Home Security Blog

Hi DIYers! We haven't made an Alarm Grid Tips post in while, so we figured now was a good time. The tip for today is to always take pictures when swapping out a hardwired alarm control panel with a new one. A few clear and detailed pictures can help you greatly with rewiring later on.

If you have an older alarm system, there may be many benefits to upgrading to a newer model. A more advanced panel will allow for a greater number of zones and support for new functions and features. Many people upgrade so that they can access an interactive service platform like Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com. This will allow you to control your system and check its status remotely using a smartphone.

When a person makes a system upgrade, they will usually want to bring their existing sensors to their new setup if possible. Even if the panel itself is old and outdated, the sensors may still be perfectly suitable for regular use. It can be very expensive to buy a complete new set of sensors. And the user won't even need to move their sensors. They can remain in the same location and just wire-in with the new panel.

But if you have a complete hardwired system, then there are likely many sensors and other pieces of equipment running from various locations on the circuit board. Certain devices like sirens can require a surprisingly intricate setup, and it can be difficult to remember where everything goes. Even if you are just transferring sensors and other devices from one panel to another, the task can be surprisingly challenging without a visual aid.

For that reason, we recommend taking pictures before trying to bring over equipment from one panel to another. You don't need to take many, just enough to see where everything goes and where every connection ends up. In many cases, a new panel will follow a very similar wiring setup to the one it is replacing. By using your images as a guide, you will have a much easier time making a successful transition.

This same principle also applies if you are upgrading to a wireless system from a hardwired system. Wireless systems can support hardwired sensors by using wired to wireless converters. A wired to wireless converter works by connecting directly with hardwired sensors and sending out wireless signals to the panel on their behalf. The system will then recognize these wired sensors just like any regular wireless sensor.

Wiring sensors to a converter is actually very similar to wiring to a panel. The pictures of your old hardwired setup will be surprisingly helpful when connecting to a wired to wireless converter. You can check the pictures to see which wire goes to which terminal and even make sure the backup power supply is connected correctly. By placing the converter in the old location of the previous panel, all the sensors can remain in the same spot and easily connect with the converter(s).

So if you are ever upgrading from an older hardwired system, make sure to take some pictures first! We hope this basic tip was helpful to some DIY installers out there. Keep checking our blog for more Alarm Grid Tips in the future.

Hi DIYers! It's hard to believe, but it's already May. Time sure flies doesn't it? Summer is quickly approaching and now is a great time to buy temperature sensors for your home. This way, you can be quickly notified if your home's AC system is ever not cooling the building properly.

Temperature sensors aren't just for letting you know about low-temperatures. They can also let you know about unusually high temperatures that would only occur if the AC went out. This is great for ensuring that the house you come home to is nice and comfortably. There's nothing worse than ending your day only to find that your AC went out and your home is uncomfortably hot! Our temperature sensors are also great for pairing with smart thermostats, which can often send you remote alerts when temperatures go outside certain thresholds.

Today, we're taking a look at three temperature sensors that you might consider adding to your system. We'll be focusing on the high-temperature sensing capabilities here, but we may brush over other features as well. Let's take a look!

Honeywell 5821

The Honeywell 5821 has two possible temperature settings. If programmed as Loop 2 with both DIP switches OFF, the sensor will alert the system when the temperature rises above 95°F for more than 10 minutes. You can also set it to SW1 DIP Switch ON and SW2 DIP Switch OFF on Loop 2 to have the sensor activate when the temperature rises above 75°F for more than 10 minutes.

The option to choose between a 95°F and a 75°F threshold is very useful, as some homes in different areas will certainly have different normal temperatures! The sensor also offers freeze detection and flood monitoring when paired with a water detection probe. An optional wired temperature probe is also available. The device operates at 345 MHz.

