Can I Easily Upgrade My VISTA-20P to a First Alert VISTAH3?

Yes, it's pretty easy to upgrade a VISTA-20P to a First Alert VISTAH3. First, decide which existing devices will be used with the new panel. Then, make sure all existing wires are properly marked. Finally, replace the VISTA-20P with the VISTAH3, transfer any zone wiring, and then program.

The First Alert VISTAH3 has eight (8) on-board hardwired zones, with up to 15 hardwired zones when zone doubling is used (zone doubling resistors may not be included with early models). It supports four (4) partitions, and 64 total zones. Both SIX and PROSIX wireless devices are supported from the factory.

The VISTAH3 uses a new bus technology called iBus. The iBus communicates over RS-485. This is an electrical standard that defines the electrical characteristics of drivers and receivers in serial communication. It is commonly used in industrial automation for programmable logic controllers (PLC). It allows for adequate transmission speed and can support relatively long wire runs.

The panel can support one legacy wireless frequency when paired with the VISTAHTKVRWL module. In addition, the VISTAH3 supports the VISTAHTKVR-B which allows you to continue using ECP expansion. While the VISTAH3 can also support V-PLEX (polling loop zones) via the VISTAHTKVR-V module, the VISTA-20P does not, so we won't delve into V-PLEX in this FAQ.

The First Alert Pro VISTAHTKVR-B ECP takeover module can support a total of 17 ECP devices. ECP (Enhanced Console Protocol) is used by older Honeywell panels like the VISTA-20P to communicate with devices on the keypad bus. So, the VISTAHTKVR-B allows you to continue using these devices with the VISTAH3, saving you time and money. The VISTAHTKVR-B converts ECP data to the iBus protocol. At the time of this writing, the keypads used with the VISTA-20P are not supported with this module, but that may change in the future.

The Honeywell 4219 hardwired expander, 4229 hardwired plus relay expander, 4204 relay module, and 5881 style receivers all use ECP to communicate to the alarm panel and can be used with the VISTAHTKVR-B. It supports ECP addresses 00 - 31 and addresses are not device specific, as long as each device has a unique address. You can view the VISTAHTKVR-B data sheet here, and the Install Guide here.

Important Note: The VISTAH3 uses a DC power supply. When replacing a VISTA-20P with a VISTAH3, be sure to use the DC power supply that comes with the VISTAH3 to power the system. Failure to properly power the system may damage the VISTAH3.

Wireless Zone Expansion

VISTAHTKVRWL shown below:

When replacing a VISTA-20P with a VISTAH3, you might already have a 5881 or 5883 receiver installed. If so, you can use the VISTAHTKVR-B module with your existing receivers to maintain the current wireless network, minus any bi-directional devices like the 5828. However, if you're using a keypad with a built-in receiver, the keypad won't currently work with the ECP takeover module. In that case, you may want to replace the keypad receiver with a wireless takeover module, like the First Alert Pro VISTAHTKVRWL.

The addition of the VISTAHTKVRWL module allows the panel to support any one (1) of the following:

• Honeywell 5800 Series wireless sensors
• 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors (not e-Series)
• ITI (GE) and Qolsys Sensors 319.5 MHz (Not S-Line)
• DSC 433 MHz legacy sensors (not PowerG)
• Bosch 433 MHz sensors.

Only one (1) legacy wireless frequency is supported per takeover module, and only one takeover module is supported per panel. Honeywell 5800 Series and 2GIG 345 MHz sensors are not interchangeable and DSC Legacy and Bosch 433 MHz sensors are not interchangeable. The wireless takeover module will only support any one of these.

