I’ve been reading the forum trying to figure out the best way to take advantage of the DSC impassa system and sensors that are already in my home. Before I go buy all these things, I was wondering if I could find some confirmation that I’m going the right direction.
To get my existing sensors to work, I will need to get a new panel. I’m looking at the Honeywell lyric security panel for this. Then, to get the sensors to work with that panel, I’ll need a wireless translator. I’m looking at the resolution DSC to Honeywell translator for that.
It’s the next portion that I’m feeling a little confused by. Do I need an envisalink and pi to setup an alarmserver or is there an easier alternative?
Sorry, I’m confused. This forum is for people who are using the Samsung smartthings home automation platform. ( it’s a very active forum, so it tends to come up near the top of Google searches for general home automation topics, but it is specific to the Samsung platform and conversations take place in that context.)
So the first thing we need to ask you is which version of the Samsung smartthings hub you are using, as the features do vary somewhat. And of course which region you are in.
Then we need to ask what kind of integration you are expecting to get with SmartThings, as that will also affect the project design.
Oh sorry I didn’t make that clear. I’m using the v2 smart things hub and I’m in the Mid-Atlantic region.
I’m mostly looking to use the sensors to trigger basic functions like turn porch lights on if we open the front door after 8pm. I know it wouldn’t be an ideal security system, but I would like to use them to self monitor and get notifications if a door or window are opened while we’re out, too.
I think most people are now at least considering a new option developed by one of the community members here specifically to let you use existing wired sensors with SmartThings. I haven’t used it myself, but people seem to like it. It’s called Konnected.
And here is the original author’s thread where you can ask any questions and see what other community members have to say about it.
I have DSC PC1616 installed and added Envisalink to it. Then installed modified DSC server on my Synology NAS in a docker container and connected it to SmartThings. Works like a charm.
Yea, I saw that! I wish it would work for me, but that is for wired systems and the impassa is a self-contained unit. Everything I’ve found suggests you have to switch the control panel. I’m just not sure if what I have selected as the replacement is best and if what I’ve identified as the next steps are entirely correct.
No, but it wasn’t too hard. DSC server is well documented - gotta follow its instructions carefully and configure it properly. What I didn’t want is to pollute Synology environment with python, on top of already installed java, nodejs etc (which I containerized and got rid of eventually). So I basically got a python docker container and moved DSC server in there - that’s the only difference from the origianl installation.
@Joavi I just moved and my new place has a DSC Impassa-controlled system as well. I’d like to do exactly what you were asking about and hook up the sensors to my smart things hub. Did you figure it out? If so, I’d love to hear about what you ended up with.
As far as I can see the DSC Impassa panel is not supported by Envisalink or AlarmDecoder. Since Konnected only supports wired sensors that also will not work.
On the DSC front only Power Series panels are supported with Impassa, Iotega and Neo not being supported.
I have been considering getting a DSC Power Series here in the UK (and I still am) even though it is considered no longer up to modern security standards, this is why DSC have the newer Neo range. I also had been considering the Envisalink/AlarmServer route. However The AlarmDecoder setup for the same panel allows emulating a sensor on to the DSC panel, this in theory might allow using say a Nest Protect as a smoke sensor with any alarms from that showing up on the DSC panel. I would rather use Nest as all the proprietary alarm system smoke sensors are hideously ugly and not as advanced.
I just wanted to bump this old thread. I also have a DSC Impassa. The wireless devices are rock solid and don’t eat batteries, so it would be awesome to integrate it into ST. Has anyone had any luck doing that?
Hi, I’m also trying to bump this old thread. I’m facing the exact same situation and I was just wondering if anyone came up with a solution. Thanks! @Luppercut Any luck?
@Buildmore
It may not apply to you but @Luppercut was using wireless sensors with his DSC Impassa. The Konnected products only work with wired sensors.
The fact that Konnected only works with wired sensors is a disappointment as it also makes it unsuited for my own needs but it is understandable. By only working with wired sensors it can directly read the electrical state i.e. on or off of the sensor and does not need to understand any proprietary signals wireless sensors or the panel and keypad itself might use.
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