Anyone have experience with security systems? I removed an old school mercury thermostat the security company had there as a low temp sensor. Basically if the temp went below the setting it would trigger a call to the alarm co.
Broke the mercury one removing it. Do I just get a programmable thermostat to replace it? Security company wants $90 plus $50 for a “alarm low temp part” to come out and put it in. If its just a regular programmable thermostat, I can buy and install that myself.
Good part about the old school mercury one was that it didnt need a battery. Bought a digital one that didnt need a battery but it didnt work. My next guess is to just get a programmable one that takes a battery.
Any ideas? Am I overlooking something?
Replies
The battery is to "remember" the programs in case of power failure. Just like the battery in your PC.
You might check at one of the security stores. It seems to me that a regular thermostat will not trigger a call.
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/?engine=adwords!276&keyword=%28alarm+store%29&match_type=
http://www.home-technology-store.com/
http://www.alarmsuperstore.com/
Are three that I have looked at, but never used.
"Any ideas? Am I overlooking something?"
Yes, lots of stuff.
First why PROGRAMABLE?
The second is what is the action? Does it close or open on cold?
And 3rd what is the desired temp range.
This one is fixed 39 degrees and closes on cold.
http://homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=705
This one has adjustable temps and both a NO and NC contacts.
I dont really care about the programmable but since you cant buy the old mercury analog types any longer, all that I saw otherwise was the programmable kind. Figured I could just set it to "HOLD" at the desired temp and if it fell below that level it would trigger the alarm system to call.
Needs to trigger if it gets too cold.
"Needs to trigger if it gets too cold."Define TRIGGER.If I am not mistaken most alarms can be setup to trigger on closed or open. But you don't want to get into chancing the setup of the alarm controller.Don't know if there is common "standard" on cold alarms are not.
All you need is a thermostat with a set of contacts that close (or open, depending on how the system is set up) when the temperature falls below the set point. I usually specify them to close on falling temperature, but you'll have to check to see how your particular security system is set up.
Here's a typical device - a Dayton t'stat from the Grainger catalog. It sells for about $35. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?xi=xi&ItemId=1611632368&ccitem=
The one that Bill posted above is even cheaper and should work just fine, too.
Edited 1/23/2006 11:14 am ET by Stuart
The problem with that stat is that designed for line control. The contacts might not work very well on a dry circuit.
I haven't had any problems in the past with that particular Dayton temp switch (or similar ones from Honeywell, etc.) At least around here, it's a pretty standard device used for low temp sensing on industrial and municipal projects; I've specified them on probably a couple hundred different jobs.
I forgot to mention...the old style mercury thermostats (like the standard round Honeywells) are still available, although maybe they've banned them in your area. Grainger sells a variety of them for $25-$35.