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[pe]

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.

[Brian H]

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.

[paul]

The power horn does not sound like ADT but
it is very loud and would get the attention
of the neighhood if installed outdoors

[franklin]

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.

[joel]

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.

[john]

Did any of you ever consider inviting your
neighbors over to show them what your alarm
system sounds like?  Or, is that too
obvious?

[franklin]

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?"

[paul]

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

[Brian H]

Does sound like a cricket on speed pills!
Triggered my new one this afternoon.

[fish]

My wife and I agree that the sound is far
too weak.  Does anyone know of another
option besides the $129 outdoor siren?

[Brian H]

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.

[BrianH2]

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?

[Brian H]

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

[Brian H]

Hoping to tinker with boat a PH508 and a
SH10A over the long weekend. Hope to have
some data then.

[BrianH2]

 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.