When replacing a VISTA-20P with a VISTAH3, you will usually only have to consider support for the Honeywell legacy 5800 Series wireless sensors. If your VISTA-20P has 5800 sensors and you want to use them with the VISTAH3 you can either add the VISTAHTKVR-B to work in conjunction with an existing Honeywell/Resideo 5881 or 5883 receiver, or you can purchase the VISTAHTKVRWL module and install it on the Slot 3 edge connector as indicated in the below wiring diagram excerpt:

Built-in Wired Zones

The VISTAH3 has eight (8) built-in hardwired zones, each functioning like the zones on the VISTA-20P. Zone 1 can accommodate up to 16 2-Wire smoke detectors and requires a 2k Ohm resistor (color code: red, black, red). Any 2-Wire smoke detector compatible with the VISTA-20P will work with the VISTAH3. Zones 2 through 8 support the same sensors and detectors as the VISTA-20P, including zone doubling and double balancing features.

If you're replacing a different panel that uses a different resistor value, Zones 2 through 8 can automatically learn the current resistor value. This allows you to continue using the existing resistors without needing to find and replace or remove them. The Install Guide doesn't specify any limitations on the resistor values accepted by Zones 2 through 8.

One minor difference between the VISTA-20P and the VISTAH3 is how zone doubling works. On the VISTAH3, when you double a zone, the second zone in the pair will use the next available zone number, starting from Zone 9. The VISTA-20P, on the other hand, has pre-set zone pairs: Zone 2 with Zone 10, Zone 3 with Zone 11, and so on.

The VISTAH3's dynamic zone pairing capability automatically assigns the next available zone number above Zone 8 to the second zone in a doubled pair. For example, if you double Zone 2 and no zones above Zone 8 are in use, the system will pair it with Zone 9. This ensures efficient use of available zones. Additionally, the VISTAH3 supports zone doubling for hardwired expansion zones.

Wired Zone Expansion

As mentioned above, the VISTAH3 supports the 4219 zone expander when a VISTAHTKVR-B ECP converter is also installed. If you already have one or more 4219/4229 or 4204 modules installed on the VISTA-20P panel, then it makes sense to install the VISTAHTKVR-B.

Important Note: The VISTAHTKVR-B is partition specific. The VISTAH3 can support up to four (4) VISTAHTKVR-B modules, one for each partition. Each VISTAHTKVR-B can only support ECP devices for a single partition.

VISTAHTKVR-B shown below:

However, for new hardwired expansion zones the VISTAHEXPHW 8-zone expander is recommended. This module connects directly to the panel's iBus. Each VISTAHEXPHW expander can accommodate up to eight zones using the included 2.2k resistors (color code: red, red, red) or 16 zones when zone doubling is used.

The panel also supports resistor learning on these zones, so if you already have a different resistor value installed, you can scan the zones during programming and the resistor value will be learned. While the VISTA-20P has a maximum of 48 hardwired zones, the VISTAH3 can support up to 64, though zone numbers one (1) through eight (8) must always come from the panel's hardwired zones.

The resistors for zone doubling using a VISTAHEXPHW are not included with the module. But, the same resistor values used to double Zone 2 through Zone 8 are used on the expander. Namely a 3k resistor (color code: orange, black, red) on the low number zone and a 6.2k resistor (color code: blue, red, red) on the high number one. Just like panel's Zone 2 through Zone 8, each VISTAHEXPHW zone can be configured as: EOL, Normally Open, Normally Closed, Zone Doubled or Double Balanced.

Programmable Outputs

If you need one or more relay modules and you don't already have 4204 or 4229 modules programmed with the VISTA-20P, then you can add relays to the system using the VISTAHRELAY. Each VISTAHRELAY has four (4) Form-C (SPDT) relays that can be programmed with the VISTAH3 alarm system through Automation Rules. The VISTAHRELAY connects to the panel directly through the iBus. The contact rating for each relay is 3A @ 30 VDC or 3A at 120/240 VAC, resistive loads.

In addition, the panel comes equipped with two (2) built-in triggers. These triggers can be programmed to function similarly to the above referenced relays. To utilize the triggers, you'll need a 4120TR trigger cable (sold separately). It's important to note that these triggers aren't traditional Form-C dry-contact relays. Instead, they're floating triggers that provide a connection to ground when activated. They can provide either a short to panel ground, or 12 volts DC at 20mA of current, depending on how they are wired.

