Help Required with Burglar Alarm (If Possible)

[geoffp]

As this is my first post here please excuse me if I have posted in the wrong place, I am now retired aged 72 and my home was recently burgled, I have bought a cheap second hand wireless burglar alarm system from ebay, it has no installation manual with the kit.

It contains 6 wireless PIR's, 1 smoke detector, Control Panel, Remote Control and Bell Box, I am hoping that someone on the forum would have heard of this system, it is:- EEC Home Security and the control panel is Type 10.683

Thanks in advance,

Geoff

 

[telectrix]

i'm sure a member or 3 is in the essex area , could install it for you. i'm not familiar with the make so can't offer any advice on line. have you tried googling the manufacturer?

 

[geoffp]

Many thanks, There are only bad reports of the company, they were highlighted on Watchdog years ago for conning O.A.p's and are now out of business.

 

[Stuuk1]

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=1113539

They appear to be a nightmare company!

 

[Stuuk1]

I can't find a single thing on those numbers you have given.

Are there any other details?

I know this isn't specific to your unit but may help..

http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/DIY/how-to-fit-a-wireless-burglar-alarm

I have only ever installed wired systems.

 

[telectrix]

think eec were the original installers. a pic . of the control panel would help.

 

[geoffp]

I will post a photo tomorrow, the daughter has my digi camera at the moment.

 

[telectrix]

i think you need 6 posts before you can add a pic. so rattle a few more off over the next 24 hours; LOL. :teeth_smile:


edit: if the keypad is separate, include it in the photo.

 

[Paul.M]

I've had a look at their web site and the alarm system that you have bought will be a bulk buy without the manufacturers logo on it but plastered with the EEC brand. You may find that it may not work without reprogramming it due to a telephone link needs to be supplied or it will have an in built mobile to call their call center (thats how companies like this make their money).

I would do a dry test once you have the instructions (take the front panel off and look for a proper manufacturers name and model number). Put it on a plug top and set up the PIR's, bellbox and keypad before you go to the trouble of installing it.

 

[geoffp]

Hi Paul, does this mean that I have wasted my pension? I was hoping that it would operate just as an alarm system, I must admit that you have me worried about this telephone link thing.

I have been chatting to the guy who sold me the system and apparently it was working up to a couple of weeks ago when it was removed from an old couples house

 

[telectrix]

be a good ideas to get the user code/s from him if you can. this will save a lot of trouble.

 

[Paul.M]

Hi Paul, does this mean that I have wasted my pension? I was hoping that it would operate just as an alarm system, I must admit that you have me worried about this telephone link thing.

I have been chatting to the guy who sold me the system and apparently it was working up to a couple of weeks ago when it was removed from an old couples house

Ask the guy who sold you it for the (his) code as Telectrix said above and also ask they guy if he was on a monthly monitoring contract? No big deal if it was because it can be linked out but you would need an alarm engineer to do it.

No need to worry about the points I've said, its just that I'm very cynical when it comes down to companies like this. My mother in-law is hooked up with one f these "service" contracts and its nothing I cant do within an hour whilst having a cup of tea. I'm just cynical about these things, thats all.

 

[telectrix]

even reputable companies tie you up to expensive monitoring/maintenance contracts. this eec company were using double glazing hard sell sales techniques to sell alarms. it's been going on for 30+years, but most have now been weeded out/closed down.

 

[geoffp]

It seems that the OAP who bought the system paid EEC £2500 for it plus £900 for a 3 year maint contract. he is now with ADT.

The system is armed and disarmed using a remote control (fob)

 

[Stuuk1]

How much did you pay out of interest?

 

[geoffp]

£45 plus postage

 

[telectrix]

well, that's a bargain if you can get it up and running.

 

[Paul.M]

even reputable companies tie you up to expensive monitoring/maintenance contracts. this eec company were using double glazing hard sell sales techniques to sell alarms. it's been going on for 30+years, but most have now been weeded out/closed down.

Yeap, I saw an advertisement on TV last week "£100 to install your alarm then £24.99 per month monitoring service + annual service (minimum 5 year contract)". Think I should do the same, install 100 alarms within the first year then sit back and wait for the false alarm phone calls to come directly to me. Plus I could do the annual check = "you need a need battery love, that will be £79.99 + vat".

I started out in the game at 17 when ADT was ripping people off with timing switches in the pannel. I'm cynical about any company like these.

 

[geoffp]

Before I bought this system I must admit that I was thinking of joining ADT they wanted £199 to install plus £20 something monthly charge, I only get £90 a week pension so that idea went out the window.

It seems that craze around Harwich is buying ADT bell boxes and putting them up as a decoy

 

[telectrix]

if you can post a couple of pics tomorrow, we might be able to identify. if so, it's reasonably easy to get hold of the manual with most manufacturers. it might just be a simple matter of fixing all the bits up and relying on the existing programming.

 

[geoffp]

Many thanks Telectrix will do

 

[telectrix]

call me tel, everone else does ( that and some unrepeatable names i can't type for fear of a ban)

 

[decolad69]

if you can post a couple of pics tomorrow, we might be able to identify. if so, it's reasonably easy to get hold of the manual with most manufacturers. it might just be a simple matter of fixing all the bits up and relying on the existing programming.

I get the feeling this alarm system will be fitted and operational very soon ..... when you have the top of the forum guys fired up they get results ! If you were in my neck of the woods i would be only too happy to help.

Good luck with it, keep us posted.

 

[Stuuk1]

I think at the end if the day, it can't be too hard to sync a few PIR's with a panel..

£45 is great! I just paid £120 for my new one although its a wired one.

