Taking back control of a monitored alarm system

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Taking back control of a monitored alarm system - adding an IP module myself

meowsqueak

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#262002 29-Dec-2019 10:48

I'm looking to drop my reliance on a telephone line, however I have a Bosch house alarm system that uses it for monitoring. Just basic PIR sensors and a few hard-wired smoke alarms.

I'd like to look at some kind of self-monitoring solution, however the quote for an IP module installation is astronomical (>$750). The module itself is about $300.

I feel that if I can get the hardware and correct information up-front, I can probably sort it out myself, but one thing that bothers me is the "installer's passcode", which I would need in order to provision the new IP module within the system.

Since I own the alarm system, do I have any way of obtaining or resetting the installer code? The system is currently monitored by Recon, however I suspect they will be very unwilling to share the code, especially if they reuse it across multiple installs.

What kind of options do I have?

timmmay

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#2382395 29-Dec-2019 11:05

Do you really need to get alerted when it goes off? Maybe the deterrent of the siren is enough?

When I left monitoring my company gave me all the information I asked for. It was easy to get monitored by another company.

davidcole

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#2382405 29-Dec-2019 11:32

Without buying the up module the only other diy solution is an arduino...or to look at one of Konnected options (either replace the main board or add their interface board).

Once you’ve got an up module then there should be ways of talking to it. Hopefully the monitoring company with either give you the codes, or change them to something other than their standard ones.

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Dratsab

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#2382408 29-Dec-2019 11:53

meowsqueak: Since I own the alarm system, do I have any way of obtaining or resetting the installer code? The system is currently monitored by Recon, however I suspect they will be very unwilling to share the code, especially if they reuse it across multiple installs.

You suspect correctly. If the installer code got into the wild you'd have burglars breaking into houses without fear of alarms as they'd simply be able to put this code in...

richms

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#2382424 29-Dec-2019 12:39

Dratsab:

meowsqueak: Since I own the alarm system, do I have any way of obtaining or resetting the installer code? The system is currently monitored by Recon, however I suspect they will be very unwilling to share the code, especially if they reuse it across multiple installs.

You suspect correctly. If the installer code got into the wild you'd have burglars breaking into houses without fear of alarms as they'd simply be able to put this code in...

The fact that the same code is used on every installation is enough of a reason to avoid a professional installer. What happens when someone does an eeprom dump of a panel they have installed, gets the code and then its in the wild?

Richard rich.ms

boosacnoodle

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#2382425 29-Dec-2019 12:41

Dratsab:

meowsqueak: Since I own the alarm system, do I have any way of obtaining or resetting the installer code? The system is currently monitored by Recon, however I suspect they will be very unwilling to share the code, especially if they reuse it across multiple installs.

You suspect correctly. If the installer code got into the wild you'd have burglars breaking into houses without fear of alarms as they'd simply be able to put this code in...

Couldn't someone then just get a job as an installer and then go break into peoples house with the code? Seems like a fairly good risk / reward ratio to get away without a trace. It should really be a separate code in each unit.

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#2382488 29-Dec-2019 13:42

I was, in the mid 80's, an Alarm Monitoring room manager. The company NEVER used generic or master codes for any client. It was always the owners code. The tech had to ring in to the Monitoring room, ID themselves correctly and we gave them the owners code if the owner was not at home.

Towards the end of my tenure, just before my nursing career, we were introducing Access Control Systems so we could turn on/off alarms, lock/unlock etc from the control room. It was quite expensive back then.

PS - used to monitor Olivia Newton John's alcoholic fathers place as well as a brothel in the Cross - fun days.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

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SomeoneSomewhere

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#2382578 29-Dec-2019 16:57

My understanding from the few times I've set these up is that the "Installer's code" only unlocks menu areas. It cannot be used to arm/disarm the system, and can only be used when the system is disarmed.

It's only there to stop the customer poking around and breaking things.

We just left it set to the default. Check the manual for what that is.

Ge0rge

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#2382856 30-Dec-2019 12:31

@richms:
@Dratsab:

meowsqueak: Since I own the alarm system, do I have any way of obtaining or resetting the installer code? The system is currently monitored by Recon, however I suspect they will be very unwilling to share the code, especially if they reuse it across multiple installs.

You suspect correctly. If the installer code got into the wild you'd have burglars breaking into houses without fear of alarms as they'd simply be able to put this code in...

The fact that the same code is used on every installation is enough of a reason to avoid a professional installer. What happens when someone does an eeprom dump of a panel they have installed, gets the code and then its in the wild?

You do realise that the Install Code will not let you disarm a Bosch alarm system, right?

It will only allow access to a system that is already disarmed.

Just because a company's "install code" got out in the wild, does not mean someone can use it to go breaking into houses and ripping people off.

I have had no issue getting the code before when I've asked - although I would try 2580 before calling, you never know.

snnet

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#2382955 30-Dec-2019 15:21

As an installer of alarms I've debated over and over with using numerous codes or one single code. There are pros and cons for both scenarios. On the very very odd occasion where a client requests their own code be entered, I accomodate them (so long as it isn't a leased product). As others have said the installer code is not the same as the master code for modern systems -- though I do know some installers DO insert a master code of their own, I don't believe all installers follow this (I don't). The reason for doing this is quick access to disarm an alarm when it is going off for some reason and the owner/tenant does not remember the code rather than reset the whole system.