Home Technology DIY

I have a Honeywell Vista 20p alarm panel with the 4286 VISTA Interactive Phone Module. I would like to replace one of the standard locks on one of my entry doors with an electric lock that i can control remotely by telephone. Is this possible with this hardware? What addition equipment do I need?

With the hardware you have listed you would only need to add the 1361X10N Transformer/X10 Interface (if you dont already have it) and an X10 door lock or X10 door strike and you would be ready. You will need to set the address of the x10 lock and program the output in the panel. Call in to your panel and follow the prompts from the auto attendant to activate the output.

Thanks, I didnt think about an electric strike, thats seems simpler than an electric lock. Im gonna check that out. I already found an X10 Universal Module that I can use to activate the strike. I can hardly wait to get it all together. I have a dvr setup similar to the one you described in some other posts. I have the highest speed DSL package I could get and get pretty good upload speeds from home, so i get good video when I log into my DVR from my office. I am having some renovations done and once I finish this electric lock setup I will be able to unlock the doors for contractors and deliveries from my office, while watching in real time. Thanks again I will let you know how it goes.

Well I added the Honeywell ICM (Internet Connection Module) to my Vista 20p alarm system and I love it? With my internet control module in conjuction with my x10 door strikes (works like x10 door lock but the strike releases the door instead of the lock) and DVR i can take care of just about anything I need to do at home, right from my office PC. For instance I had to have my ac unit repaired, so instead of going home to let the AC technician in I had him call me when he arrived and I disarmed my alarm and opened the door remotely over the internet with the ICM. I also let him know I was watching my cameras . I didn't have time to watch the cameras the entire time he was doing the repairs, but it was all recorded on the DVR anyway. I asked him to call me when he was ready to leave and after I saw him shut the door I rearmed the system and DONE. I never left my desk and the house was nice and cool when I got home!

Awesome! Are you using IP cameras with the Internet Connection Module's built in IP camera interface? I have installed some ICM units, but I havnt installed any IP cameras with the ICM yet. Also, since you were talking about AC, do you have your thermostat connected to the ICM? The ICM has built in networking to control thermostats as well. I have set some thermostats up on Vista systems with ICM control. Its pretty simple.