DIY home security?

[Photonfanatic]

Hi all. I thought that this might be an appropriate forum to post this. Seeing as how there are so many do it yourselfers around here. What got me thinking about this was how cheap all the little sensors are. You can get sensors that will send a signal when a door or window opens, or when glass breaks, for dirt cheap. They're so cheap, that they're almost not even noteworthy when it comes to cost. However, if you were to attempt to put together your own home security system, how hard would it be? Being a standard "computer guy" my first thought is that you'd have a program running 24/7 on a highly efficient, power sipping system. Something like a raspberry pi, although that particular system might not be ideal, I have no idea at this point.

So you'd have all your sensors, that were cheap. But there are still a few hurdles to get over. At least for someone like me anyway, who has next to know experience with building security systems. So I'll just number them.

1. How would you get your sensors to wirelessly talk to the computer program which was monitoring them? No one really wants to run 50 new wires through their attic, once for each window and door. Do some of the sensors actually have wireless capability? The cheaper ones didn't really mention anything about it.

2. Where would you get the computer program? I'm assuming that somewhere out there, there is a program that can be purchased that will tell you when something trips a sensor. But it also has to sound a loud, audible alarm, and call the police and play back an automated message. This is what those other security companies do.

3. You'd need a keypad for disabling it, at your front and back doors. How would that tie in? I'm assuming this keypad would work with the computer program that's running the show. Any thoughts on this?


And other than that... well I think that's all there is. Would you consider this an adequate home security system for a typical suburban home? Its got sensors that tell you if any window or door is opened, and glass break sensors on the windows. You trip one, and the loud alarm goes off in the house, and the computer program calls the police. And of course, when they pick up, the hear an automated message just like they do with ADT and the rest. I know that ADT has live monitoring, but I can live without that. To me, that's not such a big deal. The system also has keypads at the entryway doors, which allow the homeowners to enter a code and disarm the system, or rearm it, depending on what they want to do at the time. This system is simple, of course, but often times simple is all you really need. Thoughts? Opinions?

[SunEagle]

Hi all. I thought that this might be an appropriate forum to post this. Seeing as how there are so many do it yourselfers around here. What got me thinking about this was how cheap all the little sensors are. You can get sensors that will send a signal when a door or window opens, or when glass breaks, for dirt cheap. They're so cheap, that they're almost not even noteworthy when it comes to cost. However, if you were to attempt to put together your own home security system, how hard would it be? Being a standard "computer guy" my first thought is that you'd have a program running 24/7 on a highly efficient, power sipping system. Something like a raspberry pi, although that particular system might not be ideal, I have no idea at this point.

So you'd have all your sensors, that were cheap. But there are still a few hurdles to get over. At least for someone like me anyway, who has next to know experience with building security systems. So I'll just number them.

1. How would you get your sensors to wirelessly talk to the computer program which was monitoring them? No one really wants to run 50 new wires through their attic, once for each window and door. Do some of the sensors actually have wireless capability? The cheaper ones didn't really mention anything about it.

2. Where would you get the computer program? I'm assuming that somewhere out there, there is a program that can be purchased that will tell you when something trips a sensor. But it also has to sound a loud, audible alarm, and call the police and play back an automated message. This is what those other security companies do.

3. You'd need a keypad for disabling it, at your front and back doors. How would that tie in? I'm assuming this keypad would work with the computer program that's running the show. Any thoughts on this?


And other than that... well I think that's all there is. Would you consider this an adequate home security system for a typical suburban home? Its got sensors that tell you if any window or door is opened, and glass break sensors on the windows. You trip one, and the loud alarm goes off in the house, and the computer program calls the police. And of course, when they pick up, the hear an automated message just like they do with ADT and the rest. I know that ADT has live monitoring, but I can live without that. To me, that's not such a big deal. The system also has keypads at the entryway doors, which allow the homeowners to enter a code and disarm the system, or rearm it, depending on what they want to do at the time. This system is simple, of course, but often times simple is all you really need. Thoughts? Opinions?

Most home security systems use a combination of magnetic switches mounted on doors and windows and motion detectors. They all communicate to the "control panel" using 2.4 mHz which is the same for most home wireless modems.

You can purchase a packaged system (from a company like ADT for next to nothing if you pay a monthly monitoring fee. There are other packages that you can buy and install everything but it is not connected to any monitoring system. These are a little more costly.

