Outdoor Motion Sensor With ADT Pulse

ADT Pulse requires an “event” to trigger a recording.  Some of the cameras compatible with the system can record detected motion to a DVR.  These cameras will not record to the ADT Pulse system with the same detected motion stimulus.  With the Pulse system the user has to base recordings on a triggering event.

An example of a trigger could be a door opening, light coming on, an alarm event or motion detection via a security motion sensor (not camera).  When I first obtained my ADT Pulse system, I was somewhat disappointed to discover I could not record video of people who came to my door when I was not home.  The solution seemed obvious, create a “trigger” based on a tripped motion sensor by the door.  The problem, ADT Pulse did not offer or support outdoor motion sensors with any of the Pulse packages.  ADT may offer outdoor sensors independently of the ADT Pulse system.  Unless already have an outdoor sensor or request one installed with your ADT Pulse there is NO ADT pulse package that will enable you to record events outside your home, based on motion.

A motion detector is technically a security module.  Triggers and alerts can be created for any motion detector that is part of your security system.  In my case, the security panel is a Concord 4.  The Concord 4 panel integrates with the ADT Pulse IHub to present the end user with an integrated security/home control system.   Any module that is supported and controlled by your security panel is observable and manageable through the ADT Pulse interface (web portal or touchscreen).  While ADT Pulse does not come with an outdoor motion detector module, the Concord 4 panel does support this type of motion sensor.    Any outdoor motion sensor that is part of a Pulse compatible security system should work with ADT Pulse.

 

The VX-402R is a heavy duty, outdoor motion detector that utilizes a variety of transmitters.  For my solution I used the Caddx NX-650.  Joining a VX-402R to the Concord 4 panel requires the user to join the module via shortcut option on the security keypad or utilizing the installer code.

Once the outdoor motion detector is installed, the user can set up automations based on motion, via the ADT Pulse web portal.  Most security panels support some sort of outdoor motion sensor.  Make sure the sensor you choose is compatible with your security panel.   This may seem obvious to some.  I get about one email a month asking how to set this up.  Hopefully, this blog post will help end users tweak their own system.  Good luck.

GE 60-742-95R Freeze Sensor

I got this sensor for Christmas. I can’t see letting it sit on the shelf. The initial install into the ADT Pulse/Concord 4 home automation system had a whoops on my part.

The directions for this device clearly state, “Do not place on an outside wall.”  That makes sense. An outside wall will radiate the cold through to the sensor. Heading this advice, I placed the sensor on a stud, approximately 3 inches off the wall, right next to the main water line.

At 4:32 in the morning on a particularly cold day, I discovered the error of my ways. The main water line travels past the observation window for the gas line. The sensor was near this window. Cold air streams in through this observation port. The small glass block has zero insulating value.  I believe this is the location of a previous water line freeze.

I moved the sensor off the wall entirely and placed it near the floor, in the room that takes the brunt of the winter wind. If it goes off in that location there is no doubt I have an issue.

Over the years our pipes have froze once. It was -25 with a strong wind. There was no damage since we caught it early. I am not sure the sensor would have gone off under these circumstances. GE Freeze sensors need to be calibrated through the security panel. You set the temperatures via the Concord 4 panel. The device is placed in sensor group 29.  The Freeze Sensor is considered a security device and has to be entered into the system via the Concord 4 security panel.  Once added, it will appear in the ADT Pulse system as a “Freeze Sensor.”   If the device is tripped it will not call the monitoring station.  You will need to set up an “alert” in the ADT Pulse system to send you a text in the event the Freeze Sensor is tripped.  Sensor group 29 WILL sound your home alarm once tripped.

Manual for GE 60-742-95R Freeze Sensor.

ADT Pulse Garage Door Opener/Closer

For a long time I have wanted to set up my ADT Pulse system to open and close my garage.   A vacation from work has given me the opportunity to find a method to control my garage.  I also wanted to set up a way for the system to close my garage if it was unintentionally left open.

To set up the system I used a Zwave appliance module and followed the instructions located at the following links:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Z-Wave-Garage-Door-Opener-Switch/#step1

The link below has a part in it advising how to set up your relay.  Power goes into post 7 and 8 on your relay.  Posts 5 and 3 are hooked up to your garage door opener.

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,4773.0.html

With the device installed I named my appliance module “Garage Door Opener”.   On the garage I installed a GE Design line Garage Door Sensor, model Number TX-8010-1.  You will need to “learn” this sensor into your security system.  I placed this sensor in zone 1, group 11 on the concord panel.

