Don said:
get the user code from previous owner and turn it off after plugging in
transformer and then battery.
The user code will help if you can get it, but that is only a start. There
are going to be some other issues you will face with this panel. There may
be some items programmed into the system that will cause trouble conditions
on the panel (lights and constant beeping) if they are not deprogrammed.
This will require the installers code to do. That is different than the
master "user" code. Some of the troubles that will have to be cleared are
the memory light if that is on, a low battery trouble, either from the main
panel or any wireless devices or both, since it has been without power at
some point and may not have had time to recharge, (sensor batteries don't
recharge), resetting the internal clock since it has been completely powered
down, and if it has been connected to a phone line, which it sounds like it
has been, failure to communicate for loss of AC and/or low battery, daily
test, if programmed, or any other alarms that may have been tripped since
last used. If the previous company programmed the telephone line monitoring
feature, when you disconnect the alarm panel from the telephone line it will
again go into trouble. This feature will also need to be reprogrammed if you
don't want monitoring. All of the zone programming features will need to be
checked to see that it fits your lifestyle as in entry/exit times, motion
detector set up, entry exit doors, panic buttons, smoke detectors etc. There
is required programming for each device. Who knows what has been turned on
or off over time. All user codes, 32 possibililties, will need to be
cleared. You don't know who may have codes to that system. If the system is
to be used as a local system only, the previous account number and central
station phone numbers will also need to come out or the system will try to
dial the numbers upon an alarm and when it can't get through the system will
again go into trouble. Your phone line needs to be disconnected from the
panel and the phone line rewired so the panel no longer comes into play.
Otherwise you could experience telephone line problems especially if you
have or intend to add DSL service. My best advice is to call an alarm
service company to come out and set you up as a local system. A small local
company is your best bet for this. It would be a one time cost. You may have
a hard time finding a company that is interested in do this since monitoring
is important to most alarm companies. Tell them you will be happy to pay
their hourly service rate but you are not interested in monitoring. The main
problem you will face is the installer code issue. Call the company that
used to have that account. They will know the code but chances are will not
share it since it is proprietary. Tell them to take it out after they
service it or leave it and you will use them for service in the future on an
as needed basis. If they won't do it, see if they will at least deprogram
the installer code. They may be able to do this over the phone from their
computers. Once set up, your users manual will let you use the system to the
extent that most all people use their system. Buy a new battery, either a
12volt 4 amp hour or a 12volt 7 amp hour if there are alot of motions,
keypads, glassbreaks and/or smoke detectors on the system. The service
company can do this. If you choose to, take the battery with you to compare
at the place of purchase. It won't hurt either way but start out with a new
battery. It needs to be changed about every three years. If there are
wireless devices on the windows and doors, or any other of the devices,
change those batteries as well. Don't go through the hassle of changing each
one as it goes low. Start out fresh with all of them. Good Luck!
)
