NX-6 S-L-O-W-L-Y flashing SERVICE light

[fdreano]

I have a very slowly service light coming on and off (maybe on for 5 seconds and off for 15 or more) which makes the system beep when setting the alarm but no other symptoms.   

The alarm company came out and couldn't figure it out and their 'guru' was supposed to show up and its been 2 weeks with me calling them to no avail.   Anybody have an idea what this is ?   

[ABLE1]

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

Sounds like one of those intermittent problems that will slowly drive a tech nuts trying to find it.

The only way to isolate the problem is systematically disconnecting devices to see when it stops or not.  This takes time an patience and $'s for the customer. 

On the other hand it could be this and could be that and replacing devices until it goes away is another way to fixing.

Could be a battery, something on the data buss, keypad, expander, that has a loose connection or a faulty chip that is starting to go south.

Hope that helps a little.

ABLE1

[fdreano]

I'm going to have the motherboard replaced and demand to have the programming code for my own safekeeping and we'll go from there.
Another post on another board has the identical problem and it was diagnosed remotely as a keypad 'tamper' error.   I have three keypads but they are all identified as one (a bad installation 4 years back when I built the house).  I am unimpressed with this system and about a hair from yanking it all and finding something else.  NEVER had this with my old Br1nks setup.

[ABLE1]

IF (that is big IF) the keypads were not enrolled with the proper ID then all bets are off since there is way to know what the system may do.  Never experienced it myself since I always address the keypads.

The procedure at each keypad would be as follows.

Keypad #1
    * 9 4 <code> 1 * 1* <EXIT> <EXIT>
    * 8 <code> 0 # <EXIT> <EXIT>

Keypad #2
    * 9 4 <code> 2 * 1* <EXIT> <EXIT>
    * 8 <code> 0 # <EXIT> <EXIT>

Keypad #3
    * 9 4 <code> 3 * 1* <EXIT> <EXIT>
    * 8 <code> 0 # <EXIT> <EXIT>

That will address them 192  -  193  -  194 respectively.

I would do this first before changing out the board.

BTW if you are being monitoring by the company you may not get the installer code.  I would not give it up.  Liability issues..............

Pass the above to the installer and have him do it.  It does not matter which keypad model you have it needs to be done.

Good Luck

ABLE1

[fdreano]

Looks like it was the main motherboard...it is now swapped out and the problem is gone; but the system is NOT calling the monitoring company anymore.  The repair tech and monitoring company had an argument over the phone about the procedure (welcome to rural Florida) and so it didn't get done.  

I DO have the receiver number (account number) and the phone number and its SIA format.  Also have the program code now too.   Soooo how do I do this ?

I know how to get into program mode, select the control panel module and go to a location but have no clue what a 'segment' is.   For instance the Phone Number 1 location has 20 segments...is that one segment for each digit ?  or what ?   It talks about putting a "13" in a segment for a pause....so a segment holds multiple digits ??  I have the LED keypads so maybe a segment is a binary number holder ??

Confusing.

[ABLE1]

fdreano,

What your are asking is a bit unusual.  If you are programming the panel on your own you may be in violation of your monitoring agreement since it most likely states that you cannot work on or program the system.  As I said before liability issues.

You may want to contact your alarm company and or the monitoring company.  If they approve, get it in writing and they should be able to help you do the programming.  

Good Luck.

ABLE1

[fdreano]

I've spent a month trying to get my installer alarm company to come out to the house and gave up and called another firm.   They put in the new motherboard but the monitoring company (apparently aligned with the installer's company) wouldn't give me the information (phone number, account, etc.).   I called again 20 minutes later and another rep gave me the information without batting an eye.  VERY frustrating and inconsistent. 

I will read my monitoring agreement but last I checked we, as Americans, are supposed to have something called freedom of choice.   I'm a degreed Computer Scientist so I'll figure it out...thanks for you advice though.

Regards...

[ABLE1]

Yes, freedom of choice.......... as well as following the rules.

Again Good Luck.

ABLE1