I then created the following rules in the ADT Pulse system.   Garage door open, turn off appliance module (Called Garage Door Opener).  Garage door closed, turn off appliance module called Garage Door Opener.  These two rules force the appliance module to turn off after being activated.  This prevents the module from staying on and possibly burning out your door opener or relay.  It also sets up the garage door for the next open or close request.  See below:

I tried to create a rule that would shut the garage door by, when left open past a certain time.  I wanted to have a ‘fall back” in the event the garage door was left open overnight.  I set up a rule to power on the appliance module named “Garage Door Opener” if the garage door was open past 10pm.  Despite the garage door being open and the rule time passing, the garage door appliance module is not triggered.  I tried to remove the rule for turning off the appliance module “when open” thinking this created a conflict in the system.  Deleting this potential conflicting rule did not make a difference.

Unfortunately having a “trigger” to power on the module with the intent of closing a garage door unintentionally left open,  will also open the door when it is closed.   For example, setting up a rule to “power on the garage door module” when the panel is armed to “stay” mode, will also open the garage door if it is closed.

I was hopeful the GE garage door sensor would “update” its status of open to the panel.  I thought that this update would trigger the rule to power on the module, thereby closing the garage door.  This is not the case.  Perhaps I am missing an obscure setting in the Concord4 panel.  Maybe the sensor needs to be in a different security group?  I will continue to research.  Ideally I would like for the system to close the garage door when it is left open past a certain time.  Feel free to throw in your two cents.

EDIT: Once the garage door sensor is added you CAN see it via your Pulse portal. Since it is just an open or closed type sensor you can’t do much with it other than create automations based on its status. In short, the open/close sensor works perfectly with the pulse system.

ADT Pulse Premier User Review

ADT Pulse Premier is a decent system despite ADT’s best efforts to lock away the true potential this automation package contains.

The Pulse system is basically a home automation system that is tied into your alarm system.  By having Pulse on your alarm system you are provided with an easy interface to control lights, cameras and thermostats.  The website allows for the setting up of schedules, alerts and automation for any device tied to the system.  There are several systems of this nature on the market.  All claim superiority over the other.  Do your research to find the best system for you.

The web interface has several tabs which allow you to control and set up your system.  The touchscreen can also be used to interact with the pulse system.  The bulk of your setup and tweaking will come through the web-based interface.  From what I understand, this web interface is a portal to your IHUB, via ADT, IControl servers.  The IHUB is what allows for the interface with your system via the web and touchscreen.  The ADT pulse website gives a pretty good run down on what the system can do.  Generally, you are able to set up electronic trip wires that que the system to do something.  This can be done through outdoor motion sensors, indoor sensors or pretty much ANY device that is attached to the system.  Below is a screen shot of the web page you use to tweak your system.

You really can get creative with your system.   In my situation I have the lights coming on in all the bedrooms with a path to the door if the carbon monoxide or fire alarm goes off.  If somebody comes to the door, certain events occur depending on the hour of the day.  If you forget to arm the system, no problem I have an automation that takes care of it.  Most everything can be tweaked and you can set up the system to alert you via text and/or email.   Attached to this electronic message will be details of the event and if you choose, a picture or video.  If you are a gadget guy like me, you find yourself coming up with fun ways to customize the system.  Depending on your panel, you can use leak sensors to automatically shut off the household water if a leak is detected.  The zwave water shut off is something I have NOT dabbled in.

The Ihub-3000

The Ihub-3000 connects to your LAN, physically.  You need an open port on your router.  I noticed the Ihub’s IP and attempted to interface via the IP.  This brings up a screen asking for an activation key.  See below.

I have the key.  The installer left it.  I have not ventured past this screen shot since I am not sure what effect it will have on the Ihub.  If it were to default back to factory settings I would be unable to reconfigure the Ihub without a manual.  Looking over the installers shoulder during an Ihub replacement made it obvious there is more to just powering on this device.  I believe the Ihub is made by IControl.  The Ihub is pictured below.

GE Touch Screen

The touch screen has a 7 inch view screen and  is made by GE.  I would say it is somewhat limited.  You can arm your system, turn off and on lights, view cameras and read some basic information from the internet.  The touch screen acts like a glorified keypad.   See a picture below.

There is another touch screen out there that I have been unable to track down.  I might have to attempt to locate one through ADT.  It does not show up as an option for additional touch screens via the web interface however, it does appear in the ADT Pulse online manual.  Perhaps it is in a limited test market.  The screen is made by Netgear and is called the HSS101.  You can install up to four touch screens on the system. The Hss101 is pictured below.

