X10 Community Forum
🛡Home Security => Home Security General => Topic started by: jeff on April 03, 2005, 08:46:37 PM
-
I purchased the SS-300 Sonic Outdoor Siren
(http://www.save-on-security.com/SS-300-B%
20Sonic%20Outdoor%20Siren.htm) which works
with both RadioShack wireless systems (49-
1000 and 49-2551A). It has to be plugged
into a LM-465 Lamp Flash Module in order to
work and it does work when the alarm is
triggered. The problem I have is when I set
the alarm, the siren sounds for about 10
seconds which is very annoying for me and
my neighbors. Does anyone know how I can
stop that from happening and still have the
siren work when the alarm triggers?
-
I looked at the install sheet for the SS-300-
B. Do you have the Lamp and power strip
along with the 6 volt adapter on the output
of the LM-465? The bulb maybe needed to
lower the OFF voltage as the module has some
OFF current on its output.
-
The Sonic sheet says that a 25 watt or
larger lamp is needed on the output of the
lamp module. 25 watts is the minimum load
needed to properly turn it off.
-
OH does the console flash the lamps when
armed?
-
I didn't put a lamp on it because I didn't
think it was a necessary item. I thought
that was just so you could watch the flash
sequence.
-
No there is a minimum load needed on the
module. As it has a small current flowing on
the output all the time for the Local
Control Feature. The trigger power supply
may not be enough load and actually be
putting a partial trigger voltage out. Any
lamp smaller than 25 watts on that module
may golw dimmly from thet current also. Try
a lamp it maybe what is needed.
-
I tried this and correct me if I'm wrong
but from what I see in the picture
eventhough the instructions say the siren
adapter must plug into the lamp module it
is actually plugged into the power bar
which is plugged into the lamp module and
the light is also plugged into the power
bar. The lamp module and the power adapter
are plugged into a regular outlet. When I
set it up this way, the siren sounds
immediately when all plugs are in (I didn't
set the alarm). Am I seeing this wrong?
At least the way I had it before, the siren
didn't sound until I armed it. I had the
lamp module and the power adapter for the
siren plugged into the power bar (which was
in a regular outlet) and the other siren
adapter plugged into the lamp module.
-
The lamp module and the 12 volt power supply
[main power brick for siren] are connected
to an outlet that is always on. The 25 watt
load lamp and smalller trigger [hard wired 6
volt one] are on a power strip that is
connected to the lamp modules output.
So main power brick and lamp module always
ON in a wall socket
Smaller wired in brick and load lamp on the
output of the lamp module.
-
That is how I had it hooked up and the
siren goes off immediately.
-
minus the load lamp that is.
-
Plugging a lamp in (I used a 40 watt bulb
because that's the lowest wattage that I
had) did stop the siren from firing when
the alarm is set. However, the siren no
longer sounds when the 49-1000 alarm is
tripped. It does sound when the 49-2551A
alarm is tripped. Have any ideas about that?
-
OH! Have seen things about the 49-1000 also
not tripping the X10 Powerhorns [it will NOT
trigger them] in another message thread
where I did some tests. I have the 49-1000
and a program that lets me see the signals
on the line as they are sent as received by
my computer interface. Two things are
different between the X10 console and the RS
one. The RS sends two addresses for lamps as
you may know. Example Coded B1 and B2. It
snds a B1 BON then a B2 BON then a B OFF
that I believe is a all code OFF. The X10
just send the ON-OFF cycle to the single
security lamp address. That extra address
timing maybe just out of your sirens ON-OFF
cycle time needed to trigger it. Why with no
lamps does it work. With no lamp the lamp
modules sensing current was enough to keep
the trigger voltage partially there and was
then fast enough to trigger the siren but
also gave the short burst when armed. Also I
believe the X10 consoles ON-OFF cycle is a
quicker one than the RS one.
Don't have any ideas right now, but will
think on it.
-
I believe that the 49-2551A is very close to
the X10 DS7000 kit and also only flashes one
security address. So it too will have the
same faster ON-OFF cycles and no second
security lamp address to deal with like the
49-1000 has.
-
I'm the one that had the issue with the
smaller powerhorn not being triggered by
the 49-1000 and I believe it was due to on-
off cycle time. I guess unless you think of
something else, I'll either have to remove
the light and let it sound when armed, or
live with the powerhorn only sounding when
the 49-2551A is tripped.
