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PIC House Alarm

L

Len

Jan 1, 1970
0
My house was hit by lightning and my DSC alarm system is broken, I want to
replace this with PIC alarm system, has anyone done such a design ?
I need about 8 Zones with 2 entry points a horn, 2 keypads and a panic
button , also a output for a radio controlled transmitter.

this will form part of a home automation project at the end so any ideas on
a control bus will help as well ? Is X10 a good idea ?

Thanks
Len
 
H

Homer J Simpson

Jan 1, 1970
0
My house was hit by lightning and my DSC alarm system is broken, I want to
replace this with PIC alarm system

Why? What is the perceived benefit?
 
A

Anthony Fremont

Jan 1, 1970
0
Len said:
My house was hit by lightning and my DSC alarm system is broken, I
want to replace this with PIC alarm system, has anyone done such a
design ?

Of course people have, but I haven't.......yet. ;-) It shouldn't be all
that hard to do, the largest amount of work will be in the user interface
software, the actual alarm system is simple. If I were doing it for my
home, I would make the user interface in something like VB and then use the
VB app to shove a config table of some sort into the PIC via a serial
interface. That would greatly simplify the PIC code.
I need about 8 Zones with 2 entry points a horn, 2 keypads and a panic
button , also a output for a radio controlled transmitter.

This is all easy enough for a microcontroller, for someone that has
programming experience. It might be kinda tough as a starter project for a
PIC newbie though.
this will form part of a home automation project at the end so any
ideas on a control bus will help as well ? Is X10 a good idea ?

X-10 is never a "good idea". ;-) Unfortunately it's probably the most
common power-line communication system. It is plagued by many strange and
interesting problems, mostly fixable, some allot easier than others. What
do you plan to automate?
 
A

Anthony Fremont

Jan 1, 1970
0
I posted this about a half hour ago, but it never showed up on supernews.
:-? Sorry if you see it twice, but I typed a bunch and don't want it to go
to waste. ;-)
My house was hit by lightning and my DSC alarm system is broken, I
want to replace this with PIC alarm system, has anyone done such a
design ?

Of course people have, but I haven't.......yet. It shouldn't be all
that hard to do, the largest amount of work will be in the user interface
software, the actual alarm system is simple. If I were doing it for my
home, I would make the user interface in something like VB and then use the
VB app to shove a config table of some sort into the PIC via a serial
interface. That would greatly simplify the PIC code.
I need about 8 Zones with 2 entry points a horn, 2 keypads and a panic
button , also a output for a radio controlled transmitter.

This is all easy enough for a microcontroller, for someone that has
programming experience. It might be kinda tough as a starter project for a
PIC newbie though.
this will form part of a home automation project at the end so any
ideas on a control bus will help as well ? Is X10 a good idea ?

X-10 is never a "good idea". Unfortunately it's probably the most
common power-line communication system. It is plagued by many strange and
interesting problems, mostly fixable, some allot easier than others. What
do you plan to automate?
 
M

mpm

Jan 1, 1970
0
My house was hit by lightning and my DSC alarm system is broken, I want to

You can buy a new DSC panel for about $50 at ADI.
If you have an account (you need to be a dealer)

(Just so you know.)

And even if you do roll your own (for education, experience, nothing
to do on a Friday night, etc..), what's going to stop lightning from
damaging your PIC-based "system"?

Anyway:

Alarm loops often have the option for terminating resistors, which
allow you use N/O and/or N/C contacts in the loop - while still
monitoring for an open wire condition. (ie., cut or damaged wire).

If you decide to hook smoke detectors to your system, just remember
you may not be living in the place "forever" and you'd be (morally)
responsible if the thing broke later and anyone got hurt becuase it
didn't work. (You can pretty much read that as: DSC carries product
liability insurance which your home-grown PIC won't have.)

Why not just fix the one you have? (Start with the communications
lines becuase without even looking at it I can almost bet that's where
the problem is!). Then, take a look at the lightning issues. Good
luck.
-mpm
 
A

Anthony Fremont

Jan 1, 1970
0
Homer said:

The benefit is obvious......the OP could have a functioning alarm system
again. Now, if I might be so bold as to ask you why you asked the OP that
question?
 
H

Homer J Simpson

Jan 1, 1970
0
The benefit is obvious......the OP could have a functioning alarm system
again. Now, if I might be so bold as to ask you why you asked the OP
that question?

If he's doing it for fun that's one thing.

If he's trying to save money, fugedaboutit. He could have a functioning
alarm system in a day by buying one - they aren't expensive
 
L

Len

Jan 1, 1970
0
A alarm system is about R600.00 and yes I can have it up and running in a
day, however

Then my hoby won't benefit, I can't add on to the project or alarm with my
needs in future and I can't attach it to my home-automation system later on
at my criteria. Will have to buy an expensive home larm or expensive add-on
modules so I rather spend some money now and save later on.