Qolsys IQ Temp

The Qolsys IQ Temp offers high-temperature detection at 100°F. The zone will then restore when the temperature falls below 95°F. Although this might be too high for many homes, there are some very hot areas that frequently exceed 110°F or even 120°F. This is a relatively simple device that can easily pair with nearly any 319.5 MHz alarm system. It also offers freeze detection at 40°F and restores once the temperature rises above 45°F. Like most temperature sensors, the high and low temperature zones will need to be configured separately.

2GIG FT6-345

The 2GIG FT6-345 Wireless Flood and Temperature Detector is a 345 MHz sensor designed with 2GIG Security Systems in mind. The sensor uses Loop 2 for high-temperature detection. It activates when a temperature of 95°F or higher is detected for three straight minutes. The sensor will restore when the temperature falls below 95°F for three straight minutes. The sensor can also be programmed with Loop 1 for freeze detection (41°F or lower for three straight minutes) or Loop 3 for water detection.

If you need help choosing a high-temperature detector for your home, please reach out to us! We can help you determine the best solution for your needs. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. We will check your email at our earliest convenience and respond back as quickly as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! We're a little late in reporting this news - in fact it happened a few weeks ago. But we forgot to mention that the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus received the Most Valuable Product Award for Intrusion Detection at ISC West 2019. Congratulations to Qolsys and the IQ Panel 2 Plus System!

The 2019 Edition of ISC West brought us the 5th Annual Most Valuable Product (MVP) Awards, which are part of the larger SAMMY Awards. The MVP Awards are designed to highlight products that make particularly large impressions on the industry. The candidates were judged on innovation, functionality, competitive advantages, monitoring provider benefits, installer benefits and end user benefits.

We are very proud to say that the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus was the winner of the MVP Award in the category of Intrusion Detection. The Alarm Grid Team actually had a great time at the Qolsys Booth during ISC West 2019. We had the opportunity to discuss the company's overview and general outlook, as well as their new commercial platform. You can check out these posts below:

• Qolsys Overview
• Qolsys Commercial Platform

The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus is one of our favorite wireless all-in-one alarm systems. The system supports up to 128 wireless zones and top-of-the-line DSC PowerG Sensors. Each IQ Panel 2 Plus also comes equipped with a WIFI card, a built-in 5 megapixel camera, a 7-inch touchscreen display, an integrated glass break sensor and an LTE cellular communicator (AT&T or Verizon). The system also boasts advanced features like automatic Bluetooth disarming, facial recognition and partition support. Each system comes with a choice of legacy sensor frequency (319.5 MHz, 345 MHz or 433 MHz).

If you want to learn more about the IQ Panel 2 Plus for residential or commercial use, please reach out to us. We want to help you find the perfect system for your needs, and the IQ Panel 2 Plus is one of the best available. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. One of our security planners will check your email at our earliest convenience and respond as soon as possible. You may also call us at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you design a great home or business security system!

Hi DIYers! Today, we want to discuss some of our favorite smart locks from the likes of Kwikset, Yale and August. There are many great reasons to add a smart lock to your home, and we are sure that you will love the convenience they offer. They are great for Alarm Grid monitored customers.

Smart locks represent a great addition to nearly any home or business. These devices typically enroll with a central hub, such as a Z-Wave controller or into your Apple HomeKit network. You will then be able to control the lock through an app on the Android or iOS smartphone. This is great if you ever want to let someone inside while you are away and then make sure the door is locked after they leave.

Z-Wave locks are particularly useful because you can access them through the Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com service that you use with your security system. These services will also provide you with text and/or email alerts whenever your lock is used. And iOS users always appreciate HomeKit compatibility. They find it highly convenient to be able to control their smart locks through Siri voice commands.

Alarm Grid has been putting out some FAQs to help you get started with various Z-Wave locks. We encourage you to check out some of the FAQs listed below:

• How Do I Include My Yale Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Exclude My Yale Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Factory Default My Yale Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Include My August Smart Lock Pro?
• How Do I Exclude My August Smart Lock Pro?
• How Do I Factory Default My August Smart Lock Pro?
• How Do I Include My Kwikset Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Exclude My Kwikset Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Factory Default My Kwikset Z-Wave Lock?