You don't need to build these things or write the computer software from scratch. It has already been done for you. You just have to do some research and pricing to determine what type of quality your components should be and what you want to spend to feel secure.

[Photonfanatic]

I know but I don't really want to pay a monthly fee. Its the reason why I'm a member of this forum as well lol. Plus I like the feeling I get when I built something myself. Personally I don't mind not having ADT's monitoring, they're not going to stop that criminal over the phone. The big thing that their system does can be made automated, which is calling the cops and then when someone picks up, playing a pre-recorded message. To me, this doesn't sound like something that would be all that complicated, but of course I don't know all the ins and outs. You can buy the little sensors, and you can buy the keypads. I already own a computer. Now, all I need is the software. At least, that's how I think it should work lol.

[green]

This one looks like what you are describing. No monthly fee, Wireless, ability to add on. I might get this for myself

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Securityman-Deluxe-Kit-of-D-I-Y-Wireless-Smart-Home-Alarm-System-Air-AlarmIIDL/204230350#.UgVNVugo6cw

[Jeffw1]

What SE said is common sense! Look at fleabay and buy a Texecom, Scantronic or Meniver control panel (forget Ade or cheap ones I wouldn’t have them in a dog house) and add some good grade 3 quad PIRS, 1-2 hundred metre of 6 core cable and if you want some reed switches (magnetic door contacts) a few window vibration detectors and install your own system for a lot less headache and expense. Probably £200 or $200 all in, if you know what you are buying off fleabay.

The beauty of alarm components you can mix and match, unless you start getting into comm modules. (and ADT is nothing more than a signal going through your phone line to a monitoring service you pay 15-20 per month so if an alarm goes off they call the police)

Bear in mind most panels operate on a quick blow 1 amp fuse, so check the milliamps on the PIRS carefully what they draw, and if you use a bell box watch out for the draw in standby mode and alarm mode as this could blow your fuse.

A bell box may draw 120 milliamps, but in alarm mode 400-600 milliamps. To over come this you can switch to a SAB or SCB (SAB draws power from the panel, SCB from the on board bell boxes capacitor) or buy an extra 2 amp PSU

If you want to alert your neighbours wire in a Master Blaster on a 12 volt relay, (outside only) nobody ignores a Master Blaster…..I’ve pissed off more than enough neighbours over the years with mine.

However, if you want to really go ahead I’ll give you some hints, look into ZigBee and or X10 (use google) and to program use the Scratch or Sense GUI programming language (again use google) and an Arduino board.

Your best option is Java, but if you don’t wish to spend years and the cost locked into a BSc Hons degree the above are your best options.

ZipBee is best, low power consumption and it’s a communication with 256 bits send within 10-100 metres on a mesh hybrid system (just use a typical NC ‘normally closed loop’ NO ‘Normally open’ are pressure pads, and monitor to send 1 bit constant, if a sensor trips flip this to 0 and activate an alarm condition)

So is it possible? Yep, but the time, effort and money you will spend will far out way the cost of just buying an off the shelf solution.

Buy an off the shelve system it’s cheaper (and NEVER go wireless you will regret it...) and you will enjoy the learning curve wiring it together. (point to note for ceilings do a nice wire drop down, i.e lift the floor boards, measure and drill down, also keep your wires a good 12 inches away from mains cables, look at a company called Act and buy a small surge/spike suppressor to cover for FA, false alarms)

I’m in a real grumpy mood as the house I was looking at and after a 4 hour drive there and back, 8 hours today, the SOB didn’t turn up….Right bed then I’m going on vacation with my daughter in the morning.

[Photonfanatic]

This one looks like what you are describing. No monthly fee, Wireless, ability to add on. I might get this for myself

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Securitym...0#.UgVNVugo6cw

That looks very close to what I am looking for. I didn't know that small simple ones were made, so I thought I was going to have to build the whole thing from scratch.

JeffW1, I read your whole post but I am afraid that I did not understand most of it. I don't know what most of those acronyms stand for. I assume you are a professional security system installer? Do you think that I could just buy the one from home depot that green linked, and expand on it a little bit? The only thing it doesn't do that I want, is call the cops. Perhaps I could buy an autodialer, and mooch off of the signal going to the speakers, when the alarm is going off? For example: The alarm system is triggered. Its going to send a signal to those speakers, to fill the house with sound. But, I got a wire mooching off of the speaker wire, that is going into my auto dialer. The autodialer gets the signal, calls the cops, and plays the message.

