Connecting 4-wire smokes to Ademco V15P

[[email protected]]

I'm trying to sort out the installation of 2 4-wire smoke detectors to
my Ademco Vista 15P panel. According to the instructions, I need to
connect power in a way that will allow the smokes to be reset. It
looks like the panel has a "trigger" point, where if I connect the +
power and program the trigger correctly, it will power down/up to
reset. Other than that, if I connect the power to auxillary power, the
smoke will not reset, which I'm assuming may contribute to possible
false alarms. Another alternative is to install a separate relay to
reset, but I don't really want to do that.

Am I on the right track with this? Is there a better alternative?
Does the "trigger" option work well?

Thanks, in advance, for your help!

Rob Houston

 

[JoeRaisin]

I'm trying to sort out the installation of 2 4-wire smoke detectors to
my Ademco Vista 15P panel. According to the instructions, I need to
connect power in a way that will allow the smokes to be reset. It
looks like the panel has a "trigger" point, where if I connect the +
power and program the trigger correctly, it will power down/up to
reset. Other than that, if I connect the power to auxillary power, the
smoke will not reset, which I'm assuming may contribute to possible
false alarms. Another alternative is to install a separate relay to
reset, but I don't really want to do that.

Am I on the right track with this? Is there a better alternative?
Does the "trigger" option work well?

Thanks, in advance, for your help!

Rob Houston

You will want to switch the low, and follow the instructions in the
install manual closely. We have used this option a few times. It isn't
our first choice and we won't use it for more than a few smokes. But it
does work.

 

[[email protected]]

Joe:

Thanks for the response! What is your first choice-----a relay?

Thanks again,

Rob

 

[Crash Gordon]

It's a lot easier to use 2 wire smokes...you just connect them to the fire
zone put the resistor at the last smoke and program the zone...done. No
power supervision relay etc...

 

[[email protected]]

Crash:

Agreed----but I already have 4-wire smokes that I want to use.

Thanks for the response,

Rob

 

[[email protected]]

So, for the experts, I have one more question------if I decide to
install new 2-wire smokes instead, do they always have to be connected
to Zone 1 on the Vista 15P panel? The installation instructions
suggest this, but I always thought they could be installed on any zone
that allows programming of a fire zone, as long as the correct polarity
is observed.

Your clarification is very much appreciated!

Rob

 

[Nick Markowitz]

I have used altronix low draw relay rsbn ttl? and works fine had similar
deal were existing system had 4 wire smoke

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[[email protected]]

Thanks, Nick! This is very helpful.

Regards,

Rob

 

[Crash Gordon]

I've always used Zone 1 since it's designated as the 2 wire fire zone. But,
I suppose you could measure the voltage across zone 1 and compare it to the
other zones...it "may" be the same since all EOLRs are the same value...if
the voltage is the same you could try it.

 

[Frank Olson]

I've always used Zone 1 since it's designated as the 2 wire fire zone.
But, I suppose you could measure the voltage across zone 1 and compare it
to the other zones...it "may" be the same since all EOLRs are the same
value...if the voltage is the same you could try it.

It won't work. A guy that's now a customer of mine already tried it.
Screwed up his system big time (he didn't "break it", but we had to rewire
it and reprogram the thing). You can program other zones as "fire", but
only for four wire smokes and contact devices. Two wire smokes must be
terminated to zone one.

 

[[email protected]]

Frank:

Thanks for the clarification. Zone 1 it is......

Rob

 

[JoeRaisin]

Frankly with that panel my first choice would be 2-wire smoke. Next,
use a relay module, third I would go with the on-board relay.

Keep in mind that we use the onboard as a last resort because it is a
new feature on these particular boards and some of the more experienced
tech's prefer to wait on using new features.

In the instances we have used the feature, as far as I know there have
not been any problems. Setting it up can be a bit confusing, tho...

 

[[email protected]]

Joe:

Thanks for the information. I'm seriously considering just using
2-wire smokes, if only to simply things a bit.

Rob

 

[Crash Gordon]

It was worth a think-over. Usually fire zones require a diff. EOLR since the
device is 12 v but noticed that the vistas all use one value resistor.

 

[mikey]

Zone 1 uses a false alarm feature on 2-wire smokes. On the first alarm, it
doesn't dial out, it resets the detector and waits 90 secs. If it alarms
again, a signal is sent.

 

[Crash Gordon]

Only if you want it to I believe.

Zone 1 uses a false alarm feature on 2-wire smokes. On the first alarm, it
doesn't dial out, it resets the detector and waits 90 secs. If it alarms
again, a signal is sent.

 

[RJD314]

If you do decide to use 4-wire smoke detectors, do not connect them to
zone 1.