Of course, you can buy some excellent Z-Wave locks from Yale, August and Kwikset on our site. Let's take a look at some of our favorites from each of the three companies:

Yale

We actually got a first-hand look at many of the Yale Locks at ISC West 2019. Our team was highly impressed with these locks, and we think any of them would make for a great addition to your home. The Yale Assure Locks were particularly exciting for their added reliability, touchscreen control and Z-Wave Plus functionality. These include the Yale YRD226, Yale YRD246 and Yale YRD256 models. The YRD256 receives special recognition for having both a HomeKit Version and a Z-Wave Plus Version available from Alarm Grid.

Alarm Grid has been particularly impressed with the ease-of-use and overall reliability offered from the Yale Locks. They are available in a multitude of designs and styles so that you can find the lock that fits your home. Whether you choose a HomeKit model or a Z-Wave Plus model, we are sure that you will be extremely pleased with the performance and reliability when controlled remotely.

August

August and Yale are actually both manufactured by the same company, Assa Abloy. The name of the game here is the August Smart Lock Pro. This is one of the best and most versatile locks in the industry, and we cannot recommend it enough. The biggest selling point of the August Smart Lock Pro is that it can utilize Z-Wave Plus technology and connectivity with Apple HomeKit at the same time. Usually, a lock is restricted between one or the other. But that is not the case here.

The round design helps the August Smart Lock Pro stand out from other smart locks. It is sleek and smooth, and an LED light helps the user with setup. The entire process is completed through the August Home App to make setup and installation as easy as possible. Users looking for something different with some great advanced features can't go wrong here.

If you want to use Apple HomeKit with the August Smart Lock Pro, then the August Connect WIFI Bridge must be obtained as well. Alarm Grid actually sells the August Smart Lock Pro and the August Connect Bridge in one convenient package. They can also be purchased separately. The Smart Lock Pro can also communicate with your phone wirelessly through a Bluetooth connection. This is great for automatic unlocking when you arrive home. And users will certainly appreciate the integrations with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, AirBnB and HomeAway.

Kwikset

Not to be outdone, Kwikset offers their own smart locks that we have shown tremendous success in our personal testing. These are simple, yet effective locks that each feature their own timeless design. They use Z-Wave Plus technology for easy pairing with your wireless home security system. You can then control the lock from the panel or through a convenient app like Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com. You can even receive notifications from TC2 or ADC whenever the lock is used.

The two Kwikset Locks that stand out the most for us are the Kwikset SmartCode 888 (shown above) and the Kwikset Obsidian. The Kwikset SmartCode 888 is an affordable option for users who want all the great features and functions of a reliable smart lock. It offers a touch-button keypad, with backlit keys for easy operation at nighttime. Meanwhile, the Kwikset Obsidian offers a sleek and futuristic touchscreen keypad for entering codes. The device uses advanced SecureScreen technology to prevent intruders from figuring out codes based on fingerprints. It also offers 128-bit AES encryption for added security.

All of the locks mentioned above are available for purchase from Alarm Grid now. If you need help deciding on a lock, please reach out to us by sending an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We will check the email at our earliest convenience and respond as quickly as possible. We look forward to helping you find the perfect Z-Wave or HomeKit lock for your ever-growing and evolving smart home!

Hi DIYers! It's time for a new video recap. Our video team has settled down and gotten back in the swing of things since ISC West 2019. This time, we have six new videos for you to check out. The videos feature Jorge and Joe to help you learn how to use your alarm system. Let's take a look!

Fire Sensor Notifications from a Lyric via Apple HomeKit

Jorge explains why users don't get specific notifications regarding fire-safety sensors on their Honeywell Lyric Alarm Systems from Apple HomeKit. The important thing to remember is that HomeKit only provides specific notifications for security Response Types. If a life-safety sensor like a smoke detector or a CO detector activates, then HomeKit will only provide a General Lyric System Alert. That is why it is important to continue to use the Total Connect 2.0 platform alongside the Apple HomeKit service. Total Connect 2.0 will provide specific notifications for any Response Type.

