TL;DR How do I make the auxiliary key open the garage door with the GDR1?
I’m switching from a 2GIG GC2 panel to an IQ Panel 2+. I’ve configured all of my 345MHz door, window, and smoke sensors. Now I’m configuring my 2GIG keyfobs (2GIG-KEY2-345). I was able to automatically add them to the panel. They work to arm and disarm the panel.
With my 2GIG panel, I used the key fob auxiliary key (the * key) to not interact with the alarm system, but to instead control my garage door opener using the 2GIG-GDR1. When I press the auxiliary key on my key fob, it sends the police panic. How do I configure the sensor (key fob settings) to not trigger the police panic?
Hmm, strange, that is not how the aux key works on a 2GIG Panel. I’ll check with Qolsys to see if there is a way to alter that. On 2GIG the aux key does not have an alarm function. Pressing two keys together causes an alarm.
The Aux key is not programmed to the GDR1 through the panel however. The key is simply paired to the GDR1 via the button on the side.
You would definitely want to remove the alarm function from it of course. I’ll follow up here with a reply from Qolsys soon!
For reference here is my 2GIG configuration. emergency key (panic) is holding the top two 2 buttons on the 2GIG-KEY2. key 4 output, the auxiliary button on the keyfob is disabled. As you pointed out, I’ve paired the auxiliary button with my GDR1.
Well that’s normal for 345mhz keyfobs on the IQ Panel 2+ according to Qolsys. The Aux button is used to activate panic alarms. I don’t believe you can disable that unfortunately.
The GDR1 is discontinued and I don’t think Qolsys considered its use. It is the only thing the 4th button is used for other than activating the Open Collector outputs.
@jwcsurety Thanks for checking with Qolsys. I’m disappointed. We use that button quite a bit with the garage door. I wonder how many panic alarms will happen before my family remembers that it’s not the garage door. Hopefully none, but it could be a costly police visit if they forget.
I also preferred the old method where you had to actively press two buttons. It made it harder to accidentally set it off.
Yeah, I understand, those were my concerns I sent to Qolsys when I brought it up to them. Not sure why that was changed, other than I guess simplifying the fob for users.
We’ve made a request regarding it. Hopefully they consider making a change, but unfortunately the amount of people using the GDR1 still may be too small.
You could still use the GDR1 if the keyfob is just not programmed into the panel, but obviously that removes arm/disarm functionality.
@jwcsurety Is there a way that I can disable the Panic Alarm altogether? I could leave it off for a month or so to make sure that my family un-learns that button.
Not only would it be distressing to be home when someone sets that off, but I pay the local police department for false alarms, even more if it was a false panic alarm. Presumably because they dispatch officers faster if it’s a panic than it it’s someone stealing my stuff.
Does the 2.5.3 firmware mean that I can use my 2Gig key fobs the way I used to?
Here’s the line from the release notes that I’m curious about:
Added support for 3 new Sensor Groups giving additional flexibility to the way Keypads, Keyfobs and Panic Buttons can be programmed: (3) Mobile Silent, (5) Fixed Silent Auxiliary, (7) Mobile Silent Auxiliary
I’m wondering if group 7 would disable the panic button. So I could use the auxiliary key again.
Auxiliary alarms would be treated as Medical alerts. This wouldn’t disable the panic, just change the type reported to the monitoring station. There is no way to fully disable the emergency key functions.
