House alarms

[kavesh]

Hi everyone and happy holidays:-)

I'm sure there is someone here that is knowledgeable on house alarms.

My alarm stopped working during a recent storm, no power to the keypad or passives although the power supply light to alarm by the wall plug was lit. Battery tested and confirmed over 13v.

So I disconnected the power and battery and asked an "alarm specialist" to come take a look and reported to my broker as a possible claim for lightning.

Anyways the alarm remained disconnected for about a week before the specialist came over, who did not even bother to troubleshoot or check anything. Was only interested in arranging a quote for the insurance company which he can only supply by the end of next week.

Anyways in desperation I connected up the alarm this morning and it powered back up. My question is why? I am happy its working again but my brain tells me I need to know why it did not power up a week ago.

Its an old Caddx nx4 alarm that was installed almost 20 years ago and has worked flawlessly till now.

Would appreciate any comments on the above, thanks

Kavesh

[ians]

Some alarms have a fuse which can be reset by simply switching it off and then on again.

[kavesh]

Some alarms have a fuse which can be reset by simply switching it off and then on again.

Seems this may be the case with mine as well.

I still need to resolve why 2 zones need to be bypassed before arming, the light on the keypad flashes continuously even though it should not. This issue is new after we powered up the system after being off for a week.

[ians]

I will check in my storeroom ... I removed a caddy NX 4 system with 2 keypads and replaced it with an IDS X64 ... I might still have the old system and the installation/ user manual manual etc.

[kavesh]

I will check in my storeroom ... I removed a caddy NX 4 system with 2 keypads and replaced it with an IDS X64 ... I might still have the old system and the installation/ user manual manual etc.

Thanks Ian, I will wait to hear from you.

[ians]

I found it ... it has 2 keypads.

[ians]

The problem could have defaulted the system.

Which light is flashing and at what rate? 1 sec intervals?

[Justloadit]

Do a google search
caddy NX 4 system

[ians]

Do a google search
caddy NX 4 system

The problem with alarm systems ... unless you at least have a basic understanding of how alarm systems work ... the info is like reading reading french.

In most cases if you have an 8 zones system you can default the system and it will work ... then just reset the passwords.

[kavesh]

The problem could have defaulted the system.

Which light is flashing and at what rate? 1 sec intervals?

its zone 4 and 8.

Zone 4 is a passive for my TV room
Zone 8 is used for a panic remote button

The zone flash rate is faster than a second, but exactly the same flash rate as having a door open and that zone light flashing

[kavesh]

I found it ... it has 2 keypads.

Awesome

[ians]

The quickest test would be to take one of the resistors (3.3k) and insert it between Z4 and C (common) ... if the light still flashes ... the board could be damage.

if not ... it could be that there is a problem with the wire or the device.

do the same to zone 8.

the best advice I can offer is for you to find a friend who knows an alarm tech who does side line work ... he must be familiar with the caddy NX system otherwise he is gonna waste your time and money ... it could be why the alarm tech who offered to "replace you system didnt offer to fix it.

Depending which company you use ... ADT for example use the IDS ... Blue security use the Risco system.

the caddy NX system was a good system back in its day ... so is the Paradox and the Texecom

The problem is the alarm industry is a real cut throat business.

I decided to go with the IDS system ( locally manufactured and have the best support team) ... done all the training on the IDS system and have a full 64 zone system in my house and a test rig on my office wall ... I also have all the equipment to setup and monitor the systems.

[kavesh]

I found it ... it has 2 keypads.

Hi Ian, I sent you a PM but have not heard back from you.

I may be interested in your old system you located. I managed to track down the guy that originally installed my alarm. He will test the system for me next week and advise what needs repair.