My system has a Concord 4 panel.  With the touchscreen and installer code I am able to add NON approved zwave devices to my system.  When I say “non-approved” I am specifically talking about zwave devices allowed by the concord panel but NOT officially sanctioned for use with the ADT Pulse system.  Devices such as leak sensors, outdoor motion detectors, garage door open sensors and such would fall into this category.   This video gives a quick tutorial on how to access the installer screen from the touch screen.

You will have to ask ADT why they don’t open up the pulse system to allow an easier user configuration for zwave devices approved for use by Concord 4.  I suspect it has to do with marketing.   I believe ADT charges for carbon monoxide monitoring.  With the  installer code, the user can add a wireless carbon monoxide detector via the pulse touchscreen bypassing ADT’s revenue stream.

To install approved devices on Pulse you will have to go through the ADT web-based interface discussed above.  This is done through the “system” tab.   Approved devices include ONE type of wireless camera, wired analog cameras (attached to the NV412a-adt decoder), light switches, dimmer modules, lamp modules, additional touch screens, remotes and thermostats.  The lesson….GET THE INSTALLER CODE if you want to move beyond these devices.  Lately I have read posts on various blogs indicating ADT has removed the “installer” window on their touch screens.  If that is the case, tweaking the system may have to be done through the keypad.

ADT does not like you to have the installer code.  It denies them a revenue stream for adding modules or tweaking your system.  Recently, I wanted to add a duress code to my system.  ADT advised to do this I would need a tech to come to my house.  There would be a charge associated with the visit.  I thanked the operator on the phone for her time and hung up.

Armed with my installer code, I dusted of the Concord 4 manual.  Trying to get to the installer menu via the keypad did not work.  Going through the installer menu on the touchscreen did.  The touch screen installer menu has the option of “simulating” the keypad.  By using this you are able to navigate the options of your alarm panel.  Do this at your own risk.  It would be easy to get lost or accidentally alter settings, twisting your system into a useless cyber knot.

ADT Pulse Cameras

ADT is equally hesitant to allow you to install approved cameras.  They would much rather come to your house and charge you.  Light switches and lamp modules are easy enough to obtain.  The wireless and wired cameras are another story.  ADT’s wireless camera is the RC8021.  ADT has configured the Pulse system to only allow RC8021’s that are configured by ADT.   Getting a RC8021 from any other source will not work.  ADT charges 150 dollars for this very cheap piece of technology.

The wired camera’s are better.  At this point they are analog camera’s that run through a video decoder enabling the Pulse system to relay video.  Again ADT makes it as difficult as possible to get the necessary equipment.  In my case I purchased some ADT analog cameras on Ebay.  If you go this route, make sure you get cameras that will work with the decoders.  ADT has a list of analog camera’s at http://www.adt-matrix.com/.   On Ebay I picked up ADT A-CBVD36PI 600’s.  The cameras are fixed.  They do not have the option to zoom and they do not pick up sound.  This is not a huge loss for me since I am simply trying to monitor.  I have no need for these two options in my set up.  If you do, go with a DVR equipped to handle this function.  You can have up to ten cameras on your system.

The NV412A-ADT Decoder

Once you located your cameras you will need a decoder.  The model used by ADT is NV412A-ADT.  For me, these were impossible to locate from a non-ADT source.  The cameras hook into the decoder via your standard BNC type connection.  The decoder hooks into a switch.  The switch goes to the Ihub.  The switch can be any non-managed device.  ADT will install a netgear switch.  The NV412A’s have an output that you could connect to a DVR or any device that will accept a BNC type connection.  This enables the user to dual stream their video.  This is a function of the decoder ADT does not advertise.  The NV412-A is pictured below:

To get the NV412A’s I started with my local ADT sales agent.  She was always polite and seemed willing to help however, never once did she actually assist me in my effort to buy the above device.  After about a MONTH of back and forth via email I gave up.  I was stone-walled with reply’s indicating she had to check and make sure my cameras would work withe the decoder.  I was warned I might void my warranty.  It was one excuse after another.   I posted my saga on ADT’s Facebook page.

After the FB post I got some traction with a corporate rep out of Florida.  Very nice, professional and helpful.  Once she confirmed my cameras would work and warned me I was on my own she shipped the requested decoders to the ADT office in my area.  Be prepared to get frustrated if you seek to tweak your system with additional cameras on your own.  Keep at it and you should be successful.  Each decoder costs 75 dollars.  If you ask nicely you could probably get them down to 50 dollars.  If you are a USAA member, you should get a 10 percent discount.  This discount is also available for your install and monthly service bill.