Excluding A Yale Z-Wave Lock

Joe shows users how they can exclude a Yale Z-Wave Lock from their Z-Wave network. You should always make sure to exclude a Z-Wave device before attempting to pair it with a Z-Wave network. The Z-Wave device may have been paired with a different network for factory testing purposes. Clearing the lock from the network first ensures that it will be able to pair successfully. Please note that the exclusion command for Yale Z-Wave Locks is [Master PIN] + [#] + [7] + [#] + [3] + [#].

Defaulting A Yale Z-Wave Lock

Joe demonstrates the process for performing a factory reset on a Yale Z-Wave Lock. Doing this will reset the Master PIN Code back to 12345678, delete any added codes and reset any configured Z-Wave settings. The device will need to be re-enrolled with a Z-Wave controller after doing this. You will still need to exclude the device from the Z-Wave network before you will be able to re-enroll it. The factory reset process is performed by pressing and holding the reset button as you apply power to the lock.

Including A Yale Z-Wave Lock

Joe helps users with including a Yale Z-Wave Lock into a Z-Wave network. The process involves putting the Z-Wave controller or hub into its inclusion mode and then activating the inclusion function on the Yale Z-Wave Lock. You should clear the lock from the network before you attempt to perform the enrollment process. The command for activating the inclusion function on the lock is [Master PIN] + [#] + [7] + [#] + [1] + [#]. You may need to configure the lock settings after enrollment.

Keyfobs That Are Compatible With the IQ Panel 2 Plus

Jorge shows users which key fob devices are compatible with the IQ Panel 2 Plus. This depends on which type of IQ Panel 2 Plus System is being used. These systems can support 915 MHz PowerG Key Fobs and one type of legacy frequency (319.5 MHz, 345 MHz or 433 MHz). The 319.5 MHz varieties support Qolsys Key Fobs and Interlogix/GE Key Fobs. The 345 MHz varieties support Honeywell 5800 Series Key Fobs and 2GIG Key Fobs. The 433 MHz varieties support Legacy DSC Key Fobs.

Putting the 2GIG GC3 into RF Learn Mode

Jorge shows users how to put a 2GIG GC3 Alarm System into its enrollment mode for learning-in new sensors. This is a necessary step when you go to add new equipment to your GC3 System. After you have accessed the wireless zone you want to configure, you can choose the "Serial Number" field. This will give you an option to put the panel into its wireless enrollment mode. You can then activate the sensor to learn it in. You must configure the zone settings after enrollment.

Hi DIYers! We would like to announce that we are now offering high-quality alarm system wiring and cabling from Genesis. This wiring and cabling is perfect for nearly all types of alarm system applications. If you have a hardwired system or sensors, this is great wiring to have around!

Alarm wiring is needed whenever you add a new hardwired sensor, keypad, siren or other accessory to your alarm system. Cabling is also used for providing power to the panel through the plug-in transformer and backup battery. When you go and make hardware changes to your wired system, you will almost certainly need some wiring around. It is good to have on-hand whether you plan on setting up a brand-new system or whether you plan to make changes to your current one.

Both DIY users and professional installers can benefit from high-quality wiring. And that is exactly what Alarm Grid is offering with the Genesis Wiring. Genesis is owned and operated by Resideo (formerly Honeywell), a company already known for its top-of-the-line security systems. You can count on Genesis to provide excellent wiring that will allow your hardwired alarm system equipment to work effectively and reliably. It is great for wiring alarm systems from nearly any maker or manufacturer.

Alarm Grid is offering 18-gauge and 22-gauge wiring options. 18 AWG is slightly thicker than 22 AWG, and it is better-suited for longer wire runs and higher current draws. We recommend the use of 18-gauge wire, as it offers an ideal balance of maximum wire run length and general flexibility. But if the user doesn't have to worry about long wire runs, then they might want to use the thinner 22-gauge wire for greater flexibility.

