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rossmcm

111 posts

Master Geek


#249255 2-May-2019 18:32

 

 

 

Our home has a Paradox brand security system with a keypad:

 

 

 

 

enter image description here

 

Over the years the keypad had become more and more unreliable to the point where the 0 key was very difficult to press successfully, and the 4-digit access code used a 0. A service person who was replacing the battery added an access code which was the old one but with the 0 changed to a 1.

 

A year or so on, and the same problem has developed with another key, so I looked into adding an access code myself. Turns out, the procedure for changing/adding access codes requires a master access code to be entered. The default access code according to the manual is 123456 or 000000, but the first one doesn't work, and the second one involves pressing the 0 key, one of which I don't have.

 

I believe these keypads usually work by pressing a conductive polymer against contacts on a printed circuit board. I would like to try cleaning this contact interface. Does anyone have any experience with this? In particular:

 

How do they come apart?!  There are no visible screws.  There are small openings on the "front door" hinge edge that look like they might have spring releases behind them.

 

I'm presuming it's possible that the keypad has some sort of anti-tampering protection.  Will disarming the system, powering down the control box and disconnecting the Lead-Acid battery be sufficient?   There is an outside squawker which I presume has a battery in it (though we've never replaced that one - whereas we've gone through two control box batteries in 10 years).

 

 

Any comments appreciated.

 

 


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andrewNZ
2487 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #2229661 2-May-2019 18:43
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The master code is unlikely to be the default, it would be pointless to have the alarm if the master code is a default.
The master code does everything including arming and disarming.

Your current code might be the master.



rossmcm

111 posts

Master Geek


  #2230111 3-May-2019 12:51

Good point,   thanks for your comments.


technician14
122 posts

Master Geek


  #2230948 4-May-2019 18:05
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hi your master will not be one of those 123456 or 000000 or 1234 or 0000, try enter then code if enter light flashes that's your master code, do not change user 1,2,3 they are for master codes 4 to 47 are your user codes, keypads are easy enough to replace just make sure if you do it yourself make sure you tell them the exact panel its going to , because some new keypads will not work on old panels, easy to just swap exact keypad, the keypads have 4 small tabs like hooks, just use a screwdriver to press it up then pull the front of gently, if you want to clean it take one of the battery leads and pull the fuse, then powering back up fuse in First then battery lead After, if the outdoor siren sounds after you cut the power and battery it will have one in it, they keypad does not have a tamper in it



rossmcm

111 posts

Master Geek


  #2231016 5-May-2019 02:09

Thanks for those comments. You obviously are familiar with these beasts.

You mention pulling a fuse - presumably switching off the circuit involved would achieve the same result?

I have tried disconnecting the battery and that had the effect of bringing up the battery trouble light.

You mentioned the possibility of the external sounder going off when the power is removed from the controller. I don't know whether the external sounder has a battery - if it does, it's never been replaced in 10 years. If it does, and the external alarm goes off, I guess my only course of action there is to reconnect the power and battery..

I could of course just isolate the keypad by undoing the associated wiring on the controller ?..

Or take it apart with the power on.

Goosey
2829 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #2231050 5-May-2019 09:49
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To isolate power, turn off the power switch (or there may be a fuse labeled 'alarm' in the fuse box). Also disconnect the battery. 

 

 


technician14
122 posts

Master Geek


  #2231076 5-May-2019 10:37
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yes as goosey says, if you don't do the battery and turn the beaker or fuse out it will just get drained, yes the switchboard fuse will be the same as the panel fuse, you will ONLY find out if the external siren has a battery if you turn the power off and disconnect the panel battery then the siren will sound if it does, also what trouble light is on? (push trouble and see then hash to get out again)




rossmcm

111 posts

Master Geek


  #2231339 5-May-2019 22:54

The trouble key LED is continuously lit.  If I press it I get the digit 8 key displayed (timer fault - presumably because a real-time clock is not set).   If I disconnect the battery, digit 1 and digit 8 are on.  1 I believe is a battery fault.

 

 

 

Q: If the external squawker goes off when I remove the power and the battery, presumably (hopefully) connecting up the power and battery will stop it ?


 
 
 

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technician14
122 posts

Master Geek


  #2233279 8-May-2019 20:33
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yes to question connecting both will stop it, least youll know if it has a battery,
with trouble hit trouble button then hit 8 then enter time in 24hr then itll make a confirm beep then trouble will disappear

rossmcm

111 posts

Master Geek


  #2233388 8-May-2019 23:05

Thanks for your reply. All good. I repaired the keypad with a few pieces of self-adhesive copper foil, fixed the timer and all is well. No false triggers, keypad works, no trouble LEDs showing on keypad.


technician14
122 posts

Master Geek


  #2235114 11-May-2019 19:29
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your welcome, all good

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