September 2019 Archives

The Alarm Grid main headquarters in South Florida is closed due to Hurricane Dorian. At this time, only our remote offices are operational. The technicians at these remote offices will still be working to check your calls and emails. Please understand that we are short-staffed at this time.

Remember that the best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. You may also call us at (888) 818-7728 during our business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. Wait times may be slightly longer than usual due to our limited number of staff. Additionally, there may be shipping delays on certain products.

Keep in mind that our main headquarters closing does not affect your monitoring service. Our monitoring partner, Criticom Monitoring Services, operates three (3) monitoring stations. Even if one goes offline, the other two will still be there to pick up the slack. This redundancy is a major reason why we selected Criticom as our monitoring partner.

To everyone affected by Hurricane Dorian, we hope that you are safe and alright during these difficult times. We look forward to reopening our main headquarters as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding during this time.

Update: Our plan is to re-open fully Wednesday, September 4th. We will provide an update as soon as news is available.

Hi DIYers! It's time for another video recap. Our video team managed to put up five (5) new videos this time. We're sure they will help many people get the most out of their alarm systems. Hopefully you enjoy watching them as much as we enjoyed making them. Let's check out the newest videos!

Using a DSC PowerG Keypad With the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus

Joe explains how you can use a DSC PowerG Wireless Keypad with a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System. The IQ2+ works with a PowerG Keypad because it accepts the necessary 915 MHz frequency. The compatible PowerG Keypad is a push-button device that makes for a good secondary keypad for an IQ Panel 2 Plus. The keypad can be used in a second location in the building, such as by a back door. If you want a touchscreen keypad for the IQ2+, then the IQ Remote is a great option.

Using the 5800COMBO With the Lyric Alarm System

Jorge teaches users how they can use a Honeywell 5800COMBO with a Honeywell Lyric Alarm System. The 5800COMBO offers smoke, heat, freeze and carbon monoxide detection all in one convenient device. The sensor can use up to five (5) zones on the Lyric System. Each zone will have a different Loop Number according to function. These functions include smoke & heat detection, freeze detection, CO detection, RF supervision, and end of product life. If there is a function you do not want to use with the sensor, then you can skip programming for that zone.

Getting Remote Access to a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus

Jorge tells users how they can get remote access to a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Alarm System. This is done by getting the system monitored with service that includes access to Alarm.com. This is an interactive monitoring and automation platform that allows you to control your system remotely. By accessing Alarm.com through the mobile app on an Android or iOS device, you can arm and disarm the system, check its current status, control programmed Z-Wave devices, view the live feed for Alarm.com Cameras, and more.

5800C2W Support With the Lyric Alarm System

Jarrett explains how you can use a Honeywell 5800C2W with a Lyric System. This is a wired to wireless converter that lets you use hardwired sensors with the system. This is great if you are upgrading to the Lyric from a hardwired system. You can save a lot of money by not having to buy completely new sensors when your existing ones work just fine. You will typically want to have the 5800C2W in the same location as the old hardwired panel. This will make wiring as easy as possible. Mark the wires before switching them over!

Door Contacts - Overview

Jorge covers the basics for door contacts. These sensors let the system know when a door is opened. Most work in the exact same manner. There is a sensor, along with a smaller accompanying magnet. The sensor is placed of the door frame, while the magnet is placed on the moving part of the door. The sensor and magnet should be as close as possible when the door is closed. Alignment is also important. Opening the door will cause the magnet to separate from the sensor. This will let the sensor know to alert the system.

In observance of Labor Day, Alarm Grid is closed Monday, September 2, 2019. We will not be answering phone calls or checking support emails during this time. Any customer who needs to reach us during this time should email support@alarmgrid.com. We will reply back as soon as possible.

We would also like to use this opportunity to provide an update on Hurricane Dorian. As you may know, the main headquarters for Alarm Grid is located in South Florida. It is very likely that we will experience at least some of the effects of the hurricane. As a result, it is possible that our main headquarters may be closed Tuesday, September 3, 2019. It is impossible for us to make that determination at this time. We just want to make you aware of that possibility.

Alarm Grid has a couple of smaller offices further north in the United States that will not be affected by the hurricane. These offices will maintain business as usual Tuesday, September 3rd, regardless of what happens to our main headquarters. These technicians will still be around to answer your calls and reply to your emails. But please understand that we may be working with a limited staff. Additionally, it's possible that there may be shipping delays on orders. Again, we cannot confirm anything at this time. We are only making you aware of what might happen. We appreciate your understanding.

We also want to make it very clear that Hurricane Dorian will NOT affect your monitoring service. As you know, Alarm Grid is partnered with Criticom Monitoring Services for alarm monitoring. Criticom operates three (3) stations - one in Florida, one in California, and one in New Jersey. It is possible that the Florida station may go offline during the storm. If that happens, any incoming signals will be rerouted to one of the other monitoring centers. A central station will still be alerted to any alarm that may occur on your system, and action will be taken. This redundancy is a big reason why we chose Criticom as our monitoring partner.

Again, we are not saying that the Criticom Florida monitoring station will go offline. We are just making you aware of that possibility. And even if it does, it will have no impact on any of our monitored customers. To anyone being affected by Hurricane Dorian, we understand what you are going through. We wish you nothing but safety for yourself and your loved ones. Please stay safe and take proper precaution during this storm. We all hope to be back tomorrow to provide you with outstanding service and support. And if circumstances prevent that, we will be back as soon as possible.

If you need to reach us by phone, you can contact us at (888) 818-7728 tomorrow, Tuesday, September 3. Remember that our office hours are 9am to 8pm EST. Thank you for your support, and have a happy and safe Labor Day.