What are your thoughts on this?

Also, thanks for letting me know about the Master Blaster. That's a good idea! Never thought of that. I'll get the neighbors help, involuntarily! LOL!


EDIT: Here is an example of inexpensive autodialer software that might serve my purposes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Cc-_TNhM0

[russ]

Home security is really expensive and really hard thing to install looking for a cheap one might be a bad idea cause the quality is also cheap.

You can save the cost of labor - if one is so inclined and skilled.

[Photonfanatic]

I'd like to bump for my last questions. Also, what is so wrong with the wireless sensors? Looks like the professional installer doesn't like them.

[SunEagle]

I'd like to bump for my last questions. Also, what is so wrong with the wireless sensors? Looks like the professional installer doesn't like them.

My wireless system works fine now that I have changed the channel on my wireless router. Prior to that there seemed to be some type of conflict which would cause the connection to my laptop to drop.

[Photonfanatic]

Once you change the channel on the router, do you have to do anything to your devices? Or will they automatically pick up, and start using the channel? Did you have to do anything to your laptop?

[SunEagle]

Once you change the channel on the router, do you have to do anything to your devices? Or will they automatically pick up, and start using the channel? Did you have to do anything to your laptop?

I just changed the primary channel on my router to 4.

I didn't have to do anything at all to the computers or cell phones. All of my laptops and cell phones found and connected to the router once the wep code was sent.

I haven't had any issues since.

[Photonfanatic]

Nice. I wish JeffW1 would come back and talk more.

[geebus]

I've had a cheap wireless 'all in one' alarm system before and been happy with it.
It used a (at a guess, I haven't checked) 1-2a 12v power supply, so shouldn't be too bad to run from a battery and small solar panel - presumably mostly it uses less than that.
As well as lots of wireless sensors, also has remotes and takes a sim card so it will call and text you when it's activated, as well as being controllable remotely.

[Beachnut]

I bought one of these SimpliSafe systems and could not be happier with it!

Mod note - link removed

You can build and order exactly what you want. I started with the "Deluxe" system, then added extra sensors to it to fully cover my home. They pre-program all of it, and send it out ready to install, right out of the box. I have since added another motion detector, and it is really a snap to add on what ever you want. The Joy of this system is it is wireless, you can take it with you if you move, it is cellular for monitoring, notification, and can also use a hard line phone to back up the cellular if the Sprint network is not available in your location. It also has battery back up, for power failures. I have the base unit set up in a closet, (where a previous hard wire alarm system once was), and it really gives you a peace of mind knowing that all the doors are monitored, the garage & basement have motion detectors, and you can even select to have some or all of the motion detectors on while in the "home" mode and not just on in the "away" mode. I put the "water detector" in my basement, so if a pipe breaks, it will alarm. All of this can run with or without the $14 dollar a month monitoring, which includes being able to arm and disarm with your cell phone. Seeing I do not want monitoring when we are home, they said I could add monitoring when ever I need it, even for just one month when on vacation, then cancel the monitoring when we return from a vacation. So your not locked into a monthly contract, but only when you do not need it. I find I sleep so much more soundly knowing the alarm is active, in the "home mode". If that alarm ever goes off, the burglar better be way more worried about me, well armed,, than any alarm making noise!! The 105DB siren is so loud,, I leave it off (batteries out), unless we are going on vacation as the base unit makes plenty of noise to wake me up with just its 58DB siren, and let anyone in the house know their presence is known.

[Naptown]

A house I lived in years ago we were broken into twice. First time it was the neighbor kid who was feeding the cats while we were away.
Got a bunch of stuff the first time.
Second time nothing was missing but was a short time past the first.
We got am alarm system.
Never turned it on after the first six months.
The stickers and yard signs were enough
We still have the yard signs and have moved them twice with no incidents.
Last house had an alarm but the previous owner had no idea of the codes to turn it on or off. We were deep in the woods next to a very rough public housing project and the hard signs worked.
We also had dogs to alert us to anything on the property and were well armed.