Installing the cameras via the web portal was easy.  The hardest part of the whole process was the physical install.  Each decoder has a specific server number.  This number is entered during the install process on the web interface.  I believe these server numbers refer to an Icontrol server managed for ADT by Icontrol.  Again, NV412a’s are available outside of ADT if you look hard enough.  I am not sure they will work since they are not enabled on the ADT system or programmed to work with Icontrol servers.

ADT Payment Follies

Paying for these decoders proved somewhat of a nightmare.  ADT charged both my credit cards different amounts for the same equipment, despite having already paid for the devices.  In short, I paid three times for the same items.  My ADT contact in Florida was quick to fix the problem.  Later I received a bill for TAX on the install.  Again, my ADT contact in Florida fixed the problem.  It is troubling that ADT appears to be a MESS.  How many people get overcharged because they are not paying attention?  For my troubles I was granted four months of free monitoring.

I have had the system for over a year.  Generally, I am happy with the system.  Not so happy with ADT.  I believe they are missing a heck of a opportunity by NOT allowing easy access to the system by their users.  Many people like to tweak and add to their system.  It should not be so hard.

Thermostats

I steered away from ADT’s thermostats.  They offer two the RCS TZ43 and TZ45.  Both are controlled via zwave.  Things like humidity control are a part of higher end HVAC systems.  The TZ43 and 45 have no option to control humidity.  If you currently have this option you will lose it when you change over to the zwave approved thermostats offered by ADT.  I will stay away from zwave thermostats until ADT comes up with one that allows for humidity control.  The TZ45 is pictured below.

Tech Support

ADT’s Pulse Premier tech support is decent.  The individuals sent to my house for various issues have always been helpful, professional and nice.  They appear to be well-trained.  I believe their biggest challenge is the structure of ADT.

On one occasion my Ihub began dropping modules randomly.  It was determined the Ihub was faulty after approximately a year of flawless operation.  It needed to be replaced.  During the replacement process I was talking to the tech.  Although he was trained in the system he was not given the opportunity to work extensively with it.  Upon arriving at my house he found himself with the training but lacking the experience.  We actually worked together during the re-configuring process and learned much together.

After installing the new Ihub I had telephone contact with the ADT Pulse technical center.  These people are usually very knowledgable.   For sometime with the old Ihub and my new one I was getting error reports that a certain video event did not occur as programmed.  I learned that these messages were ALWAYS wrong.  ADT never seemed to have an answer for the false trouble events on camera recordings.  They appeared to be random.  See below:

Eventually a tech advised me these events were a known issue and would be resolved.  Several weeks later the problems ceased only to re-appear with the additional issue of recording for extended periods of time in 30 second intervals.  The result was a bunch of video I did not want.  Believing the issue to have been resolved and this new problem being unique, I called for a tech to come to my house.  The tech arrived and was professional and helpful.  After contacting ADT, she was eventually put in touch with IControl technicians.  They advised their servers were acting up.  IControl techs were surprised we were able to log on.  The issue was a known issue and had been going on for several days.  It would soon be resolved.

What is amazing to me is that NOBODY at ADT seemed to be aware of the “Known Issue.”  My tech was equally frustrated and went on to state that even if ADT knew about the issue she doubted they could reach out to ONLY pulse customers.  She explain that ADT had NO idea how many pulse systems were in my area.  They had no list other than one she created and that was probably out of date.  This seems odd and perhaps there is a reason for it that I am ignorant to.   I would think ADT would have the ability to send limited, focused emails about network issues to specific groups who were affected.  In this case, an email could have been sent to all pulse customers advising them of the problem.  This would limit calls for service….unless of course ADT itself had NO IDEA there was a problem.

My hope is this monster post attracts some other users of the Pulse system.  One source of frustration is the lack of “community” for the ADT pulse.  I would love a place or message board where people discuss or share information and problems they are having specifically with the pulse system.  I have not found that place.  Feel free to point me in the right direction.

ADT is missing the boat by not providing this online community for the pulse system.  It could be a link from your portal.  Given ADT’s culture I am not surprised they lack this feature.  The result would lead to self-sufficient users and I believe ADT fears this independence would lead to decreased revenue.  Users would solve their own problems.

Feedback is welcome.  I will continue to post thoughts on the ADT pulse system as they surface.  Good luck.

edit: The initial cost of the system install was approximately 1300 dollars.  This included two wired outdoor cameras, a couple of modules, a two poll light switch, key chain, concord 4 panel and touch screen.  I might be forgetting a few things.   I had to negotiate them down from 1900 dollars, if memory serves.  A three-year enslavement contract was signed as part of the deal.  The tweaking and addition of remotes by myself was done through ebay and http://www.homesecuritystore.com at greatly reduced cost.  I would never buy from ADT unless that is the only source for an item.