Connect cell phone to alarm system

[straygrey]

I would like to connect one of my redundant Android phones to my old Caddix Ranger 8600E alarm system so that I may organise to receive an message on alarm activation rather than call service company, who by the way I have cancelled.
Can this be done? I am quite capable of creating an Android app to do that side of things.

 

[riscbroker]

Have a look at Tasker and Trigger - these apps are for automating tasks on Android devices. You could monitor an aux/siren output from your alarm and use that to trigger an event on the phone- such as speed dialling your number. Should be doable if you can write the event.

 

[WireFree]

Your alarm system may be using a voltage level change on a digital output pin to indicate that the alarm has been activated, or it may have a serial interface to indicate different alarms.

You may need to get a external device that allows you to monitor the output pin or serial interface via the USB port, then a simple app will probably do the job for you.

A cheap programmable GSM module or modem might also do the job.

 

[blueowl]

here's another idea that won't require much programming in android:

- android device/phone with Macrodroid or Tasker or similar
- dummy 12V wifi modem

1) hook up the wifi modem to the 12V output on the alarm (you may need to fiddle with electronics here and maybe put a relay so that when you get the alarm signal, the relay switches on the wifi modem on and keeps it on for a few minutes
2) on the android phone in Macrodroid or similar, set the wifi network appearing to act as a trigger, and set the task to whatever you want - in this case, make a call, send an sms, send a whatsapp message to your phone number

not much programming needed but perhaps a small relay/timer between the alarm unit and your wifi unit.

@WireFree - i've been looking for programmable gsm modules, but i have seen anything but cheap (cheapest i've seen was R1,300 and up IIRC). Are there any cheap cheap gsm modules one can find (even if they are second hand)? If so please share? Thanks!

 

[krieg]

I connected an Arduino to my Paradox alarm's com serial interface (C-BUS). On the Arduino forums there was some DSC alarm code which I used which did the trick. Once you understand the packet format you can manipulate the alarm system in the same way as using the keypad. You can then connect the Arduino and Android together and communicate in serial when an event is triggered. There are also add-ons for Paradox and DSC alarms which can connect the alarm system to the internet.

 

[WireFree]

@WireFree - i've been looking for programmable gsm modules, but i have seen anything but cheap (cheapest i've seen was R1,300 and up IIRC). Are there any cheap cheap gsm modules one can find (even if they are second hand)? If so please share? Thanks!

Ok. My mistake. I assumed that cheap programmable GSM modules, for simple projects like communication with alarm systems, would be readily available. I see that most of the cheap modules available locally are surface mount. The surface mount Telit modules are programmable with Python, but you would need to design a board for these modules.

The best I could find was module in the UK:
http://www.adaptivem2m.com/m2m-modules/wireless-m2m-modules.htm
https://adaptivemodules.co.uk/index.cfm/fa/shopdetails/Product_ID/1054/Category_ID/30
http://www.adaptivemodules.com/assets/telit/xL865-Converter-Board-Datasheet.pdf

The above does not seem to have a SIM card slot, in which case you may need to get
http://www.adaptivem2m.com/gsm-terminal-card/aq-g24-gsm-terminal-card.htm
https://adaptivemodules.co.uk/index...ct_ID/343/Category_ID/15/Sub_Category_ID/125?
http://www.securio.net/modules/shop/clients/256/files/Adaptive-Modules-AQ-card-datasheet.pdf

The GPRS models are about R600 and R1150 respectively (at the current GBP-ZAR exchange rate) excluding the cost to import. It's a pity nothing equivalent is available locally.


I have some old STEPPII or STEPPIII tracking units (about 8 years old) that were not used. These units have digital input ports, analogue input ports and output ports. For more information see
http://www.falcom.de/support/documentation/steppii/

They are programmable using the Falcom PFAL command language. You can trigger events (like sending SMS or GPRS message) based on changes on the input pins (or specific serial data).
I haven't tested these old units to check if they still work (Lithium Ion battery probably needs to be replaced).
If you are interested you can have one for R500. Note, there is no warranty on these old units.

 

[riscbroker]

I reckon a cheapo Android phone is the way to go. No import duty/VAT/type approval etc.

Use Trigger/Tasker/Macrodroid to act on an event that is notified via relay eg as per blueowl with a wifi modem, or simply by monitoring power status to the phone.

 

[WireFree]

The Wifi + android phone with Macrodroid will probably work, however you will not be able to detect what triggered the alarm. Your alarm company is able to determine if one of the zone sensors was triggered, panic button was pressed, fire alarm, mains power loss, low battery, etc.

A quick google for the Caddix Ranger 8600E manual that straygrey has, shows that it has 4 output ports. To be able to determine what triggered the alarm, you will need monitor these 4 pins.

@blueowl - a programmable 868MHz LoRa module may also be an alternative to a programmable GSM module. The MultiTech mDots (under R1000) are programmable and have digital input/output pins. Connect one mDot to the output ports of the alarm and have it relay any voltage level changes to another mDot. The second mDot can be connected to a Raspberry Pi or use the USB mDot/xDot developer board connected to your PC. Based on which output pins have voltage level changes you can determine what triggered the alarm and then your Raspberry Pi or PC can send an SMS, email, etc.. You could use the different mDots around your house to monitor opening/closing of the garage door, gate, etc..