Len
 
L

Len

Jan 1, 1970
0
Unfortunately I am a PIC newbie :-( I can flash a LED etc. and read a input
N/C or N/O so the PIR's I can do, However as you say the keypads ... etc. is
the problem

Home automation :
I don't want to use X10 actually as that is where the problem started with a
lightning strike traveling through my power :-( So I would rather want to
use my own wiring (I2C ??) or RF Transmitters.

What do I want to automate :
1. Night/Daytie switch for fromt gate
2. Sensor lights (With logic e.g. movement more that 2 sensors in x second
then light the lights - to avoide plants triggering the lights)
3. Front gate lock and intercom (On a 12V Solenoid) - with stats on when
gate opened & closed
4. Irrigation System ( 7 Zones)
5. Bring the Alarm into the project

I am busy drafting a requirement and percieved logic design for it.

PS. I can find lots of PIC info on the web but not a lot on irrigation or
alarms ....


Regards,
Len
 
L

Len

Jan 1, 1970
0
Unfortunately all of that is fine and the zones etc. the problem is in the
Alarm out circuit ( Horn wailing the whole time)

I do agree with a lot of your arguements however my thoughs was to

1. Us my hoby to do it
2. If I sell the house most armed reaction companies include a basic alarm
with there contracts - I'll install my PIC @ my next house :) new
project...

Lightning is still the concern yes, I am busy investigating means and ways
to beter protect my elec equip , better earth etc.

Regards
Len
 
R

Roger Hamlett

Jan 1, 1970
0
Len said:
A alarm system is about R600.00 and yes I can have it up and running in a
day, however

Then my hoby won't benefit, I can't add on to the project or alarm with
my needs in future and I can't attach it to my home-automation system
later on at my criteria. Will have to buy an expensive home larm or
expensive add-on modules so I rather spend some money now and save later
on.

Len
There was a circuit for a basic PIC based alarm system, published in
'epe', about a year ago.

Best Wishes
 
M

Michael A. Terrell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Len said:
A alarm system is about R600.00 and yes I can have it up and running in a
day, however

Then my hoby won't benefit, I can't add on to the project or alarm with my
needs in future and I can't attach it to my home-automation system later on
at my criteria. Will have to buy an expensive home larm or expensive add-on
modules so I rather spend some money now and save later on.


How does your insurance company feel about you using a homemade alarm
system? What will the police or fire department charge for each repeat
false alarm? When I checked into manufacturing alarms in the '70s I
needed at the very least, $10 million dollars of Liability insurance,
even if only one alarm was built.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
 
A

Anthony Fremont

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
How does your insurance company feel about you using a homemade
alarm system? What will the police or fire department charge for
each repeat false alarm?

And of what relevance is any of this? The OP didn't ask for legal advice,
he asked for technical advice. Unless he's looking for some kind of
discount, I doubt his insurance company gives a damn about it. What makes
you think that his own system would be any more prone to false alarms than a
"professional" system anyway? Aren't most false alarms caused by the
sensors?
When I checked into manufacturing alarms in
the '70s I needed at the very least, $10 million dollars of Liability
insurance, even if only one alarm was built.

Y que? That's because you wanted to sell them, right?....not just build one
for your own amusement.
 
M

Michael A. Terrell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Anthony said:
Y que? That's because you wanted to sell them, right?....not just build one
for your own amusement.


Using it to monitor your home can bring on liability issues. That is
not "for your own amusment".

Some police department s bill for false alarms. thne reports are
made availible to your insurance company. DWTFYW.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
 
A

Anthony Fremont

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael said:
Using it to monitor your home can bring on liability issues. That
is not "for your own amusment".

Some police department s bill for false alarms. thne reports are
made availible to your insurance company.

Whatever.........The OP didn't even say it was going to be monitored by an
official agency, he just said he wanted to build a replacement alarm.
You're sounding like he's already putting life and limb at risk.

Real mature response, but I will continue to do exactly that. :-/
 
M

Michael A. Terrell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Anthony said:
Whatever.........The OP didn't even say it was going to be monitored by an
official agency, he just said he wanted to build a replacement alarm.
You're sounding like he's already putting life and limb at risk.


He's in Africa, so who knows. Some police departments won't give any
priority to calls made by non approved equipment, and will charge the
full fines for any false alarms. Some departments refuse to respond at
all after a set number of false alarms in a set period.

He may well be putting himself at risk, if his skills aren't up to
the task.

Real mature response, but I will continue to do exactly that. :-/


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
 
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