DSC PC2550 problem

[Fred Schnitzer]

I've a DSC PC2550 system, builder-installed about 8 years ago. This
weekend we had a lightning strike that caused damage to various things
in my home. The alarm system might be among them.

The alarm was armed and immediately went off when the strike occurred.
Talk about losing 10 years of my life. Geez. The strike sounded like
a nearby explosion.

Anyway, I couldn't get the siren to shut off, even after entering the
code several times into the keypad. But it wasn't completely fried,
as it dialed out and reported the alarm to the monitoring center.
They called me and indicated something about my system reporting
trouble... I was a bit sleepy, part drunk, the siren was blaring, and
I neglected to get all of the details, sorry.

Unable to get the siren to silence, I finally disconnected the battery
- the system had already lost AC power because the feeding circuit
breaker was damaged. The "trouble" light was on before I pulled the
battery.

I replaced the damaged circuit breaker and restored AC power to the
PC2550. The siren started right back up again, so I again powered it
down.

It is not under warranty or service contract. What, if anything, can
I try before calling a technician? Or should I just buy a replacement
board?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Allan Waghalter]

You are going to need an experienced technician. If your home and system
took the kind of hit your posting suggests, there is a possibility that more
than just the panel is fried. Window/door contacts may be fused, glass
breaks/motion sensors etc may be fried and you may have some burned wires.

Allan Waghalter
Security Sure Alarm Company
Houston, TX 77071
www.securitysure.com
713-771-8887 - Fax: 713-776-3996

 

[RH.Campbell]

Sir, my suggestion would be to forget about diagnosing your problems which
sound severe. Scrap the old panel and simply buy yourself a new, modern
board since they're so damn cheap now. Lightning damage can be hard to
diagnose, but a siren wailing away is a pretty good sign your board is
shot..

But even with a new panel, there is still a possiblity of further damage to
the wiring and switches, so you will have to check all that as well very
carefully.....

There are all sorts of internet providers where you can buy this
equipment....if you like DSC, the Power 832 is a good choice.

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com

 

[G. Morgan]

Someone named [email protected] (Fred Schnitzer) Proclaimed on 3 May
2004 11:45:51 -0700,

The alarm was armed and immediately went off when the strike occurred.
Talk about losing 10 years of my life. Geez. The strike sounded like
a nearby explosion.

You must be in Texas. That was a hell of a storm this weekend aye?

-Graham

 

[Fred Schnitzer]

I've a DSC PC2550 system, builder-installed about 8 years ago. This
weekend we had a lightning strike that caused damage to various things
in my home. The alarm system might be among them.

Okay, folks, thank you for the responses so far. The system is
currently under a monitoring contract with SAFE, so I suppose I could
contact their service department?

Or can someone recommend a good technician that services my area and
is familiar with DSC systems? I'm just north of Atlanta, in
Alpharetta, Georgia.

And what can I expect to pay for a service call, and how much of a
parts markup is reasonable? The system hasn't been touched since it
was installed, some 8 years ago, so I don't have a preferred
technician.

Regarding insurance, I've a $1000 deductible, so we'll have to see how
bad things are. So far I'm up to about $500 of damage (garage door
opener, irrigation controller, & cable modem, a few other small
things).

I'm reasonably handy, and could certainly swap the board and reconnect
all the wires to the right places. But are my other components
compatible? Door & window sensors, motion detectors, keypads? And
I'd probably need help programming the new board.

If a new board is not compatible with my other components, then I'd be
tempted to just buy a replacement PC2550 from somewhere.

 

[RH.Campbell]

As my daughter says, "that's a bummer"...!!

Older DSC 2550 boards are getting hard to find although they are still
available. If you're under contract with an alarmco, why not give them a
call and find out what they can do for you. You might be surprised (or
not...). If your system is 8 years old, it might be time for a change
anyway, depending upon the price they want. You'll have to check out each
loop and the components on it to look for other hidden damage from
lightning, but your older components should be compatible with any new board
you install. Generally, the only things that may not be compatible are such
model specific items such as expander boards, keypads, and some wireless
equipment. But contacts, motions and glassbreaks all work on 12 volts....

