sixwheeledbeast

Pointing sensors at windows is the exact opposite of how sensors should be fitted. PIRs or DT's is a meh issue, if installed correctly I don't see why not. I'd spec Optex quads but I don't see an issue.

1) possibly, no guarantees your going to get it to work, all the risk of having no alarm. 2) You could try an ATA, no guarantees that will work but less chance of damaging the system.

I disagree. I honestly thought you were trolling... Yes you have to tune the microwave correctly but they are all pointing into your own property if positioned correctly. No idea with the Honeywell listed but all the DT's I fit are also Quads, worth checking yes. As you say no point in a DT with one of the technologies always active.

*Positions seem sensible. Extra pointless sensor in the middle hall area, possibly? *Don't wire multiple devices on one zone and do everything EOL not DP. You'll have fun getting G3 interference contacts to work if you've never done them, probably overkill. *SC570 should manage on steel they have a decent magnet, tho it's not ideal it affects gap of contacts unless they are designed to be mounted on steel. Depends on the door, containing steel would be different from a steel door. *They could be wired in if they are clean contacts, you'd have to program as Auxiliary or something as there is no "Flood" zone type. *You'd use a "Viper" shock sensor for doors and windows, something like a VIPER or Impaq. Consider risk of external false alarms like bird strikes. Why Premier 88 over a 48? ComIP for programming?

I don't go anywhere near Hik myself. Most of the people looking for help on here from ZA have been using Texecom with the occasional Honeywell Galaxy so both must be options out there. Paradox is more of a US/CA brand so not known in UK/EU markets like Texecom or Galaxy.

You want the cab to either stay on the wall or come off as a whole unit, not shear apart for the tamper to be guaranteed to work. Panel tamper being triggered vital to sending a tamper or confirmed to ARC in good time for all system designs. It's not about the damage to the system often the panel and nearby wiring is likely wrecked anyway. We all know as installers, taking stuff apart the way it's suppose to is the quickest way to isolate but that would always require some knowledge and importantly trigger the tamper. Metal cab would usually have a back tamper mechanism as required by G3 but you can't put wireless in a metal cab. Your not going to achieve the standard holes your aspiring to. It's just a non-issue as well TBH, rarely can I not get cables into a takeover easily and on those occasions I'd usually blame the stupid installer that did the last panel not the kit. We are engineers I'm not aspiring to a velcro backed DIY box with no arse end for ease of cable entry. You seem to have many complaints about price, I can say for the R8 example as I fit Texe; why would they provide a budget DIY panel that no decent installer should be fitting any more with an app that they would get no ROI from... Touchscreen and apps all user driven gimmicks IMO, they drive up the price but add minimal functionality. I honestly think the functionality you get for your money is decent but much of it gets under sold or utilised.

It's nice to have stability tho, pushing out new but flaky software over and over leave people with no confidence in the product. People like consistency...however. I agree on the RCBO's topic but it's not too comparable, the new standards have forced this and old sparks just want to do the same old thing they did years ago but houses are different. Alarm controls don't aim to improve (electrical/fire) safety in that way and there is much less margin.

You haven't been to many systems post-burglary then. Your clearly missing the point... Again, from experience fitting kit with 45 degree terminals in awkward spaces, try it. In some places I'd prefer normal decent quality sprung terminals for some things.

A panel cab like swiss cheese will have no strength when Billy burglar comes to try and pull it off the wall. 45 degree downward terminals can be annoying in some instances, if your up against a ceiling for example. How many manufacturers do fit to say no-one has the perfect panel?

Forget the size of the house, what's included in the contract and what components make up the full system? Full comp, Parts, mid term call out fees, signalling, remote assistance, out of hours etc- included? The house could be massive but you only have a front door contact... Every company is different, you need to carefully check what your getting for your money so your not comparing apples to oranges.

You are incorrect on several points, it's standard policy for companies to not disclose the engineering code to end users. End users should not have access to engineering functions as the maintaining company is liable for the programming and function thereof, covered in the standards. It's also argued the programming is IP of the company as you would have no system without it, whoever installs/maintains it designs/adjusts every system as required. You can leave to another maintainer without any codes as long as you are fully paid up and finished any contract terms, you can find someone else competent to work on that system. It does seem expensive for the system you describe, so I wouldn't be surprised if your paying for more than you think, like basic signalling. What exactly are you unhappy with about the service, apart from the price?

It seems places that fit it deal with Risco direct, fit Risco everything and wear Risco underwear...

It's probably said in jest but I don't think it's sensible to not disclose the panel. I wouldn't want to take on a Risco panel either but that doesn't mean I wouldn't visit site or at least speak to them on the phone. You don't explain what you have done to it to break it?

Faulty sensor, the panel won't be far behind if it's not been serviced.

I assume it was installed and designed to operate by them and they had the liability if something was wrong, so they will protect this. It's not holding the equipment to ransom, you can do what you want, as you have. Many would argue programming is IP of the company, as you have a useless bag of wires without it. It's all in the manual but that doesn't mean you know what to do with it. We can't give you a defined answer beyond the output we spoke about, we didn't design the system. Maybe take the wire out of OP3 for now...

Driving for a job in your later years becomes much more hassle. Annual or bi-annual (depending on what you can drive) license renewals, medicals etc. They may not say there is an upper limit but your job application is likely to get filed in the bin.

It all depends what other skillsets you have that you naturally fall into. It's always sensible to have an exit plan, but whatever you do you'll want to prioritise enjoying it. If it's your business, get a lad on and train him up to takeover? You finish and find a management position that you can use your experience without the physical? As H says above, drive a van all day (shopping, wholesalers, couriers) but consider they may have an upper age limit? I'll think you already realised the option that you'll likely just keep plodding on looking after your best customers and wind down new work over time.

Also considering millennials are the majority generation your going to do well to right them off...

Blame the generation that brought them up...

Been a while since I programmed a 9x5x, pretty sure default for these is OP1 Bell, OP2 Strobe, OP3 Detector Latch. Who knows what else isn't programmed correctly now it's been defaulted...

All inputs and outputs are programmable. If you cleared the programming then the defaults may not be compatible with the system design OOTB.

You've defaulted everything and whatever is making a noise is now not programmed correctly. Check what's wired in and how it's programmed.

It's not the right type of aluminium for bending clean. Not sure why I would ever need 45 but anything complicated I'd probably consider 20mm.

If your 11, ASCII is were the 1337 kids at.

Either use a proper powered RIO or power it from the panel. If the RIO BUS can't take all the stuff your connecting to it, wire it seperate. 12V power is common for all of the BUS. External sirens are generally wired seperate back to the panel in most instances, the tamper return has to get back to something.