Guardtec 800 upgrade question

[kudos]

I have a property with a quite old Guardtec 800 system in it. Its been maintained over the years by a local security company and during that time a couple of the PIR sensors have been replaced. All in all, it still works fine.

 

Ive gotten to to the stage it would be nice to bring things a little more up to date and have remote access on a mobile phone to Set/Un-Set the alarm and also get alarm notifications. Obviously I appreciate there is a lot more that modern systems can do, but those things I list are the real focus of what I need. As a secondary option it would be nice to have some form of API connectivity so I could connect it into a home automation system for alerts and the set/un-set, but this is a very minor concern.

 

Im 99% sure that everyone will say "just replace the board with a new one" and from what I can tell, the company that installed/maintained this alarm now use Texecom systems.

What I would like to know before I approach them is:

1) Will/should a new Texecom alarm panel work with:
    - My current PIR sensors

    - My current Door sensors

    - My current Alarm siren box

 

I suspect the answer is yes with the PIR and door sensors and I am uncertain about the Alarm siren.

 

2) Is there any way with the current Guardtech to get access into its UART/Serial port and send set/un-set commands as well as alarm alerts or is the tech that allowed that possibility the preserve of dead technology OR only authorised to Professional installers by Risco (whom I understand bought Guardtec back in 200X).

Thanks in advance for any answers.

[sixwheeledbeast]

1) In most cases yes but updating them should be considered.

I would usually say on a takeover upgrade ideal is to replace the electronics and test the wiring is sound for re-use.

2) Forget the Gardtec if you need to update.

It EOL, better to replace at your convenience before your forced to by a failure.

[PeterJames]

Hi Yes to all your questions re the kit and Texe.

 

The 800 is quite an old panel and long obsolete now. there are varios outputs on the panel itself I doubt you will get anything useful from the serial that panel predates SIA and only sent pin outs, but you can program a zone as a keyswitch to arm disarm it.

I dont install Texe as a rule but I do know that the premier does talk to a specific home automation system but I cant remember what it is.

 

Personally I use home assistant and a input output module from my alarm panel is connected to my server via ESP 32.  But I only use it to switch my lights on and off etc no more than that. The panel I use comes with its own app which is probably a more secure and reliable way to notify me when the alarm has activated etc

[kudos]

@PeterJames@sixwheeledbeast Thanks for your replies. Really appreciated. I guess I will give it a think over on my christmas break and have a chat with the local installer company in the new year.

 

Have a good christmas/new year.