You can use the triggers in a couple of ways:

• Direct Triggering: Connect them to an input that requires a dry-contact closure such as a DVR trigger input.
• Relay Activation: Use the trigger to activate a low-current third-party relay (drawing 20mA or less).

While the triggers can activate an Altronix RBSNTTL, they lack the necessary current to power the relay (45mA). To use the RBSNTTL, you'll need to provide either auxiliary power from the panel or a dedicated power supply with its own backup battery.

The panel can support a total of 64 programmable outputs. Sixty-two of these outputs are relays, while the remaining two are the above-referenced on-board triggers. You can configure up to 100 programmable output functions using either a touchscreen keypad or AlarmNet360. To program through AlarmNet360, you'll need to contact your alarm dealer.

Keypads

Unfortunately, as of this writing (December, 2024) the VISTAH3 is not compatible with any of the keypads designed for the VISTA-20P. Even with the ECP converter module, you cannot use ECP keypads from the VISTA-20P with the VISTAH3. There is some talk that this may change in the future, but at the time of the panel's release, legacy keypads such as the 6160 are not supported.

Using iBus, the VISTAH3 supports hardwired keypads in the form of the First Alert VISTAHLKP Alpha Landscape Keypad and First Alert VISTAHPKP Slim Portrait Keypad. You can learn more about the iBus wiring limits on page 15 in the Install Guide. The panel can also support the PROSIXLCDKP keypad. This keypad uses PROSIX RF technology to communicate with the panel, no WIFI module required. These are more traditional push-button keypads that can be used for controlling the system. However, at the time of this writing, the VISTAHLKP and VISTAHPKP keypads are not yet available.

Shown below, the VISTAHLKP, Left, and VISTAHPKP, Right:

The good news is that, with a WIFI module like the PROWIFI (WIFI-only) or PROWIFIZW (WIFI and Z-Wave Plus), you can use the VISTAHTCHWLC wireless touchscreen keypad. This keypad offers full access to the VISTAH3's advanced features, including Z-Wave device control and system programming. It's a great option for DIY users.

You can also use the PROWLTOUCH or PROWLTOUCHC keypads with the VISTAH3, but you'll need to update the panel's firmware first. The panel will then update the PROWLTOUCH or PROWLTOUCHC firmware. This process can take about 30 minutes. While it's not a major hurdle, it's important to plan for this firmware update if you intend to program the system using one of these keypads.

A firmware update will require that the panel be activated and registered with a monitoring company. In the case of Alarm Grid customers, you can sign up for a monitoring plan and set an appointment to activate the system, during activation you can request a firmware update. Once the panel and the keypad are updated, you can program your sensors and other peripherals if you're using a PROWLTOUCH or PROWLTOUCHC.

Communicators

The modular design of the VISTAH3 allows you to use only the equipment necessary for your installation. This means you're not paying for components and features that you don't plan to use. Out of the box, the VISTAH3 comes equipped with an ethernet communicator. This requires a hardwired internet connection using a Cat5/Cat5e cable and RJ45 connector. The panel can be monitored using only the ethernet connection.

If you're unable to get a hardwired ethernet cable to the panel, you may opt for the PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW module. As the name implies, the PROWIFI adds only WIFI capability while the PROWIFIZW adds the ability to use WIFI and Z-Wave Plus. The system can be configured to communicate via WIFI only.

For reliability, you can also add an LTE communicator. The PROLTE-A uses AT&T LTE as its carrier and the PROLTE-V uses Verizon LTE. Choose the carrier that has the best signal in the location where the panel will be installed, regardless of which carrier your cell phone may use.

When both IP (WIFI or ethernet) and LTE capabilities are enabled, it's called dual-path communication. Alarm Grid always recommends dual-path communication because each path has its advantages and disadvantages. WIFI and ethernet communication are slightly faster, but are less reliable than LTE communication. When both an IP and an LTE path are available, the system will use the IP path. The cellular path will be used if the IP path becomes unavailable.