I have an old CADDX NX-8 Alarm Panel. Working perfectly for 25 years. I have been using a Konnected system to integrate my Alarm Panel to Hubitat. However, my Konnected system did not make it through the migration to my new C8 Pro Hub. It is old and the software won't update. Rather than buying a new Konnected system, all I really want my Hubitat to know is when I have an Alarm Condition. There outputs on my Alarm Panel that can be used to indicate an Alarm Condition.
So I am looking for something like a ZWave Dry Contact Sensor where I can take the Alarm Panel output and trigger a ZWave event that I can then use Rules to take actions. Preferably a battery operated ZWave device. It will not be used as a Relay to power any other devices.
But I can't find a simple ZWave device that just takes 2 sensor wires. Is there a ZWave Dry Contact Sensor? Or some other ZWave device that I can easily modify to run the 2 Alarm panel wires into to trigger a ZWave event?
You can use any leak sensor as a dry contact sensor. If you buy one that has a cable and a probe, you can save soldiering wires to the contacts. Just cut off the probe end and wire it directly to your relay.
I have a bunch of these Zigbee sensors that I got on Ali Express:
No joy, here. Turns out I have an old Ecolink water sensor. But I believe it just senses Continuity between its 2 leads. Any Continuity and it reports the event.
But I am trying to connect this to a DC Alarm Panel output. Turns out that the Alarm Panel outputs even when not activated have a 0.7VDC potential. When the outputs are activated it goes to a 13VDC potential. But in both states, it has Continuity and therefore the Water Sensor is always active. Tilt.
I do not really have the electrical knowledge to solve this. Can I just put a 3.3V Zenner Diode in the circuit? Would this eliminate the Continuity below the 3.3V when the Alarm Panel output is off (but still has 0.7VDC) and then provide Continuity when the Alarm Panel output is on (13VDC)?
Or is there some other method I can use to have the Alarm Panel output create a ZWave event?
I use a Fibaro Smart Implant in my HW panel to arm, read arm status, monitor alarm and set siren off if need be thru a 24 hr zone. I do not think you can find them anymore however I have a Zooz Zen17 set up ready to put in the panel if need be. Just have not wired into the panel and checked yet but feel sure it will work. It has 2 relays and 2 12-24V inputs.
What's the latest on the driver for the new LR Zen17? Last I heard it wasn't ready. Another ZWJS thing. I've got a couple awaiting installation as well.
You may be able to make use of a 12v optocoupler relay between the alarm and the sensor. They usually have a setting to react to low or high incoming voltage, and based on that open or close the other side of the relay.
I use one on my alarm where I’m monitoring the 12v siren circuit for voltage - so if the siren is sounding it closes the relay. I’ve also used them for other projects.
I have 2, 1 have had a couple years. Both are 800 series. I have always used Jeff's driver but mine are not set as LR. His driver is very nice but I do not have a pro so I dont know about ZWJS.
However I'm using 12v as a high trigger with no ill effects. I'd imagine 13v would be survivable. YMMV. I tried to find one with a 12v rated high trigger and could not locate. (I also had a bag of these already from another project when I implemented this in my alarm panel. Been in there 1.5 years so far, but admittedly my siren rarely goes off )
So from the comments I received… Thank You, I tried both a simple 12VDC relay and a Zoos ZEN 17 relay. They both worked just fine. Since the simple relay also required something like my Zwave water sensor, I decided it was simpler to just use the ZEN 17 by itself.
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