How Do I Upgrade My 2GIG GC2 to a Honeywell PROA7PLUS?

You can upgrade your 2GIG GC2 to a Honeywell PROA7PLUS by installing a Honeywell Home PROTAKEOVER inside the PROA7PLUS and then pairing existing sensors from the GC2 with the PROA7PLUS. You can bring over Honeywell 5800 Sensors OR 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors to the PROA7PLUS using the PROTAKEOVER.

The 2GIG Go!Control GC2 supports 345 MHz sensors from the Honeywell 5800 Series and the 2GIG 345 MHz Series. On the 2GIG GC2, you can mix and match sensors from both of those lineups to create the ideal security system. You can even throw in some third-party sensors that also operate at 345 MHz as a way of fleshing out your GC2 System. When you go to upgrade the GC2 to a PROA7PLUS, there's a great chance that you can bring over many of your existing sensors by using a PROTAKEOVER Legacy Wireless Receiver. But there are some limitations.

First, unlike the 2GIG GC2, which supports BOTH 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors AND Honeywell 5800 Sensors at the same time, the PROA7PLUS combined with the PROTAKEOVER Module can support either 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors OR Honeywell 5800 Sensors. In other words, you have to choose whether your PROA7PLUS System will support 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors OR Honeywell 5800 Sensors. It cannot support both at the same time. The PROTAKEOVER Converter Module has a rotary dial that allows you to pick only one (1) legacy sensor frequency to support at any given time, and although Honeywell 5800 and 2GIG both operate at 345 MHz they are not exactly alike. Setting the dial to 0 will allow the unit to support Honeywell 5800 Sensors. Setting the dial to 1 will allow the unit to support 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors. There is no way to choose both options, and you can only install one (1) PROTAKEOVER unit inside the PROA7PLUS. If all your sensors are from one lineup, then there's a great chance you can bring them all over. But if you mixed and matched Honeywell 5800 Sensors with 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors on your 2GIG GC2, then you will need to decide which sensor lineup will serve you better on the PROA7PLUS.

Second, if you are setting the dial to 0 for Honeywell 5800 Sensors, then you can only use the uni-directional "one-way" sensors with the PROA7PLUS and PROTAKEOVER Module. Any bi-directional "two-way" Honeywell 5800 Sensors that rely on a House ID to identify the panel and receive system status cannot be used with this setup. Examples of Honeywell 5800 devices that fall into this category include the Honeywell 5828 Keypad, the Honeywell 5800RL Relay, and the Honeywell 5800WAVE Siren. The general rule of thumb here is that if you had to use a House ID when pairing the sensor, then it won't work with PROTAKEOVER Module. This same limitation applies to the 2GIG GC2 though, so basically if it was a Honeywell 5800 series sensor that worked with the GC2, then it will also work with the PROTAKEOVER and the PROA7PLUS. All 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors are uni-directional "one-way" communication devices. As a result, if your 2GIG GC2 is using all 2GIG sensors, then they should all be compatible when you set the PROTAKEOVER with a 1. Remember that this does not include the 2GIG eSeries Sensors, as those are encrypted sensors, and they cannot be used with the PROA7PLUS.

Third and last, there are certain types of sensors that cannot be used with the PROTAKEOVER Module, regardless of which sensor lineup family they are from. The biggest thing to keep in mind here is that no life-safety sensors should ever be used with the PROTAKEOVER Module. This includes all smoke detectors, heat detectors, or carbon monoxide (CO) detection sensors. Most key fob devices are also incompatible. When in doubt, it is advised that you check the PROTAKEOVER Compatibility Chart to see if the sensor you want to use is listed. If it's not, then there is no guarantee that it will successfully pair with the PROTA7PLUS and PROTAKEOVER Module Converter. You may notice that there are some seemingly odd absences from this list, including the Honeywell 5800MINI Door/Window Sensor and the Honeywell 5800C2W Wired to Wireless Converter. You can certainly try using either of those devices to see if they will work. But if they aren't on the compatibility list, then do not count on them as a guarantee to work.

If you need to buy both a new PROA7PLUS System AND a PROTAKEOVER Converter Module, then you can get one of the bundled kits listed below. Every kit includes a new PROA7PLUS Alarm Panel, a PROTAKEOVER, and a Honeywell LT-Cable. The way that the kits differ is in their communication path. The base kit includes nothing extra, and the only available communication path is its integrated WIFI. The other two (2) options are dual-path kits that include an added cellular communicator in addition to the panel's built-in WIFI. There is an AT&T LTE & WIFI option and a Verizon LTE & WIFI option. Deciding between AT&T and Verizon shouldn't have anything to do with your personal phone service, and you should base your decision solely on which one provides better service in your area. It may be a good idea to check coverage maps if you are uncertain.