I had the same problem some years ago. The house next door got hit with
lightning and burned to the ground nearly taking my home along with it. The
neighbourhood "surge" burned most every component in my home, "rebooted" the
computer modules in all the new cars in the block, and exploded a couple of
TV sets within a couple of doors of the house. Since all my neighbours are
my customers, I spent quite a bit of time fixing about a dozen alarm systems
in the neighbourhood that had all sorts of very weird problems after the
strike...

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com

 

[Spike]

As my daughter says, "that's a bummer"...!!

Older DSC 2550 boards are getting hard to find although they are still
available. If you're under contract with an alarmco, why not give them a
call and find out what they can do for you. You might be surprised (or
not...). If your system is 8 years old, it might be time for a change
anyway, depending upon the price they want. You'll have to check out each
loop and the components on it to look for other hidden damage from
lightning, but your older components should be compatible with any new board
you install. Generally, the only things that may not be compatible are such
model specific items such as expander boards, keypads, and some wireless
equipment. But contacts, motions and glassbreaks all work on 12 volts....

I had the same problem some years ago. The house next door got hit with
lightning and burned to the ground nearly taking my home along with it. The
neighbourhood "surge" burned most every component in my home, "rebooted" the
computer modules in all the new cars in the block, and exploded a couple of
TV sets within a couple of doors of the house. Since all my neighbours are
my customers,

I spent quite a bit of time fixing about a dozen alarm systems

 

[Fred Schnitzer]

I've a DSC PC2550 system, builder-installed about 8 years ago. This
weekend we had a lightning strike that caused damage to various things
in my home. The alarm system might be among them.

Okay, again thanks for the responses so far. I've spoken with a
technician and did a bit of troubleshooting. It appears that the bell
circuit is fried and it's powering the siren at all times. The
trouble code indicates "bell circuit".

So we're looking at some new hardware and could use some advice. The
tech doesn't have a PC2550 available, but is willing to try and find
one. We also spoke about installing a new board and keypads. He
suggested a GE hybrid system and gave me a price of $270 for the
equipment (panel plus 3 LED keypads).

My question: How does the GE equipment in this price range compare
with the products available from other manufacturers? I do not have
model numbers for the GE stuff, sorry.

For example, a poster on this thread mentioned that the DSC Power832
would be a good replacement option for my old PC2550.

Thank you.

 

[Frank Olson]

[email protected] (Fred Schnitzer) wrote in message

Okay, again thanks for the responses so far. I've spoken with a
technician and did a bit of troubleshooting. It appears that the bell
circuit is fried and it's powering the siren at all times. The
trouble code indicates "bell circuit".

So we're looking at some new hardware and could use some advice. The
tech doesn't have a PC2550 available, but is willing to try and find
one. We also spoke about installing a new board and keypads. He
suggested a GE hybrid system and gave me a price of $270 for the
equipment (panel plus 3 LED keypads).

My question: How does the GE equipment in this price range compare
with the products available from other manufacturers? I do not have
model numbers for the GE stuff, sorry.

For example, a poster on this thread mentioned that the DSC Power832
would be a good replacement option for my old PC2550.

The 832 *is* a hybrid system as well. Expandable to 32 zones of either wired or
wireless sensors. In your situation, you have almost unlimited options. If you
wish to include future home automation goodies, I'd suggest either the Ademco,
Napco, or CADDX (GE Line) products. You can have a look at all the
manufacturer's products here: http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/systems.htm.
Scroll down to "KwikLinks" . From what you've told us your Dealer's prices are
reasonable. If you're happy with his service, stick with him!

 

[Mark Leuck]

You're telling me... Our service department is swamped (even more than usual
following a storm).

Delayed my flight from Dallas to Houston by 5 hours and delayed my flight
from Houston to Nashville another 4....that kinda sucked

 

[alarman]

Mark Leuck wrote

Delayed my flight from Dallas to Houston by 5 hours and delayed my flight
from Houston to Nashville another 4....that kinda sucked

You couldn't get a direct flight out of Dallas??
js

 

[Mark Leuck]

Mark Leuck wrote

You couldn't get a direct flight out of Dallas??
js

Not with Continental apparently

 

[Frank Olson]

Not with Continental apparently

Next time, fly "Delta"... )

 

[Mark Leuck]

Next time, fly "Delta"... )

In about a month or 2 they will be bankrupt, smart idea