. If everything has such a short range.
My DS12As have a much better distance than 1/2".

Was the $99 for the SC1200 console or DS12A Door Window Sensors?
I hope it was a console and not the sensors. As X10 has the DS12As on sale for $29.99 for a six pack.

Title: Re: 5 new SC12A useless????????????????????
Post by: mike on October 28, 2011, 07:30:01 PM

hee hee... , the 99 is each for the console.....and it is not "the console" it is 5 pieces - all act the same....

anyone give me any history on the "SC1200"  vs "SC12A?"  It is advertised as SC1200 but marked SC12A....  is there a difference?

these are from:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160553071450?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_2552wt_932

anyone buy from him?  they say brand new but perhaps they are defective returns he is reselling?

Title: Re: 5 new SC12A useless????????????????????
Post by: Brian H on October 28, 2011, 07:44:42 PM

Samething as far as I know.
I bought a SC1200A kit and the console is actually marked SC12A.
Manual says SC1200. Though the On-Alert plug in for AHP again calls it a SC12A.
I also have seen other automaton dealers calling them a SC1200A. Even the ones selling them alone and not the kit.

If KR10As and the SH526 also have lousy range. It sounds like the consoles receiver is not working correctly.

Title: Re: 5 new SC12A useless????????????????????
Post by: mike on October 28, 2011, 08:00:13 PM

Quote from: Brian H on October 28, 2011, 07:44:42 PM

....
If KR10As and the SH526 also have lousy range. It sounds like the consoles receiver is not working correctly.

thanks for reply.  I am afraid this ebay seller just sold me FIVE defective ones if you guys insist there are some that actually work.

guess I will return all 5 tomorrow.  anyone else looking for the sc1200 might want to beware of this seller:  id:  "x10-home-automation-shipped-free" 

there should be no way 5 of 5 are defective randomly.

Title: Re: 5 new SC12A useless????????????????????
Post by: Brian H on October 28, 2011, 08:05:04 PM

Mine work farther than that.
I am sure others may give you the distances they are getting.
I have not dealt with that particular vendor.

Title: Re: 5 new SC12A useless????????????????????
Post by: mike on October 29, 2011, 01:27:35 PM

damn cats sitting on keyboards as u type.....  lost my almost finished post here.....

ok.  4 of 5 DO work - found out that none will register a ds1o or remote while sitting on a metal workbench!  Crazy.  shud have at least registered when the thing was set 1/2" away....

add to confusion that 1 of 5 is pure defective - no register at all - guess which one I pulled antenna out of and added alligator extion on?/   of course. 

so now I have 4 of 5 good ones.  all about the same range.  I will start new thread to list range info I found with external antenna.....

Title: Re: 5 new SC12A useless????????????????????
Post by: Brian H on October 29, 2011, 02:08:48 PM

The consoles would not register any devices when sitting on a metal surface?
That does not sound good at all.

I know the sensors have their antenna on their back side and can be effected by metal.