-
OK. My larger Powerhorn as you know also
didn't trip on the 49-1000.
-
BrianH - Do you have any connections with
RadioShack to find out if they are working
on a resolution for these problems with the
49-1000?
-
No not associated with Radio Shack or X10.
Just a hardware geek that likes to
investagate how thing work.
I don't know if you scan other messages here
and if you have time to maybe help.
This section [Security] is a message "Remote
Functions" and is questions on the 49-1000
and how things work as they found the manual
extremely skimpy on facts.
-
I called RadioShack's tech support
headquarters in Texas and they said they
new of the problem but didn't have a
resolution yet. They said to check back
every week to see if they had one. I asked
if they could post it on their web site but
they said they couldn't. I knew the answer
to question 2 for "Remote Functions" but I
would like to know the answer to his other
questions myself.
-
Mee to on the questions. OK a long shot
thought. Since the 49-1000 sends a security
lamp on off for two addresses in a row and
my line monitor shows the second address
being second has less time between the ON
and OFF. You may want to try the lamp module
for the sonic on the higher of the two
addresses just to see if it helps.
-
It's actually on the second address now. I
may go back to the first and see if it
changes anything.
-
Guess it is the timing being slower than the
ON OFF from the older consoles and maybe the
OFF command that I think was an all unit off.
I am going to double check that as soon as I
get a chance.
-
HI Jeff & Brian,
I am the one who posted "Remote Functions"
and have read this thread with interest. I
installed a low current piezo buzzer with a
lamp module in my bedroom because it is so
far from the console. Had the same problem
due to the leakage current, so I replaced
the lamp module with an appliance module. It
has a relay that appears to be isolated from
the load.
I intend to have my system call my son
(several states away) and have him
experiment to determine the answers to my
questions 1 & 3. However, I am leaving for
two weeks tomorrow so it will be closer to
the end of the month before I can post the
results.
Are you interested?
Thanks for your help.
George
-
Sure. When you get the information. I would
also like to know the results. I did [for
another question on a DS10A] find that the
older DS10A and Keychain security remote
from the older DS7000 Kit are fine with the
new 49-1000 console.
-
Jeff, Since I am leaving tomorrow for
several weeks I re-read the manual. Also I
noted your early posting Apr 3 @ 5:46.
The manual states "These lights (security
lites)also blink on for a second when the
alarm is armed in the HOME Mode, or turn on
for the exit delay time when the alarm is
armed in the AWAY Mode". It appears your
only problem is with the design of the
system.
George
-
I've been following this thread trying to
work out some "querks" with the RS 49-1000 as
well. I've also contacted Radio Shack tech
support about the issue. I was pretty
surprised all they could state is that it is
a "compatibility issue" and although they
clearly advertise the unit on their website
and on the box as being expandable to
external sirens they haven't been able to
tell me anything more. RS has not been able
to comment on if or when they will have this
issue resolved (I imagine the most feasable
way would be to issue a compatible siren
obviously, where they'll probably have to
collaberate with X10). I was told by a
Radioshack guy that X10 and Radioshack had a
"falling out" at one point where Radioshack
decided to design their own unit (the RS
49-1000), not sure how true this is. Anyway
I'm just pretty dissappointed that all RS
could say is "try it" with no specifics on
the issue or when or if they will resolve it.
Additionally they continue to falsely
advertise the product to be expandable to
external Sirens (a major deciding factor for
me personally). I purchased the smaller
powerhorn and have been able to get it to
work however it sounds for 10 seconds then
shuts off. I'm pretty torn, I kind of want to
take it back to RS for a refund since it will
not work properly however I also have some
hope that somehow I might be able to get it
to work properly. I wonder if there is some
sort of trick to get this to work properly. I
really like this alarm, the features, its
consistency for a wireless alarm, the price
and overall design execept this issue. I've
sent RS another email to ask more about the
issue and to express my dissatisfaction with
an otherwise very satisfactory unit (I doubt
they'll respond). I really hope one of us
will come up with something! Brandon
dintrepidsg02@hotmail.com
-
Look at any of your 49-1000 items for the
FCC ID# Starts with B4S. B4S is X10 Wireless
and a search for FCC nummbers find all the
items had a X10 Wireless as the grantee! The
RF Remotes in the FCC Database have
schematics and they are X10m Schematics!
Probably made to RS specfications.