All of the cabling featured on our site consists of stranded copper. This type of wire is perfect for DIY users, as it can be cut, spliced and bent without easily being damaged. DIY users who try to work with solid core wiring are likely to damage the cabling and experience major issues when they go to wire their systems. We strongly recommend the use of stranded wiring for all alarm system equipment. This is true whether you're setting up your own DIY system or you are a professional installer.

The wiring we are offering is available in 2-conductor and 4-conductor options. A cable that is 2-conductor will have two inner wires, while 4-conductor cable will have four inner wires. The type to use will depend on the connections you need to make. Remember that you can double-up and use two separate 2-conductor wires to complete 4-wire connections, but you lose the convenience of having four different color wires when you choose this option. And you can always leave two of the inner wires for a 4-conductor cable disconnected when completing a 2-wire connection. But for neatness, you should consider your needs appropriately and choose the conductor option that works best for your needs. All our wire sizes are available in 500-foot and 1,000-foot rolls.

We offer the following wiring products at this time:

• Genesis 18-Gauge, 2-Conductor Wire, 500 Feet
• Genesis 18-Gauge, 2-Conductor Wire, 1,000 Feet
• Genesis 18-Gauge, 4-Conductor Wire, 500 Feet
• Genesis 18-Gauge, 4-Conductor Wire, 1,000 Feet
• Genesis 22-Gauge, 2-Conductor Wire, 500 Feet
• Genesis 22-Gauge, 2-Conductor Wire, 1,000 Feet
• Genesis 22-Gauge, 4-Conductor Wire, 500 Feet
• Genesis 22-Gauge, 4-Conductor Wire, 1,000 Feet

If you have any questions about our wiring products, please send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. Our support technicians and security system planners are happy to address any questions or concerns you might have. We can also help you determine the perfect type of wiring if you aren't sure exactly what you need. We look forward to hearing from you so that we can help you plan your system!

Hi DIYers! We have some fun news for you today. Alarm Grid will soon begin offering tiny and cute Alarm Grid Stickers. These are great for putting on your refrigerator, on your laptop or computer or just placing around the house. You will love the upcoming Alarm Grid Little Stickers!

As you may know, Alarm Grid already offers window stickers for indoor use and weatherproof outdoor stickers. Our swag lineup also includes the Famous Alarm Grid Yard Signs. These are great for showing the world that your home or business is monitored with Alarm Grid. But we received word from many customers that they wanted something smaller and easier to put everywhere. That is why we decided to offer little stickers as well.

Each mini sticker has a strong adhesive backside or frontside that should last indefinitely when properly applied. These stickers are high-quality enough to survive the elements when used outside. This makes them perfect for placing on mailboxes, windows, vehicles and more. We will offer our stickers in packs of one (1), five (5) and ten (10). Each sticker is in the shape of an octagon - that's eight (8) sides - and features the Famous Alarm Grid Blue. You also get our logo, phone number and website for quick reference.

The message "Protected By Alarm Grid" is synonymous with top-quality alarm monitoring service. Any intruder who sees this sticker will know not to mess with your home or business!

And just how small are the Alarm Grid Little Stickers? Well we figured it was best to just show you. We found a penny around the office and used it for size-comparison. Check it out:

Now you're probably wondering when you can get your hands on these adorable stickers. We're sure that you want to share them with your friends, family and colleagues. We understand. Unfortunately, you have to wait. But we promise the stickers will be available soon, and we will very quickly let you know when you can buy them.

For now, the best thing you can do is email support@alarmgrid.com. Let our alarm system support technicians and security planners know that you want your Alarm Grid Little Stickers. We are rushing to get them up as soon as possible, but it doesn't hurt to remind us of the sheer urgency in making these stickers available to you, the Alarm Grid Nation. We promise that these stickers will be worth the wait!

