DIY Wireless Home Alarm Systems Recommendations

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › DIY Wireless Home Alarm Systems Recommendations

ReeceG

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#298418 15-Jun-2022 21:08

Hello!

I am looking into a new alarm system for my house and would like to DIY it with a Wireless system.

I have been looking overseas but the Z-Wave equipment looks to be a no go in New Zealand due our regulations: (First post in this Forum)

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=73&topicid=223277

Has anyone imported a system from UK/USA? Looking at the likes of Abode, Ring, SimpliSafe, Boundary etc.

The DIY wireless options in NZ seem to be limited and very average:

- EUFY which has no proper siren system available.

- SMANOS - just seems cheap and nasty. - Has anyone been successful using this kit?

- CHUANGO - same as above.

- AJAX Alarms - looks like they require you to go through a technician to purchase and install.

Alternatively has anyone used a Konnected system to add onto an existing alarm system successfully?

Any recommendations are very welcome, I'm currently sitting on an old Micron Z6L alarm that does do the job but lacks the smart phone capabilities.

MarkM536

309 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2930163 16-Jun-2022 01:03

ReeceG:

I'm currently sitting on an old Micron Z6L alarm that does do the job but lacks the smart phone capabilities.

I would look into replacing the motherboard on your current alarm system with one that accepts an IP connectivity module.

That saves spending money replacing sensors and sirens.

Daynger

435 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2930767 17-Jun-2022 09:30

Stay hardwired and upgrade the whole lot with something decent. DSC, Bosch, Paradox.

The micron will fail at some point, and when it fails it will be at night in winter, the sirens will run, the codepad wont do anything, so the sirens will continue to run.

The only way to shut it up is to disconnect the system from power, and the backup battery, and potentially the backup battery in the external siren, all very fun in the middle of the night with the sirens running.

Starlith

208 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#2930816 17-Jun-2022 09:35

I have AJAX, brilliant alarm and kit although a technician needs to source it and install.

It looks very easy to install yourself just not sure how you would get your hands on the kit to do it.

The app is very easy to use and has all the details you would need about your system and the components battery life etc.

psychrn

1603 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#2954016 12-Aug-2022 17:53

Came across this thread and thought Id look into more for our own situation.

My wife and I have a smaller unit.

Looking at a simple DIY self install wireless system.

So far have seem Eufy which looks like a possible.

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tchart

2379 posts

Uber Geek

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#2954026 12-Aug-2022 18:29

I’ve only got the motion sensors but they are pretty good. I’ve got a bunch of dlink cameras so I’ve not yet ventured into the other bit and pieces.

https://heykangaroo.com/products

Edit forgot to mention that there is no cost for their basic plan.

Tinkerisk

4224 posts

Uber Geek

#2954070 12-Aug-2022 22:55

I don't have an explicit alarm system. For me, it's the security and monitoring part of Home Assistant that does the home monitoring with appropriate sensors. This enables all conceivable modes in which the house can be externally and internally.

- NET: FTTH, OPNsense, 10G backbone, GWN APs, ipPBX
- SRV: 12 RU HA server cluster, 0.1 PB storage on premise
- IoT: thread, zigbee, tasmota, BidCoS, LoRa, WX suite, IR
- 3D: two 3D printers, 3D scanner, CNC router, laser cutter

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2956536 19-Aug-2022 11:47

or you can do what I did and retrofit your current alarm to being partially-wifi capable.

i wrote an instructable for it https://www.instructables.com/Alarm-PIR-Movement-to-Home-Automation/