-
Brian, good find! I had no idea it was
actually made and/or designed by X10 (least
so we strongly suspect). I mean isn't
possible Radio Shack just licened X10's
technology which resulted in that FCC ID? If
that's the case then that's even more
dissappointing to me (the fact that it
doesn't work with its own brand of devices
it is supposed to/advertised to work with if
that's the case). I've yet to hear from RS
per my second email to their technical
support department regarding when or if they
are actually going to issue a siren that
works or recommend some sort of fix.
Thinking in the back of my mind previously I
was thinking that the unit could be actually
designed and/or made by X10 so just in case,
I emailed their tech support department as
well. Have yet to hear anything from X10
either on the issue. Of course thanks to you
we know "why" the 49-1000 is having this
issue. RS couldn't even give me that. Thanks
for all the good research/testing into this
unit and these issues, I'm sure you'll keep
us updated on any further findings! Brandon
dintrepidsg02@hotmail.com
-
RS [web site] only lists them as compatible
with the older 49-2551A [looks like a white
version of the DS7000] and no mention of the
49-1000
-
Yeah, however the 49-1000 Alarm itself says
it's expandable to external sirens on the
RS website in its description and on the
box. Unless they just recently removed it
in result of myself (and probably others)
giving them a hard time (doubt it though).
I'm hoping they'll just issue a siren that
is compatible however I am doubting at this
time that they will. They didn't seem to
really care or have any information as to
when or if they will be doing anything.
They couldn't even elaborate on
the "compatibility issue", where you were
able to figure the entire issue out
yourself and figure out what's happening.
My last follow up email sent a few days ago
has not recieved any replies so it seems to
me that RS just doesn't care, regardless of
if they are basically falsely advertising
the thing (as far as I'm concerned).
-
UPDATE: Got a suggestion for you . . . Try
Radioshack's Universal "Plug N' Power"
Appliance Module $12.99 Catalog #: 61-3004,
this is A FULLY COMPATIBLE LAMP/APPLIANCE
MODULE FOR THE 49-1000, trust me I just
bought one and it works just fine without
any issues, is very consistant. It is a
little different than the LM-465 X10 unit
where it actually works properly with the 49-
1000 however same basic concept when it
comes to making a lamp flash etc. I know the
directions say use the LM-465 but this sends
out a "flashing" sequence to a lamp the same
way and should work fine in it's place (same
concept to activate it) however it is
actually fully compatible with the 49-1000
unlike other X10 sirens and lamp modules,
which should eliminate some of the "querks"
you are experiencing. For $12.99 at your
local Radioshack with the ability to simply
return it if it doesn't work I'd say it's
definately worth a try. If I don't hear
anything soon I'll probably be buying an SS-
300 and trying it myself soon. Let me know,
Brandon dintrepidsg02@hotmail.com
-
Since the 49-1000 sends out the House/Unit
codes and not the All Light ON and All Units
OFF. X10 appliance modules MAY work. Will
try it to see. I do have the 3 prong version
from Radio Shack so I can try that one also.
Due to the local sensing circuit you may
still have to add the small lamp on the
output to have proper control of the SS-300.
-
OOPS I think that I may have the same one. I
looked up the stock number [not home to
look] on the RS site and it looks like the
one I have.
-
The X10 AM486 2 Pin and AM466 3 Pin
Appliance Modules will also respond to the
House Unit Code sent by the 49-1000. The
timing may still be too slow to trigger the
SS-300. Also I tested both the RS and X10 3
pin appliance modules. Both have local
control sensing and the small off current
maybe still enough to goof the trigger
transformers output not to go from the full
12 volts and back to 0. Maybe the 40 watt
lamp shown in the SS-300 manual will keep it
low enough.
For those with both the RS 49-1000 and a
DS7000 [Jeff]. The Appliance modules will
not respond to the DS7000 sending the All
Lights ON and All Units OFF cycle, but both
model Powerhorns do and I believe the SS-300
also.
-
The Universal Module UM506 with a set of low
voltage dry contacts also works with the 49-
1000. Remember that when armed the console
sends an On OFF over the line. When armed
for away the code stays on for a minute or
so. Also just my luck. RS just put the 49-
1000 on sale in the flyer I got today?
-
The UM506 can be set to a momentary
closeing. That would sound the siren for
about 2-3 seconds when the ON command is
received. Then it resets itself till the
next ON signal is received. Continous keeps
it ON untill the OFF signal is sent.