atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Security, Alarms and Paging Simple door contact with Loudspeaker

Does anyone have any suggestions on a small stand alone system I'm trying to put together for a friend of mine. All he really needs is a keypad to arm /disable, 1 door contact, and a loudspeaker that will sound if/when the door is opened. Nothing to shnazzy. Thanks in advance.

Radio Shack has everything you need

Keyapad
door contact
power supply
siren horn

I would seriously consider not keeping it that simple. You really should have a control board of some sort. Even a small 4 zone panel is not that expensive.

The problem of hooking a siren up directly is that there will be no "time-out" circuit. If it trips, it would wail forever. Also, a panel will give you battery back-up as well.

twisted pair nailed it. A small 4 zone system is the way to go, and you can always add a motion sensor and glassbreak to the mix. The big thing is the time out. Let's say you are away for a week, and on the day you leave your system trips...you will have some very unhappy neighbors with that wailing for a week..not to mention any fines or things like that.

You could get a simple timer (altronix I think) from graybar and do it the "simple" way but by the time you do all of that you could have purchased a small panel for about the same $$. IMHO

Thanks for the replys guys. I appreciate the help. Do I need to go through an alarm dealer to get a small panel? Any recomendations of manufacturers? When I first got into the teleco industry I started as an alarm installer. Basicly just pre wire, but did install a few panels. That was years ago and have not messed around with any since. I think they were Magnum Alert.

If you go with something other than a Radio Shack panel you will have to get whichever panel you want through a security system company. That is, unless you have an account with someone like ADI.

As far as panels go they are pretty much alike in the features and functionality. It's more of a personal preference I think.

Personally, I like DSC panels but that's because I know them very well and to me they are a breeze to program.

Here is a catalog of DSC products for your convenience. The first panel that caught my attention you may want to look at is the Power 432 on page one.
https://www.dsc.com/assets/pdfs/DscSource.pdf

You could use a Magnum, the MA1000 is the smallest in that line (7 zones) and they only have LCD keypads. It would be a little more expensive, but it is a more substantial alarm. Napco also have their Gemini line. The smallest there is 8 zones but it will be cheaper than the Magnum.

That DSC catalogue that Bobby posted is on it's way out. They have replaced their 4, 6, and 8-32 zone panels.

I agree, the DSC 432 would be perfect if you can still find one. It is a 4 zone inexpensive panel. It is being replaced with the PC1616 which is now 6 zones but if they still have a 432, grab it. The keypads are backwards compatible now anyway. Use the slim line LED5511 or if you can't find it yet, the PK5508 or the old PC5508 keypad. You will be able to program it up yourself with a little reading since you have a bit of experience with that.

Next choice would be the Paradox 728 panel. It's a 4 zone as well but may be a little harder to program. Use the 646 keypad for this one.

Next the Caddx NX4 with the NX108 keypad.