atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Security, Alarms and Paging ademco compass

Is anyone familier with the ademco compass download software? I acidentially disabled a panel after downlaoding it's new programing (wanted to update the time and must have clicked disbale instead), Now I cannot get the modem to reconnect to try and enable the panel. Does anyone know how to enable the panel? I am also now unable to enter installer mode from the keypads

Never disabled a panel with compass, I presume it is to disable a non-pay account so it would also probably disable the installer access to the panel so they could not easily change companies. Have you tried going into programming the "other" way upon power up from the keypad instead of the installer code route?

Wow you guys are quick, actually It turns out I was having a modem issue the baud rate some how got changed and I was not getting a proper handshake with the panel, once I corrected that I was able to log back into the panel and re enable it. Panel is up and working properly.

Thanks for the quick response and tip.

You have to keep an eye on those modem settings, or least I did. We used compas for FBI panels too, and always had to switch setting back and forth. What modem do you use any way? We had one of the old Hayes Smartmodem 1200s but it finally give up the ghost. It's a shame the software and panels will not work with the newer modems.

tell me about it.. I broke down and bought the ademco compass modem. I use a usb to serial converter to connect it to my laptop. It works failry well, tonight was the first time I had trouble with it.

Keep your eyes open in those server rooms, that's where I normally find those old Hayes Smartmodems. The I.T. guys will give them to your for free too. There are a few manufacturers that only work with these modems. I also keep a laptop that has a real serial connector just for this. I find the USB adapters hit and miss to working properly.

I am finding the same thing about the USB adaptors, though the one I am using now is from key span, and is working real well. I do need to pick up a new laptop in teh future I think Dell still makes one with an available serial port.

Is their a way for me to connect to the panel with compass using the same phone line the panel is connected to? Currently I have two phone lines so I just plug the panel in to an RJ31X I have set up on the bench and dial in from the other line. I figure their has to be a way to connect to the panel without a second line. I have the direct connect cable but can never seem to get it to work properly.

At one time you could buy an adapter from them that lets you connect diretly to the panels even without a phone line. It's been so long ago I don't remeber the part number or even what their exact name for it was. I only used the one we had a few times but it worked. If memory serves, I remember a little box with several wires with aligator clips to attach to the panel. The only reason I remeber this is because like everybody we alway mount our panels as high as possible, and with the weight of the computer cord the d@%*n clips would keep coming off about halfway through the upload/download.

I carry one of these in my service van: https://www.vikingelectronics.com/products/view_product.php?pid=38

Very handy to have. It simulates CO dial tone so you can connect your laptop modem and the alarm panel to it. On new installations or business relocations, often there are no working phone lines yet when I am installing a system. I have even used it to program voice dialers, plug the dialer and your buttset into it.