How Do I Use the Chime By Zone Function for a Honeywell VISTA P-Series Panel?

You can use the Chime By Zone function for a Honeywell VISTA P-Series Panel by establishing Zone List No. 03 in *81 programming and then adjusting the feature itself in the *26 field. All of the zones that you added to Zone List No. 03 in *81 programming will have the *26 settings applied.

The Chime feature is a popular option that can be toggled on or off by entering a command at the panel's keypad. If you aren't familiar with chimes, they are just a quick sound emitted from the system's keypad to let you know when a sensor has faulted. This option is toggled by entering a valid 4-digit code plus the Chime [9] Key. By default, all zones programmed with the zone types of Entry/Exit (Zone Types 01 and 02) and Perimeter (Zone Type 03) will produce a chime sound when opened while the Chime feature is toggled on.

The Chime By Zone feature is basically a method for setting only certain sensors to produce a chime on a VISTA System. This feature is set up in such a way that you can choose which system zones will produce chimes for sensor faults, and which ones will not have a chime. Even with this programming, only zones with the zone types mentioned above will chime. Because of the way this is configured on VISTA Panels, you will need to use both the *81 programming field and the *26 programming field.

Please note that since menu-driven programming is required here, you must have an Alphanumeric Keypad. You will know that you have an Alphanumeric Keypad because "Installer Code 20" will be displayed when you enter programming. If you only see "20" when you enter programming, then you have a Fixed English Keypad. You must then exit programming with [*99] and try again when you have an Alphanumeric Keypad. For this FAQ, we will assume that you already have the proper keypad.

Complete the following steps to set up the Chime By Zone function for a Honeywell VISTA P-Series Panel:

1. Enter programming. On your Alphanumeric Keypad, enter in the command [Installer Code] + [8] + [00]. The default Installer Code for a Honeywell VISTA System is 4112. In most cases, you will enter [4112] + [8] + [00]. The message "Installer Code 20" will be displayed, indicating that you have accessed programming.

2. Create a Zone List. Start by entering [*81]. This will take you into the programming field for creating Zone Lists.

You will then be asked to choose a Zone List Number. The Zone List Number associated with the Chime By Zone function is Zone List Number 03. Zone Lists are expressed in two (2) digits, so that is why we refer to this Zone List as Zone List No. 03 instead of just Zone List No. 3. Enter [03] + [*] to tell the system that you want to work with Zone List No. 03. You can then begin adding individual system zones to Zone List No. 03.

Zones are also expressed in two (2) digits. So Zone 1 is really "01", Zone 2 is "02", etc. Enter each two-digit Zone Number for each zone that you want to use with the Chime By Zone feature, followed by the [*] key after each zone. It doesn't matter whether an added zone is hardwired or wireless, as they are set up the same way in this case. You just need to be very careful and ensure that you are entering the correct zone number(s), followed by [*] after each zone. Once you have finished entering all the desired zones, enter [00] + [*] to complete the zone adding process.

To provide a helpful example, let's say that you only wanted to use Zone 4 and Zone 20 with the Chime By Zone function. In that case, you would enter [04] + [*] + [20] + [*] + [00] + [*].

Upon entering [00], the system will give you a chance to correct your mistakes when building the Zone List. It will first ask you if you want to delete, or clear, the Zone List that you just built. Assuming that you do not want to delete your hard work, press [0] for NO, followed by the [*] key to confirm your selection.

The system will then give you the opportunity to delete a specific zone from the Zone List that you constructed. This is very useful if you were not careful earlier, and you accidentally added an undesired zone to the Zone List. If you do not have any zones you want to delete from the Zone List, just enter [0] for NO, followed by [*] to confirm. But if you have at least one zone that you added that you have now decided you want to delete, press [1] for YES, followed by [*] to confirm. You will then be able to delete zones from the list in the same way that you added them earlier. That is, enter the two-digit Zone Number for the zone you want to delete, followed by [*] to confirm that zone. Once you have deleted all of the desired zones, enter [00] + [*] to finish deleting zones.

After you have pressed [0] to tell the system that you don't want to delete any zones from the Zone List, or you have finished deleting the desired zones, then the actual process for building Zone List No. 03 is complete. You will be taken back to the screen where the system asks you to choose a Zone List Number. Just press [00] to go back into the main programming menu so you can go to a different programming field.

3. Configure the feature. Now that Zone List No. 03 is configured, you can now set the actual Chime By Zone feature. This is done in programming field [*26]. As such, you will enter [*] + [26]. This will bring you to the Chime By Zone programming field.

The amount of options you have available will vary depending on the panel's Firmware Version, which is determined by its PROM Chip. If you aren't familiar with PROM Chips and determining panel firmware by examining the PROM Chip, then please see this FAQ to help you. For a VISTA-15P or VISTA-20P, you will have full access to the settings, as long as your panel is running Firmware Version 9.12 or higher. For a VISTA-21iP or VISTA-21iPLTE, then the minimum firmware needed to get full access to the Chime By Zone settings is Firmware Version 2.0.

If you have a 15P or 20P on less than 9.12, or a 21iP or 21iPLTE on less than 2.0, then the process is very simple. Once you have entered field [*26], then enter [1] to turn the Chime By Zone feature ON. You will hear a triple beep to confirm you have filled this single entry field. You can then continue to Step 4 in this FAQ. Alternatively, you could instead enter [0] + [*] to turn the feature OFF.

But for most users, the system will be on a high enough firmware version that more complex options are available. In this case, you will actually make two (2) entries for programming field *26. We will cover the entirety of both entries. Keep in mind that your selection for Entry 1 has absolutely nothing to do with your selection for Entry 2, and vice-versa. The entries just happen to be in the same programming field.

For Entry 1:

• [1] - Chime By Zone will be enabled.
• [2] - Communication Device (LRR) trouble sounding will be enabled.
• [4] - System low-battery trouble will be enabled.
• [7] - All of the above will be enabled.
• [0] - None of the above will be enabled.

For Entry 2:

• [1] - RF supervision sound will be enabled.
• [2] - RF low-battery sound will be enabled.
• [4] - RF jam sound will be enabled.
• [7] - All of the above will be enabled.
• [0] - None of the above will be enabled.

Once you have made selections for both Entry 1 and Entry 2, you can continue to the next step.

4. Exit programming. You have now successfully configured the Chime By Zone feature for your Honeywell VISTA Security System! You can now exit programming by entering [*99]. Always use [*99] to exit programming on a VISTA System. Using a different command could cause you to become locked out of programming later on.

5. Turn on chime. Entering and exiting programming will automatically toggle the Chime feature OFF. If you wish to use the Chime By Zone feature, you will need to toggle it back ON. Do this by entering a [Valid 4-Digit Code] + [9 or Chime]. To disable Chime, simply enter the same command. Doing so will toggle the feature back OFF.