Industrial/Commercial Quality Interior Alarm System

Note: as of 3/15/08 we have discontinued this product line.  We will leave access to this page for ***reference information only*** for a few months. 

We do have some product in inventory.  Call us and we can let you know what we have available 303-478-3501

We have a significant investment in our recreational vehicle.  A professional quality alarm system can protect that investment as well as provide for your personal safety.  This system can be used to protect the RV and occupants during travel periods and it can be used to protect the RV when it is in storage.

The systems and components that we sell are wireless (for ease of installation).  They are UL listed and meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Rule 72 Chapter2 as well as UL 217 requirements.  Please note that this is an industrial quality system as opposed to a "consumer" quality system that might be purchased at a chain type store.  Industrial level components cost between two and three times as much as consumer level components, but the value, protection, and reliability they provide is well worth the investment.

We proudly sell components manufactured by Linear LLC.  They were chosen based on their experience and reputation.  The following two paragraphs are from their web site:

Linear LLC offers a full spectrum of advanced alarm monitoring components, on a worldwide basis, for the residential and commercial security market. It has been designing and building for this market for over 42 years and is regarded as one of the founders and leaders of the contemporary security industry.

The company has a well-earned reputation in the radio frequency (RF) or “wireless” approach to alarm signal transmission, and is acknowledged as having the greatest concentration of RF engineering experience and talent in the security products field.

Design and selection of an Interior alarm for an recreational vehicle can be a bit "challenging".  As a starting point, I would suggest that you read an article I wrote for an RV related publication (click here).  In addition I am posting four links to the Linear web site:

• Basic information about Linear (click here)

• Supervised Wireless Security Consoles (the brains of the system).  We offer two different approach to consoles for the RV:

  • DVS-1200(click here)

  • Dual-824(click here)

   

• Product descriptions with links to technical information for various sensors (click here)

Note:  The system manuals can be downloaded from the Console links above.

We offer two different kits.  The only difference between the two kits is the console. 

• The DVS-1200 console is the easiest to install.  The console will be mounted in the interior of the RV and only needs two sets of wires connected to it; wires for the power supply and wires for the siren.

 

• The Dual-824 is a two part console.  The main part of the console will be mounted in the bay or basement of the RV.  The key pad should be mounted in the interior of the RV.  The wiring is a bit more complicated for this option since the keypad is hardwired to the control box via a relatively small six wire cable.  This option offers the option of hardwiring some sensors in addition to the wireless capability.  This makes it easy and inexpensive to install reed-type switches on the bay/basement doors. 

The basic system kits contains the following components (see price list at the bottom of this page for the kits and additional sensors):

• DVS-1200 or Dual-824 Console

• Two DXT-42 "keychain" two button transmitters to arm/disarm the system remotely

• DXS-54 Supervised wireless motion detector

• Two DXS-32 miniature supervised door/widow transmitters

• VB-2 two way voice module that annunciates the system status

• DS50 Siren

All of the wireless components in these systems, with the exception of the siren, are supervised.  This means that each sensor communicates with the control console several times a day to report its status.  The device will report its operating condition and battery status.  If any problems are detected, the console will report the device which has determined it has a problem and the type of problem detected.

The systems were selected for ease of installation and reliability.  The power supply to the console is normally 120 volts (which the console then transformes to 12 volts DC) and is backed up by a small 12 battery (about 6 hour operation capacity).  Because the system is based on 12 volts, it is possible to wire the system directly to one of the RV battery banks.  The "house" battery  bank would seem to be the best choice.  However, some of our customers have experienced a "hum" in the speaker of the console.  We believe that hum is a result of the some of the electronics in the inverter.  The other choice (for motorhomes) is to use the "start batteries".  This system should be free of "electronic noise".  Discharge of the system must be considered if the engine is not started for long periods of time.

Other than the power supply wiring, the only other wires are low voltage wires to the siren.  The wireless detectors do not need any wiring and can be located in any convenient location.  As noted above, the Dual-824 system will require a 6 wire cable to connect the control box with the keypad.

A brief description of the system components is given below.  More detailed information can be obtained from the links listed previously.

DVS-1200 Supervised wireless security console system.  This is the heart of the system.  Because it is a "professional" quality system, it incorporates advanced and sophisticated features and is extremely robust.  The system has the capability of being programmed for up to 12 transmitters.  The console receives communications from each supervised transmitter several times a day to assure that the total system is functioning properly.  It is UL listed.

Dual-824 console system.  This is a split console system where the main control box mountes in the bay/basement of the RV.  This unit has the capability of 24 channels which can be either wireless or wired.  All of the other features of the DVS-1200 system apply to the Dual-824 system.

DXT-54 Passive Infrared Motion Detector is a battery powered passive infrared motion detector with a built-in transmitter. This transmitter can be used in a variety of motion detection applications. When the passive infrared sensor detects motion in its field of view, the transmitter sends a digitally coded wireless signal to its companion receiver.

DXT-42 2-Button, 3-Channel Transmitter is a battery powered, portable, miniature transmitter. Each transmitter can be used in a limitless number of wireless remote control applications. Pressing a transmitter button sends a digitally coded wireless signal to its companion receiver. The transmitter buttons have a positive click feel.

DXS-72 Photoelectric Smoke Detector.  This unit is not included in the basic kit, but should be strongly considered as an option.  If it is included the system the system will meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Rule 72 Chapter 2 and UL 217 requirements.  It uses forward-scattering photoelectric-type technology and is  UL listed.  When smoke is detected, the alarm sounds a loud local alarm. Twenty seconds after the local alarm sounds, the built-in transmitter sends a digitally coded wireless signal to its companion receiver. The wireless signal will be repeated every 20 seconds as long as smoke is still present.

There are two types of smoke detectors:  Ionization and photoelectric. Ionization detectors are lower in cost and tend to give false alarms more often.  They detect flash fires slightly quicker than photoelectric.  They are the most common units in most applications.  Consumer smoke detectors found in chain stores are most often the ionization type.  Photoelectric detectors detect smoldering fires quicker than ionization types.  They are used in commercial applications and generally cost over $100.  It should be noted that some safety organizations recommend use of both ionization and photoelectric for maximum coverage.  The unit uses two 9V batteries which give over two years of life.  Since the unit is supervised, the console will detect and report when the batteries are in need of replacement. 

We offer the following thoughts for your consideration:

• A complete system that meets NFPA Rule 72 Chapter 2 (basic kit plus DXS-72 smoke detector) will often qualify for an insurance company discount when installed in a home.  We have checked with a few RV insurance companies and it appears that a 5%-10% reduction in policy cost is possible.

• The programming capabilities of the console can be used to facilitate switching of one or more dedicated interior/exterior light(s) via a system "dry relay" combined with a power relay.  With a push of one of the "keychain" buttons, the console triggers the system  relay to turn the light(s) on or off.

• The system can be used to protect the bays and the "toad" (or tow vehicle).  One customer is testing the concept using additional motion detectors.  This option takes advantage of the "home" mode which arms the perimeter sensors and ignores the "interior" sensors.

• The system has three emergency buttons (two on the key chain transmitters and one on the console) that will allow activation of the system if you feel threatened while parked in a "marginal" area.

We are very proud of the quality of this equipment.  All components are industrial quality and will yield maximum protection.  We will be glad to customize the basic package for unique application needs. Contact us at jim@rvsafetysystems.com  or call (Jim Shepherd 303-670-7239)

One final note.  If you visited this page before, you might remember that we carried carbon monoxide and propane detectors.  The products we chose were well recommended, but we did not feel comfortable with the supplier.  We are looking for better sources.

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