Texecom Preimer 24 and Ricochet 8XP-W Alarm System - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 19, 2012, 08:48:02 pm
content: This can't really be classified as a teardown because you have to take this type of product apart in order to install it. However, I thought it'd be rude not to share some photo's of the product whilst I was at it.So, a few months ago I moved into a new house and a week later, some "people" decided to break into my house while I was halfway up the M6.The bastards stole my hammer, so I thought that's it, I'm not messing about now, I'm going to fit a good alarm.I have known about Texecom for a while and I like their products, so it was a no brainer which alarm system to choose. Texecom, despite the name, is an English company and as far as I know, they make everything locally. They even have their own in house injection moulding facility for the housings. They also a very well respected brand in the security industry.The kit I purchased included a Premier 24 panel, a Ricochet 8XP-W wireless expander, 3x wireless IR devices, 1x wireless door contact, 1x proximity keypad and a wireless remote key fob. In addition, I purchased 2x wireless door contacts and 5x proximity fobs to work with the keypad.The panel can be programmed with a computer via serial or USB, but you need a proprietary cable. I did not buy the cable which did no justice to my male (engineering) ego however because it meant I had to download and spend an afternoon reading the "instructions" detailing how to program the panel via the remote keypad. The instructions were very good (from and engineers perspective) and I did get over my ego reasonably quickly.The wireless system employs a mesh protocol so devices can be placed further away from the panel and not have to transmit at higher power because they can relay their signal via another nearby device. This saves battery power.Texecom claim that the batteries should last for two years.Right, so time for some pictures, although I'll have to apologise in advance for some of the pictures being of unacceptable quality. My mind was on other things.This is the kit in it's box.The 8XP-W expanderRemote Proximity KeypadWireless remote key fobPremier 24 panelRicochet wireless IR deviceInside of one of the wireless door contactsThe Texecom Odyssey wired bell box. I opted for the 115dB bell box over the 109dB box for the simple reason that it's louder. I don't know why anyone would opt for a quieter version if a louder one exists. However, I might add that it is *ing loud. It does have an engineers hold-off mode which can be activated via the keypad. You don't want that thing going off right in your earhole when you are up a ladder.Bell box battery backup, tamper switch and connections. The perspex cover is to protect engineers from the high voltages present in the strobe circuit.Now, having connected it all up and all the modules fire up, this was the stage where I realised that I might have to download the engineers instructions pretty soon.I am very pleased with the feature set and ease of use of this system. I am not quite using the Premier 24 panel to it's full potential. The next module to invest in will be a GSM dialler. I'd also like to program some of the outputs to activate floodlights etc.

author: oliver602
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2012, 12:54:56 am
content: Here's a 1996 Texecom panel for comparison.

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 20, 2012, 09:07:46 am
content: That's interesting. Not a lot has changed really apart from the new ones using SMD's. The layout is pretty much the same.The spare fuse is a nice touch, Texecom are still doing this.

author: oliver602
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2012, 12:38:09 pm
content: Fuse F1 and the diode beside in the 1996 panel are for reverse battery protection. Don't see any fuses in your panel besides at the AC in to the transformer. Why would they still use a transformer and not a SMPS?

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 21, 2012, 11:40:33 pm
content: Ye, my panel just has a fuse for the mains inlet.I guess they don't use SMPS because it just isn't necessary. There aren't any large currents or lack of space. Besides a good old 50Hz transformer based power supply is more reliable, less to go wrong.

author: cybergibbons
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2012, 03:24:29 pm
content: How are you finding the alarm? I'm interested in analysing one of these from a security perspective.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2012, 05:42:42 pm
content: The modern panels use polyfuses ( the yellow discs) in place of fuses, as they are self resetting. The transformer is used as no cheap SMPS will last 20 years, which is expected from an alarm control panel.Kibi, you are going to cry when you have to go out in 2 years and buy a dozen or so CR123 cells to replace those that came with the system, at least a wired alarm has only a single reasonably cheap battery to change. The low battery chirp will drive you batty when it turns on one morning in winter at 3AM........

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2012, 07:11:45 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on May 15, 2012, 05:42:42 pmCR123's are available in Li-Ion cells though.but certainly good SMPS's does last 20 years but there's no point of a SMPS in a low power draw system as hey, one only needs so and so watts, and they don't need a huge linear transformer to do the jobWe must remember what SMPS were supposed to do : Increase Efficiency and Decrease Weight but not COST.