A lot of insurances nice companies require a monitored alarm, so its worth checking your insurance and renewing with a different company if they require it.

 

[telectrix]

and a usefull tip. never, ever, get house insurance and tell them you have an alarm, even if they offer a discount on the premium. tell the insurers you don't have an alarm. reason is, if they insure you on the basis that you have an alarm fitted, then you pop next door or out to the local shop, and don't set the alarm, then get burgled, the tight swines can refuse to pay out because you didn't set the alarm, be warned.

 

[Golden_Boy]

£45 plus postage

Wireless = lots of expensive batteries ?

 

[tazz]

Remember this company in Southport in the early 90s, and the install A1 RF8000 custom made, at A1 we got some bad complaints concening the cost to supply and install. will dig out my old manuals and see if i can get a photo on here in a few mins

 

[geoffp]

I am led to believe that this system was made by "Crowe"

 

[telectrix]

Wireless = lots of expensive batteries ?

i have a few wireless systems installed still going strong with original detector batteries 3 years old. supplier advises 2 years life. panel will warn when they go low.

 

[Stuuk1]

http://www.thecrowgroup.com/Download_Center/

 

[geoffp]

This is the package that I bought

 

[telectrix]

certainly looks like a crow runner series. not come across these before. crow have pdf downloads of manuals as link in previous post. well woth £45, even if you have to spend a bit getting it installed. there must be members near you who could do that.

 

[geoffp]

Had a bit of a result Tel, I emailed EEC asking them if they could give me any details about the system, this morning I received a "Users Guide" plus a glossy "Customer Operating Guide" but they could not help me with an Installation Guide so I am halfway there.

 

[Paul.M]

Geoff, you are a retired engineer Sir. Set this little lot up on a plug top with new batteries and have a play around with it, sure you will get it working. Then install it. Good luck with it

 

[geoffp]

Update on this saga, I have the control panel powered up and getting a few messages up:-

The date and time came up correct, did not have to reset,
Battery Low,
System Tamper,
Fuse/Output Fail

I cannot test with PIR's as I have to get batteries for them

 

[Stuuk1]

Tamper probably because you may have the cover off of the control panel.

I would continuity test each internal fuse also as that could be the cause of that message.

 

[telectrix]

tamper as above and/or links in tamper terminals missing. and battery low will probably clear once been on charge for a bit.

 

[geoffp]

Just checked the faults in the memory and the Tamper is showing up as:-
Output Tamper, Output 2
Not sure what that would be

 

[boomboom]

Hi geoff, i used to work for eec when they started installing the runnet alarms (please dont hold that against me!!). The tamper fault is due to the tamper switch on one of the PIR detectors, zone 2 was normally the hall. the memoryindication is showing activations, probably the tamper switches. Press the MEM button press the down arrow 2 or 3 times then ok and that should clear. with regards to programming eec had their own engineera code to access this. For obvious reasons i cant put that on here but please contact me and i will help you
The alarm doesnt need to be connected to the phone line, there is a dialler function which can be turned off and the numbers deleted. You can contact me on [email protected].
The alarm system is a good one and has large capabilities, however it is easy to program, as said before you can download the manual from the crowe website. Speak soon

 

[boomboom]

Just checked the faults in the memory and the Tamper is showing up as:-
Output Tamper, Output 2
Not sure what that would be

ive quoted aswell so you see my response

 

[tazz]

Hi geoff, i used to work for eec when they started installing the runnet alarms (please dont hold that against me!!). The tamper fault is due to the tamper switch on one of the PIR detectors, zone 2 was normally the hall. the memoryindication is showing activations, probably the tamper switches. Press the MEM button press the down arrow 2 or 3 times then ok and that should clear. with regards to programming eec had their own engineera code to access this. For obvious reasons i cant put that on here but please contact me and i will help you
The alarm doesnt need to be connected to the phone line, there is a dialler function which can be turned off and the numbers deleted. You can contact me on [email protected].
The alarm system is a good one and has large capabilities, however it is easy to program, as said before you can download the manual from the crowe website. Speak soon

That is a great response to someone asking for advice and a commend you for your response, well done M8

 

[geoffp]

Many thanks BoomBoom I tried to email you at the address posted but it was returned undeliverable
my email is [email protected]

 

[geoffp]

Hi All,

I have now got all of the PIR's mounted, the panel is mounted but cannot continue until I know where and what to connect in the Outside Siren (Bell Box)

The System is the "Crow Runner Series" and the siren is the "Crow Neptune Type" I have downloaded the manuals but there is no tie up details between the two.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions so far, will keep you informed.

Geoff

 

[geoffp]

These are the markings in the Siren Box

Arm....ARM Indication LED's Trigger (-)

FL.....Power LED Trigger (-)

GO- .......Alarm Trigger (-)

GO+ ........Alarm Trigger (+)

Tamp
.......Tamper (NC)
Tamp

-12V
.......Supply Input 13.8 ~ 14.4 VDC
+12V

But there is no tie up with these letters in the control panel

 

[telectrix]

can you post a decent pic. of the terminals in the panel and the siren?

 

[geoffp]

I have tried to copy a page from the manual but the forum says its to large to post

 

[telectrix]

what are the terminals in the panel? if you post what they are, might be able to tie up with the above.

 

[geoffp]

This is the manual for the Control Panel Page 6

Installation & Configuration Runner Series
Runner2 Series


This is the manual for the Siren Page 2

Installation & User's Guide
NEPTUNE
NEPTUNE

and the url is Crow

 

[telectrix]

but how are the bell terminals described in the actual panel?

 

[geoffp]

That is the problem Tel I cannot see anything that ties in with the Bell Box connections

As far as I can tel Output 2 was for the Bell