Question:I just bought a house that has a brinks security alarm system dallas
installed. I don't know much about alarm systems, so I'm looking for
some help here. The previous owner lived here for 3 years and never
used the system (had it turned off). Apparently the person who owned
the house before the previous owner was the one with it installed.
While playing with the system the other night (thinking it was not
live or anything) I accidentally turned the thing on and all of a
sudden i have this siren and everything going. There was no monitoring
contract set up with brinks no harm done, and I called brinks and
they told me how to disable the system (power it down, disconnect it
from thephone line, etc..)
So my question is, I'd like to use this system if I can, but I do not
have the code. I do NOT want the monitoring service, I just want to
use the siren that goes off when someone trips the motion detectors.
Brinks tells me that if I get a monthly contract with them they'll
send out a tech to reset up the system, give me my own code, etc...
but thats the only way I could make use of the system.
Does anyone know how I can get into the system and set up my own code,
without having current system code?
Answer:Alarman is most likely correct. If you have Brinks rep come out and
you do not sign up for their monitoring, Brinks will, in most cases,
remove the system. In some cases, at least lately in the Dallas area,
Brinks does occasionally install the system for the building
contractor. In these situations, they do not use proprietary
equipment, although they do, like everyone else, use a lock out code.
Check with your realtor to ensure that the system is in fact not a
proprietary panel and ensure that you own the system, not Brinks.
Then, it's just a matter of getting the dealer code defaulted and the
system programmed as you want it. For that you will most likely have
to pay someone.
If the system is in fact a Brinks proprietary panel and the house was
advertised to you as having a security system, I would go back to the
realtor, seller and/or Title Company. A leased system that does not
belong to the seller should not be advertised as part of the home's
amenities, since ownership of the system does not transfer with title
to the house. If you were made aware that the system was leased from
Brinks, then you may be out of luck if you want a 'local only' alarm.
If you do want monitoring and Brinks owns the sysem, check with them
and try to negotiate a good rate over a short contract term.