The advantage to going with a dual path setup (LTE cellular + WIFI) is that your system will stay monitored even during an internet outage because the cellular communication path will be there to serve as a backup option. Your system will automatically switch over to cellular communication in these instances, and no action will be required on your part. Just keep in mind that you will be required to obtain a monitoring plan that includes cellular connectivity in order to get a dual-path system monitored. Cellular monitoring plans are usually slightly more expensive than monitoring plans that include IP service only. Just be aware that the reduction in price is accompanied by a reduction in reliability. If you are interested in learning all about the monitoring plans offered by Alarm Grid, then please check out this prior blog post.

PROA7PLUS RF Takeover Kits

Once you have obtained both a PROA7PLUS System and a PROTAKEOVER Converter, complete the following steps to upgrade from a 2GIG GC2 to a Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS:

1. Install the PROTAKEOVER Module. You should start by installing the PROTAKEOVER Converter inside the PROA7PLUS. Without this add-on, your PROA7PLUS System will not be able to support any of the sensors that had been used with your 2GIG GC2. For many new PROA7PLUS users, this will be the very first thing that they do on their new systems.

If your PROA7PLUS System is powered on, then you will need to power it down completely. You can drop AC power by unplugging the system's transformer from the outlet, or by cutting power to the outlet at the circuit breaker. Battery power is removed by taking the panel off its backplate and unplugging the battery pack from its connection port. Make sure to remove the bottom set screw for the PROA7PLUS before trying to remove it from the backplate.

If you had been using the PROA7PLUS with the original stock backplate that came with it, then you will need to retire that backplate and switch to the new backplate that came bundled with the PROTAKEOVER Module. This is because the new backplate has an antenna inside it that is required for the PROTAKEOVER Module to function properly. If the PROTAKEOVER is not set up with this antenna, then its wireless range will effectively be nonexistent. For reference, the PROTAKEOVER has two (2) metal prongs that make direct contact with the inner backplate antenna when it is installed correctly. Most users who have the PROA7PLUS System mounted on its original backplate will simply dismount that original stock backplate, and then install the PROTAKEOVER backplate in its place.

With the PROA7PLUS removed from its backplate, turn the system over so you are facing its backside. That is the side opposite from the touchscreen display. On your right-hand side, there should be a slot cover. You should be able to easily slide off this side cover. After removing the cover, you can then carefully insert the PROTAKEOVER Module into the open slot. Before doing this, make sure to set the rotary dial on the PROTAKEOVER to 0 for use with Honeywell 5800 Sensors, or 1 for use with 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors. Make sure the PROTAKEOVER is properly secured inside the PROA7PLUS. You can tell that the unit has been installed correctly because its set screw slot will line up perfectly with the hole in the panel plastic. Applying the set screw is technically optional, but it is advised for keeping the unit as secured as possible.

Once you have finished installing the converter, you can then reapply the side cover to close the slot. From there, reapply power to the system by connecting the backup battery first, and AC power second. Plug the backup battery into its connection port to restore backup power. Then restore AC power by either plugging the transformer back into the outlet or restoring power at the circuit breaker, depending on how you removed AC power in the first place. Keep in mind that the system will not power on with battery power alone. It will only power on once AC power has been restored, so do not be surprised when you reconnect the backup battery and nothing happens. Mount the system on the backplate that came with the PROTAKEOVER Module when you are finished. Remember that if you are having any trouble installing the PROTAKEOVER, you can refer to the PROAKEOVER Installation Guide for extra help.

2. Enroll existing GC2 Sensors. With the PROTAKEOVER Converter Module installed inside the PROA7PLUS, you can now begin bringing over existing GC2 Sensors for use with the system. Remember that if you set the dial on the PROTAKEOVER to 0, then you can enroll uni-directional Honeywell 5800 Sensors with the system, or if you set the dial to 1, then you can enroll 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors with the system. No life-safety sensors or key fobs can be brought over, and anything not listed in the compatibility chart is not guaranteed to work. As you are only bringing over uni-directional, non-encrypted sensors to the PROA7PLUS, there is actually no need to delete these sensors from the 2GIG GC2 System. They can technically be enrolled with both systems and communicate with both systems at the same time. Most users ultimately end up doing this, as it is the easiest option, and clearing the sensors from the GC2 serves little purpose, especially if the GC2 System is no longer being used in any capacity.

One thing to keep in mind with the PROA7PLUS System is that as of March 2021, the system still has no way of supporting local end-user programming. This means that all programming, including zone programming for adding, editing, and deleting sensors, must be completed remotely by your alarm monitoring company. Additionally, if your PROA7PLUS System is not yet monitored, then you will have no way to bring over your existing GC2 Sensors, as there will be no available method for enrolling them. Your alarm dealer should be able to program these zones for you at the time your new system is being activated.

If you are retaining the same monitoring provider that you used with your old 2GIG GC2 System, then it's very likely that they can access the system's programming information through Alarm.com. They can then use that information for programming your new PROA7PLUS. As a side note, the PROA7PLUS will not be connected with the Alarm.com service that you likely used with the GC2, and it will instead be connected with AlarmNet. If you used Alarm.com as your interactive monitoring and automation platform, then that will shift over to Total Connect 2.0, provided that your monitoring plan includes access to the service. However, if you are switching monitoring companies entirely, or if your old monitoring company is unable to access the zone programming information for your 2GIG GC2 System for whatever reason, then you will need to access the programming information locally on your GC2 and provide that information to your monitoring company so that they can program the legacy sensors on your PROA7PLUS System.