Update: And just like that our mini stickers are now available! We have mini indoor window stickers with an adhesive front:

• Alarm Grid Mini Indoor Sticker, Single
• Alarm Grid Mini Indoor Stickers, 5-Pack
• Alarm Grid Mini indoor Stickers, 10-Pack

And we also have mini outdoor stickers with an adhesive back:

• Alarm Grid Mini Outdoor Sticker, Single
• Alarm Grid Mini Outdoor Stickers, 5-Pack
• Alarm Grid Mini Outdoor Stickers, 10-Pack

Hi DIYers! Today, we'd like to cover some of our newest products from 2GIG. These are all fairly unique 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors that can be used with 2GIG GC2, 2GIG GC3 and Honeywell Lyric Alarm Systems. We are sure that many users will take full advantage of these versatile new products!

We actually very briefly touched on these new sensors during our 2GIG ISC West 2019 Post, but we never had the opportunity to discuss them in-depth. These sensors will also work with the upcoming 2GIG GC2e and 2GIG GC3e Systems that should be arriving later this summer. Remember, these upcoming panels will support a lineup of encrypted sensors from 2GIG, as well as the current 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors and Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors.

As we said before, these are all fairly unique sensors. Some of these options have never truly been offered before. It's a good reason to get on-board with 2GIG and one of their wireless systems. And remember that you can always add a 2GIG RPTR1-345 Wireless Repeater if you need to increase the signal range for any of these wireless devices. Let's take a few moments to discuss each of these new sensors in full detail:

• 2GIG DW30-345 Outdoor Wireless Door Sensor: This a wireless outdoor contact sensor, much like the existing Honeywell 5816OD. The weather-resistant sensor can have an extended gap of two (2) inches between its magnet. However, it should ideally be less than an inch if possible for best results. It receives power using two (2) AA batteries, which can easily be swapped out when low. The 2GIG DW30-345 is great for outside doors, fences and gates that may be exposed to rain, wind, snow and excessive dust. It can be mounted on a flat or curved surface to meet the needs of the user.
  
  
  
  
• 2GIG STVGRL1-345 Stove & Grill Guard: This is a unique sensor that alerts an alarm system when a stove or grill has a burner that is left on. The sensor will remain in a fault condition whenever the burner control is left 20 degrees or more from the usual position. A user can set the associated wireless zone to display a trouble condition whenever the sensor left faulted. This way, they will know to turn the stove or grill off if they accidentally leave it on. It is also great for parents who are worried that their children may be playing with the burner. The device is small and discreet, and it is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
  
  
  
  
• 2GIG F1-345 Safety Pendant With Fall Detection: This is a medical alert sensor that can detect the abrupt and sudden movement that occurs when a person falls down. Just like a conventional medical alert sensor, the user can press and hold a button if they experience a medical emergency or crisis. But the built-in fall detection is great for situations in which the user might be rendered unconscious and unable to press the button themselves. The device comes with a lanyard so that it can be easily worn, and it it is water-resistant with an IPx7 rating. The end user will have no problem using the F1-345 in the bath or shower if necessary.
  
  
  
  
• 2GIG GNGRD1-345 Gun Trigger Lock: This a helpful safety device that prevents a user from shooting a gun or firearm unless a 3-digit code is entered first. The sensor will also send an alert to the security system in the event that the weapon is moved or tampered with. This sensor is perfect for families of gun-owners who want to make sure that their children don't get into their weapons or firearms. It is strongly recommended for any gun-owner who wants to ensure that only they can access their weapon. The device is small, discreet and easily to apply. It is powered using a single CR2032 coin cell battery.
  
  
  

All of these sensors are available on the Alarm Grid website now! If you would like to learn more about any of these sensors, we recommend sending an email to support@alarmgrid.com. One of our security system experts will see your email and respond back as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you design the perfect alarm system for your needs!

If you're looking to obtain alarm monitoring service for your home, then you can't go wrong with one of our home security system kits. Each kit has everything you need to get started. One of our highly-trained technicians will call you to active your system, and your home will be protected!

