I recently purchased the Protector Plus security system which has a built-in horn. I'd like to test the system without the horn sounding so if I get a false alarm it won't annoy my neighbors when I'm not home. Does anyone know if I can just cut the lines to the horn in the main console? Is this safe?

Also, would I be able to wire a switch to enable/disable the horn? I'm not an electronics wiz but I can solder the right components with the right instructions.

Lastly, anyone know of other modifications (or good links) to the main console that would make the horn less annoying (I have a separate siren module so disabling the horn is not a problem).

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!

Mike

The following is a good site that may have Links that will be of interest to you:

[Link: geocities.com]

Please email me any discoveries that you make with respect to the Protector Plus unit as I use one myself.

For the "horn" simply cut one of the wires to it. Or, as I did, put duct tape or a few layers of electrical tape over it. It is surprising how much less noise it will make.

Also, instead of the horn you could wire something to those wires such as a LED (with resistor) or flashing strobe, etc. Just check the voltage and keep the current low...

Let me know of any findings you make.

-CL

Chris,

I cut the wire to the horn and it seems to function normally.

Would you have suggestions in how to wire a volume-control?

How about somehow controlling the the length of time that the horn sounds (4 minutes is a little too long for my taste).

Thanks!

Mike

My problem with the Protector system is I cannot get the console to chime (in mode 2) when the motion sensor is tripped. It says you can in the manual, but is not possible.
I'm trying to find a work-around, with either a HawkeyeII sensor or remote chime unit, but am unsure if these will work with the security system.
Second problem is that my console is located too far from my front door, so when I want to leave and remotely arm the system I can barely hear if it arms (one ding) or not (either no ding or repeat dings for open zone).
Will a remote siren placed near the front door work with the Protector? Anyone with similar probs?

As a volume control on such piezo electric devices, the outcome is usually not great. Basically you could make a variable resistive circuit to drop the voltage (using a potentiometer).

but simpler than that would be to simply buy a small piezo siren or beeper at radio shack. very inexpensive...

The motion sensor does not work with chime mode (error in the manual). Only the Door/Window sensors do. So if you absolutely need this feature with a sensor you can either buy a regular PIR and wire it's normally closed contact to a door window sensor, or go to [Link: geocities.com] and see the modification done to the Hawkeye sensor to make it a normally closed or open contact with the sensor, which you would also connect to a Door/Window sensor.

I recomment buying a regular PIR as this is far more reliable and there will be far less chance of false alarms (the Hawkeye is not the most reliable PIR, not intended for a burglar alarm!).

Can't hear the arm disarm chime. Move closer to the front door and buy a remote siren for the back. The remote siren ONLY triggers after the alarm has been set off and has been sounding for at least 5 seconds.

-CL