How Do I Upgrade My 2GIG GC3 to a Honeywell PROA7PLUS?

You can upgrade your 2GIG GC3 to a Honeywell PROA7PLUS by installing a Honeywell Home PROTAKEOVER Module inside the PROA7PLUS Alarm Panel. This will allow you to use your existing GC3 Sensors with the PROA7PLUS System. You can bring over Honeywell 5800 Sensors OR 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors.

The 2GIG GC3 Security System supports 345 MHz wireless sensors. This includes uni-directional (one-way) sensors from the Honeywell 5800 Series and sensors from the 2GIG 345 MHz Lineup. Once you install a PROTAKEOVER Module inside the PROA7PLUS Panel, you can then use most of those GC3 Sensors with the PROA7PLUS System. But there are some important restrictions and limitations that you must keep in mind.

First, while the 2GIG GC3 can support Honeywell 5800 Sensors AND 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors simultaneously, the PROA7PLUS and PROTAKEOVER Module Combination does not have that luxury. Instead, there is a rotary dial on the PROTAKEOVER that forces you to choose, one or the other. The dial ranges from 0 to 5. You can set the dial to 0 for supporting Honeywell 5800 Sensors, or you can set it to 1 for supporting 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors. But you can't set it to support both lineups at the same time. And since you can only install ONE (1) PROTAKEOVER Module inside the PROA7PLUS. This means you are forced to choose which lineup your system will support. If you had your 2GIG GC3 set up with ONLY Honeywell 5800 Sensors OR ONLY 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors, then this restriction won't really affect you. But if you mixed and matched from both lineups, then you will need to decide which family of sensors your PROA7PLUS will support, and which sensors you will need to replace on your new security system.

Second, if you are setting the dial on the PROTAKEOVER to 0 for Honeywell 5800 Sensors, then only the uni-directional (one-way) sensors can be used. You cannot use the bi-directional (two-way) Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors in any capacity. A general rule for determining if a Honeywell 5800 Series Sensor or other device is uni-directional or bi-directional is that if it uses a two-digit House ID for pairing with a system, then it is bi-directional and won't pair with the PROA7PLUS. The uni-directional sensors won't use this House ID for pairing. Some examples of bi-directional sensors from the Honeywell 5800 Series include the Honeywell 5828 Keypad, the Honeywell 5800RL Relay, and the Honeywell 5800WAVE Siren. It is worth mentioning that these bi-directional sensors also won't pair with the 2GIG GC3 System, as that system has the same restriction in that it can only support uni-directional sensors from the Honeywell 5800 Series. But it is still worth mentioning in case you were going to add other Honeywell 5800 Series devices later. Also, if the you set the PROTAKEOVER Module dial to 1 for supporting 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors, then you won't have to worry about this, because all the 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors are uni-directional and should theoretically work with the PROA7PLUS, unless otherwise noted. This does not include the 2GIG eSeries Sensors, which are encrypted and will not work with the PROA7PLUS.

Lastly, there are some types of sensors that cannot be used with the PROTAKEOVER, no matter which product lineup they are associated with. You cannot use any life-safety sensors with the PROTAKEOVER Module, including any smoke detectors, heat detectors, or carbon monoxide (CO) detection sensors. The PROTAKEOVER Module was intentionally designed to not support these sensors for safety reasons. Most key fob devices are also incompatible with the PROTAKEOVER Converter. One thing we definitely suggest is reviewing the PROTAKEOVER Compatibility Chart to see which sensors are listed as compatible. Any sensor not on the chart is not guaranteed to work with the PROTAKEOVER Module. You may notice some interesting absences, including the Honeywell 5800MINI Door/Window Sensor and the Honeywell 5800C2W Wired to Wireless Converter. You can try those devices to see if they can enroll, but anything not on the compatibility list isn't promised to work.

Anyone needing to buy BOTH a PROA7PLUS Security System AND a PROTAKEOVER should buy one of our bundled kits that include the PROA7PLUS Panel, a PROTAKEOVER Converter, and a Honeywell LT-CABLE. Depending on the kit you get, it may also get an LTE cellular communicator. This will provide an optional secondary communication path for communicating with the AlarmNet servers and the central monitoring station, in addition to the panel's built-in WIFI card that is used for internet protocol (IP) communication. Using IP and cellular together like this is called dual-path communication. The advantage to dual-path communication is that the panel will still have its cellular communication path available in the event that the internet is down. This is very important for ensuring that your alarm system stays connected at all times. For our PROA7PLUS Kits that include the PROA7PLUS (listed below), you can choose between a dual-path kit with AT&T LTE & WIFI, a dual-path kit with Verizon LTE & WIFI, or a WIFI only base kit with no added cellular communicator. If you are trying to decide between AT&T and Verizon, just go with whichever network provides more consistent service in the area where the security system is being used. You can check coverage maps if you are unsure. Remember that if you are using dual-path connectivity with both IP and cellular, then you will need a monitoring plan that includes cellular communication, such as an Alarm Grid Gold or Platinum Level Plan (Self or Full). If you want to learn more about our monitoring plans, check out this blog post.