With an Alarm Grid Security System Kit, you can expect several essential components. You will receive a wireless alarm control panel that serves as the central hub for your system. This is where you can arm and disarm your system and make programming changes. You will also be able to access your system from an interactive service platform like Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com. This is great if you need to control your system while you are away or if you just want to make sure you remembered to arm your system before you left!

Each kit also includes door and window sensors and a motion detecting sensor. The door and window sensors will alert your security system if a door is opened, while the motion sensor will respond to a person moving throughout the area. We offer kits with varying numbers of sensors so that you can choose a kit that is the perfect size for your home or apartment! We also sell individual sensors if needed. You can start with a small security system now and then expand upon it later. Do whatever works for your home!

Users can also expect a Honeywell LT-Cable with each kit. This cable makes it super easy to provide power to your system with the included transformer. You won't need to strip or prepare any wires. The cable comes completely ready. You will just need a screwdriver to attach it. We also recommend choosing a kit that comes with a cellular communicator. This will serve as a reliable backup in case there is ever an internet outage in your home. If the internet goes down, your system will automatically switch to its cellular backup. Not all our kits include a cellular communicator, but we strongly recommend getting one!

Also, don't feel intimidated if you have never installed a security system before! Some other companies may not want you to believe it, but installing your own system is super easy! In fact, most wireless alarm systems can be set up using nothing more than a screwdriver. Wireless sensors can be mounted with double-sided foam tape, and wireless panel menus are easy to navigate. And our technicians will be there to help you every step of the way with online and phone support. Remember, you get free support as an Alarm Grid monitored customer. Before you know it, your brand-new system will be up and running!

Alarm Grid is your home for all your security system kits! If you need help choosing a system, please reach out to us! You may email support@alarmgrid.com or call (888) 818-7728 during our business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. Just tell us about your home and what kind of monitoring service you want. Our planners will help you determine the best security system for your house or apartment. We are always happy to help, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! We had our video team working crazy hard covering ISC West 2019. But now it's back to the grind with our usual video updates! We managed to get up four new videos for April 18th and 19th. Kudos to our technicians for working so hard. Let's take a look at our latest videos!

Connecting the Honeywell Tuxedo Touch To WIFI

Jorge demonstrates the process for connecting a Honeywell Tuxedo Touch Keypad to a WIFI network. The Tuxedo Touch must be connected to the network so that it can communicate properly with Total Connect 2.0. Proper network connectivity is necessary for the keypad and the Total Connect 2.0 platform to remain constantly in sync. Whether a user operates a Z-Wave device or a smart scene from TC2 or their Tuxedo Touch Keypad, the other platform will receive notice regarding the device activity.

Factory Resetting a Tuxedo Touch Keypad

Jorge shows users how to perform a factory reset on a Honeywell Tuxedo Touch Keypad. By performing a factory reset, all device settings and configurations will be restored to their default values. This is a good option if you are taking over the Tuxedo Touch Keypad from someone else and you want to start fresh with original settings. A factory reset might also be performed as a final troubleshooting step if the device is not working properly. But keep in mind that the entire keypad will need to be reconfigured!

Testing the 2GIG SMKT3-345 Smoke and Heat Detector

Jorge teaches users how they can test a 2GIG SMKT3-345 Smoke and Heat Detector. The device has a test button that allows a user to test the device's LED light, sounder and signal transmission. But you must perform a manual test if you want to check the functionality for the sensor. This means using canned smoke to test the photoelectric smoke detector and a hair dryer on the highest setting to test the heat detector. Remember to place your system on test mode before testing!

ADC SVR122 Feature Overview

Joe talks about the ADC-SVR122 Stream Video Recorder. The Stream Video Recorded is designed exclusively for use with Alarm.com Security Cameras. It allows a user to achieve a 24-hour continuous recording schedule. The user can login to their Alarm.com account through the website or mobile app to view recorded clips that are stored on the ADC-SVR122. They can also connect an HDMI monitor for local viewing. The ADC-SVR122 can support up to eight cameras, and it comes in 500GB and 1TB storage options.