If you need to access the programming information on the 2GIG GC2, then start from the main screen of the system, and click the 2GIG logo in the bottom-right corner, and enter the system's Installer Code. This code is 1561 by default, so try that code if you are unsure of what it may be. Once you are inside the Installer Toolbox, choose System Configuration. The very first Question (Q1) of System Configuration is for RF Sensor Programming, which is the place you need to be for accessing zone information. The possible zones that you may be bringing over to the PROA7PLUS include sensors numbered 1 thru 48 AND 63 thru 74. You can use the left and right arrows to scroll thru different available zones on the GC2 System, or you can enter the two-digit zone number of the sensor you want to bring over (e.g. 01, 09, 48, etc.) to jump right to that zone.

Once the desired zone is displayed on the screen, you can press the down arrow to begin reviewing its settings. As you go thru the zone settings, remember that the down arrow will take you to the next setting, while the up arrow will take you to the previous setting. The relevant settings that you should make sure to note include RF Sensor Type, Serial Number, Loop Number, and Voice Descriptor. When you reach the end of the settings for a zone, you will access a summary screen. You can choose the option for Edit Next to move on to the next zone in the sequence. Repeat the process for any relevant sensor that you are bringing over to the PROA7PLUS. We advise compiling the information zone by zone into an organized document or spreadsheet. Any sensors not making the transition do not need to have their zone information documented. This includes all life-safety sensors, as well as any sensors not from the device lineup being supported by the PROTAKEOVER Converter (Honeywell 5800 OR 2GIG 345 MHz).

When you reach the summary screen for the very last sensor you are bringing over, press either Edit Next or Skip, and then press the End button in the bottom-right corner. You will be taken to a summary screen. You can leave the box for Save Changes marked, or you can unmark the box. It really doesn't matter, because you aren't actually making any changes to the 2GIG GC2 programming. Press the Exit button in the bottom-right corner. If you marked the button to Save Changes, then the GC2 System will reboot, and you are finished once the system reloads. If you left the Save Changes box unmarked, then you will be asked if you want to discard all changes. Choose Yes. Then click the green button of the house on the front of the GC2 Panel (the button on the right) to return to the main menu.

You can then share the organized and easy-to-read document or spreadsheet that you compiled with your monitoring company so that they can begin programming your PROA7PLUS System. Keep in mind that there is a maximum of 60 total wireless zones that you would be bringing over from your GC2 System to your PROA7PLUS System (Zone Numbers 1 thru 48 AND 63 thru 74). Since the PROA7PLUS has room for 123 legacy RF zones, you will almost certainly have some extra zones remaining for supporting more legacy wireless sensors. If you want to expand upon your PROA7PLUS with additional legacy wireless sensors, then you must choose compatible devices from the sensor lineup that you enabled on the PROTAKEOVER Module (0 for Honeywell 5800 OR 1 for 2GIG 345 MHz).

Keep in mind that this is in addition to the 127 other wireless zones on the PROA7PLUS System that can be used with encrypted sensors from the Resideo PROSIX Sensor Lineup and the Honeywell SiX Series Sensors. In total, if you combine legacy sensor support and encrypted sensor support, the PROA7PLUS supports up to 250 total sensors.

3. Test the system. Once your monitoring company has finished programming the PROA7PLUS, and they have successfully pushed the new programming information down to the system, you can then begin testing the system. This is formally known as a Walk Test. To access system Test Mode, start from the main PROA7PLUS Screen, and press the three (3) horizontal bars at the bottom. Then choose Tools, and then enter the Installer Code for the panel. This code is 4112 by default, so try that code if you are otherwise unsure. Then choose System Tests, followed by Test Sensors.

Once you are in the Test Sensors Menu, all of your programmed sensors should appear on the screen. Click the Start Test button in the upper-right corner, followed by OK to begin the test. The panel will emit a loud beep once the test has started. You can then go around your home or office and fault (activate) every sensor enrolled with your PROA7PLUS Security System. Each faulted sensor should send a signal to the PROA7PLUS. When the system detects an incoming signal, it will take the associated sensor, and move its programmed name from the bottom of the screen and display it at the top in bold. Go and fault every sensor, and make sure that the PROA7PLUS System acknowledges each one. When you have finished, press the End Test button in the upper-right corner. Then return to the home screen by either pressing the security icon in the lower right or by repeatedly pressing the return arrow in the upper-left corner of the system screen.

Keep in mind that you should always put your system on Test Mode with the central station to prevent any accidental alarms. You can ask your monitoring company to do this after they have finished programming the old GC2 Sensors to the new PROA7PLUS. A user will usually have their monitoring company place their system on Test Mode for a limited duration of time (e.g. one hour) so that they do not have to call back to take their system off of Test Mode after they have finished conducting the Walk Test and ensuring that all of their existing sensors are seen by the PROA7PLUS.