PROA7PLUS RF Takeover Kits

Complete the following steps to upgrade to a PROA7PLUS from a 2GIG GC3:

1. Install the PROTAKEOVER Converter. Start by powering down your PROA7PLUS System if it isn't already. To do this, you must drop both AC power from its plug-in transformer, plus battery power from its backup battery pack. You can drop AC power by unplugging the system's transformer from the outlet, or by turning off power at the circuit breaker. To remove battery power, you must take the panel off its backplate and unplug the battery pack from its port. Remember to remove the bottom set screw on the panel before trying to take the system off its backplate.

The PROTAKEOVER Module comes with a new backplate for the PROA7PLUS. You must use this new backplate, and you can no longer use the original stock backplate that came with the PROA7PLUS System. The reason for this is because the PROTAKEOVER Module backplate has an antenna inside that is necessary for the module to work properly. Without this antenna, the PROTAKEOVER will have virtually zero wireless range. There are two (2) metal prongs on the PROTAKEOVER Module that make direct contact with the inner backplate antenna when everything is installed properly. If you had the system mounted on the original backplate, then you can simply dismount that backplate, and mount the new PROTAKEOVER backplate in the same spot.

Once you have the PROA7PLUS off the backplate, turn the system over so that its backside is facing you. This is the opposite side from the touchscreen. You should find a slot cover on the right-hand side. You can slide this cover off quite easily. With the cover off, you can then carefully insert the PROTAKEOVER Module. Make sure to set the dial on the PROTAKEOVER to 0 or 1, depending on which wireless sensor family you are supporting. You will know that the unit is properly installed, as the set screw slot will line up with the corresponding hole in the panel plastic. It is optional to apply the set screw, but we recommend doing so if you want to keep the unit as secure as possible.

After you finish installing the module, reapply the side cover. Then reapply system power by connecting the backup battery first, and then AC power second. For the battery, you can just plug the connector back into the port. Keep in mind that the system will not boot up on battery power alone. Then restore AC power by plugging the transformer back into the outlet or by restoring power at the circuit breaker. Then finish by mounting the system on the backplate that came with the PROTAKEOVER. If you are having trouble, then refer to the PROTAKEOVER Installation Guide for further assistance.

2. Enroll old GC3 Sensors. Now you will enroll the existing 2GIG GC3 Sensors with the PROA7PLUS System. Remember that you can only use Honeywell 5800 Sensors if you set the PROTAKEOVER Module dial to 0, and you can only use 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors if you set the PROTAKEOVER Module dial to 1. You cannot pair life-safety sensors or key fob devices. Anything not listed in the compatibility chart isn't guaranteed to work. Keep in mind that there is no need to delete the devices from the GC3 System first. All the devices you are bringing over are non-encrypted sensors that can be paired with both system simultaneously. In fact, deleting them from the GC3 serves little purpose, especially if you are no longer even using the GC3 System.

One very important aspect of the PROA7PLUS is that it does not support local programming as of April 2021. The only way that the system can be programmed is remotely by an alarm monitoring provider. You must get the system monitored and have your provider enroll your existing GC3 Sensors. If you are retaining the same monitoring company, then they can likely access your GC3 Programming and use that information to set up your new PROA7PlUS. But if you are switching monitoring companies, or if your monitoring company cannot access the programming information for your GC3, then you will need to provide them the zone information for the sensors. We will cover the process for access GC3 Zone Programming so that you can access the information you need to share with your monitoring company. It is recommended that you compile the information in an easy-to-read document or spreadsheet that you can share with your monitoring provider, as that will make it easy as possible for them to transfer the 2GIG GC3 programming information to your new PROA7PLUS.

To access GC3 programming, start from the main screen of the system. Click the 2GIG logo in the upper-right, then enter the Installer Code (default 1561). Then select System Configuration, followed by Wireless Zones. This is the Wireless Zones Menu where you can see all the system zones. The information you need to provide is the Sensor Type, Serial Number, Loop Number, and Voice Descriptors. Again, you only need to provide the information for zones that you are needing to bring over to the PROA7PLUS. Any zone for a sensor not making the transition to the new system does is not needed for this purpose. Again, present the information in an organized document to make it as easy as possible for your monitoring company as they go to program your new system. When you are finished, press the Return to System Configuration button at the top of the screen. Then press the back arrow on the left-hand side of the screen. You do not need to save any of the changes on the GC3. Since the GC3 only has room for 100 zones, and the PROA7PLUS has room for 123 legacy zones, you will definitely be able to bring over all your compatible GC3 Sensors, and also have some extra zones left over for adding additional sensors if you choose. Additionally, the PROA7PLUS also has 127 other zones for encrypted Honeywell SiX Sensors and PROSIX Series Sensors. In total, the system supports a maximum of 250 zones.

3. Test the PROA7PLUS System. After the system has been programmed, you should then perform a Walk Test for your system. Make sure it is on Test Mode with the central station before doing this. To access system Test Mode, begin from the main PROA7PLUS screen, and choose the three (3) horizontal bars at the bottom. Select Tools, and then enter the Installer Code (default 4112). Then pick System Tests, and then Test Sensors.

Your programmed sensors should appear on the screen. If you do not see a sensor, then it was not programmed successfully. Click the Start Test button in the upper-right. Choose OK to begin the test. The panel will emit a loud beep. Go around and fault, or activate, every programmed sensor. You should see the activated sensors appear at the top of the screen in bold. Make sure that every programmed sensor is displayed on the screen when faulted. Once you have finished testing every sensor, click the End Test button in the upper-right. You can then return home by pressing the security icon in the bottom-right, or by repeatedly pressing the return arrow in the upper-left corner.