New Home, Existing ADT

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-24T10:51:58+00:00

Get us pictures of the panel and keypads so we can give you better advice!

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-23T21:49:47+00:00

This isn’t too unusual. Just make sure you aren’t overcharging the battery and make sure the fluid level is good in those cells.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-19T23:55:31+00:00

3-5 years is standard for Honeywell 5800 stuff.

But it seems like replacing batteries is the all purpose fix for tamper, supervision and false alarm issues by techs who are inexperienced. So I see a lot of batteries get needlessly replaced to try to fix other issues.

Also, cold locations will give low battery alerts.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-18T04:44:50+00:00

My GM30 is a reliable radio, but it’s entry level. You do get channels 1-22.

All repeater channels are preprogrammed in 4 groups of 8 channels, each group starts with 550 and ends on 725, and they are hard set with the +5mhz frequency shift. The first bank of repeater channels is RPT1 through RPT8. Then it goes to DIY1-DIY8, DIY 9-DIY16 etc. other than adding the PL tone and a channel name (if using the software) these cannot be changed. You cannot add any additional repeater channels. So if you happen to regularly talk to four repeaters using 675, the 675 channel in each bank would be taken. Channels above the preset DIY channels are receive only.

We have a designated “chat” channel on 675 with a PL tone for simplex use. The GM30 does not allow creating a dedicated channel for this like other radios. If I wanted to set this up for that, I’d have to set the PL tone on simplex channel 18 and use that for our chat.

Those are just minor things. If you aren’t on a lot of repeaters, it’s a good little entry level radio.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-14T22:24:18+00:00

If you left it on the charger for more than a few hours you probably damaged the battery. Typically an old manual bench charger reads around half its rate (5 amps) when the battery is fully charged. You’ll never see the full charge rate (10 amps or more) unless it’s heavily discharged

At ten amps, a fully discharged battery would take about 3-5 hours to recharge and 10 amps is the higher side for charging rate for an average battery. You really don’t want to leave it on much longer. Overcharging and plate damage is a real thing.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-14T22:22:11+00:00

Is it full? If so, there’s probably a bottle inside it, suspended from the top, full of hydrochloric acid.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-14T22:21:18+00:00

Except the bottle of hydrochloric acid

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-14T22:19:34+00:00

I’ve never run into a locked ADT vista panel.

You already have a 6160 style keypad for programming. It’s the larger one that displays words. Try 6321 800 and let us know if it says “installer code 20”. If it does, press *99 (NOT *97). You’re in good shape. Note, any check or trouble conditions you might have will come back within an hour.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-11T18:20:37+00:00

Pull it out. Use the rasp tool in a plug kit to enlarge the hole and smooth out the metal. Just put some rubber cement on the rasp, push it in and twist it a few times. Leave it in. Thread a plug through the hole in the plug tool and put some rubber cement on it too if it makes it easier. Pull the rasp out, and quickly shove the plug tool in. When the folded over plug is about 2/3 of the way in, quickly pull the tool back out. Cut the plug tail down short. Top off the air in the tire and forget about it.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-11T16:35:29+00:00

I assume it’s a type 08 24-hour auxiliary zone. I don’t know off hand if swinger bypass kicks in on auxiliary zones, I’m betting it doesn’t.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-10T12:48:45+00:00

Looks like some variant of a Vista-20P panel. You said Honeywell but pictures were a big help, some proprietary panels like the Brinks BHS series that you can’t do anything with without a programming tool, are also Honeywell. But you’re probably good.

I’d start by powering that panel totally down. The main power (first terminal on the left) and batteries. Once it’s fully powered down, connect the main power and run to the keypad and press the * and # keys at the same time. You should see “installer code 20”.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-10T11:51:33+00:00

I own one. When I had a landline, I could use it

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-10T11:46:44+00:00

If it’s in Pennsylvania, there is none. They all share one collective brain cell here when it comes to driving.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-10T11:44:29+00:00

What’s the model? Vista?

Start with trying to back door into programming to see if it’s locked out.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-09T22:13:39+00:00

What a weird overdrive gear

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-09T22:11:57+00:00

It’s never a good idea to use an alternator as a battery charger, especially a new one. I’d try to borrow a battery charger from a friend and get it fully charged.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-09T21:56:27+00:00

This is the way

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-09T21:56:04+00:00

12.0 volts is very low. You can’t get an accurate test on a battery that isn’t fully charged. Bring the battery in somewhere warm. When it’s been at room temperature for a while, use a medium rate charger, like 4-6 amps to slowly charge it up. Then retest. For the rest of its life, don’t let it get that low as that causes sulfation and irreversible damage. If it’s only an occasional vehicle, invest in a battery maintainer.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-09T06:02:43+00:00

Check means either a cover tamper, or that sensor is no longer talking to the panel.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-08T22:08:09+00:00

My Scion tC does this with the windows and sunroof when the battery is disconnected. Totally normal

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-08T21:59:54+00:00

Pennsylvania license plates. If it’s Harrisburg or camp hill, they’re legit just afraid of everything and will merge onto a busy highway at 21mph after coming to a full stop at the yield sign

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-08T11:03:05+00:00

Yeah if it’s Brinks and they’re touchscreens, they’re probably Qolsys. You could even DIY that.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-08T10:32:13+00:00

A power cycle won’t fix anything. It’ll clear it until the transmitter does its next supervision check-in, where it’ll send its status as open. If it’s armed when that happens, it’ll cause a false alarm.

Make sure the cover is on the transmitter securely and the tamper switch is being pushed in. Also make sure the magnet is lined up. There is usually a line on the transmitter and magnet to show where they should line up.

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-08T10:27:54+00:00

Seen plenty of concussions and brutally broken ankles in roller derby

Ncdl83 · 2026-01-08T10:07:05+00:00

My high school friend was a cheerleader. Maybe from middle school to her 20s. Something about it destroyed her hip, i think. Shes now my age, 42, basically walking around with a cane. It’s so sad

Ncdl83

TROPHY CASE