A new home I expect to move in to is equipped with a bottom-of-the-barrel Kidde 120VAC interconnected ionization smoke and smoke/CO system. I intend to get rid of this in favor of something better no matter what, but I also intend to install a Surety-powered alarm system.
I’ve specced a combination of Gentex S1209 and Gentex GN-503(FF) alarms as the likely candidates for various reasons. My plan so far is to have one GN-503FF which connects to the aux input of two PG9945 sensors.
Previous posters have asked about solutions like this before, but there’s at least two key differences with this setup from what others have asked about:
- The GN-503FF’s contacts (which can be either form A or form C) operate even when on battery backup per the Gentex data sheet, so AC power loss would not prevent signals from reaching the panel
- It appears the contacts could go directly to the PG9945’s inputs, and thus never have any high voltage connections of any sort (please correct me if I’m reading the output spec wrong)
- Perhaps most importantly, the PG9945 is specifically UL listed for residential fire applications per DSC
- The GN-503FF is designed, per Gentex, to “interface with a FACP”, so it also appears rated for this use
The GN503FF-to-contact-sensor method was actually recommended to me by a former fire alarm installer. I first considered using a listener like the Interlogix SLX-AD-T3; I like the simplicity of this option a lot, but it doesn’t listen for T4 for CO, and I’d really like to have both monitored. I also considered the 2gig FF345, which would listen for both T3 and T4, but that would require the 345-compatible IQP4 (much more expensive than Surety’s 319.5 bundle!) and is of somewhat unknown quality. Gentex stuff is commercial-grade (or at least installer-grade) and I expect it to be rock-solid, just as I expect pretty much any PowerG sensor like the PG9945 to be rock-solid. Going solely wireless PowerG smokes/COs may probably require more battery changes than I like, and in any circumstance doesn’t meet code on its own - I do not want twelve detectors where I could (and arguably should) have just six. A two-wire or four-wire system would be incredibly expensive and I do not feel comfortable DIYing one even with help.
My primary questions are:
- Will the IQ Panel 4 accept and correctly operate with a PG9945 as a smoke or CO zone?
- If so, is there any reason this wouldn’t qualify for fire monitoring (and the insurance certificate to go with it)?
- Am I missing anything here?
Thank you!
My self personally don’t see this being able to happen. But the guys can tell u yes or not I’d recommend just going with Powerg Wireless smokes with one goes all go feature and also do the PG co detector
Originally I thought it wasn’t an option, but yes, actually, the PG9945, when selecting one of the aux inputs, can be programmed as a smoke detector input, so that would be an option.
We would typically recommend other options like what you have outlined, either going with a Firefighter and AC interconnected smokes, or including PowerG wireless ones.
Firefighter units are a popular choice with good reason, as they are extremely cost effective to monitor your choice of interconnected smokes.
However, if you are definitely going with a solution that supports using an input on the PG9945, that should work.
Thanks Jason.
Firefighter units are a popular choice with good reason, as they are extremely cost effective to monitor your choice of interconnected smokes.
Like I said originally, I do quite like the simplicity of firefighter units, but it doesn’t seem like they’re a perfect fit here. Do you know of any 319.5 or PowerG options that do T3 and T4 listening, so I could have CO monitored, or would your sales team be able to cut me a deal on a 345-capable IQP4 bundle so I would be able to use the 2gig FF345 without adding about $200 to my cost? A separate wireless CO-only detector also isn’t appealing, since it would only sound T4 on itself and the panel, where the hardwire system will sound T3 or T4 throughout the house.
However, if you are definitely going with a solution that supports using an input on the PG9945, that should work.
As far as the detector, yes! The GN-503FF has two normally-open contacts, one for smoke, and one for CO. I understand that it would be on me to figure out whether I can directly wire those to the 2x PG9945 aux inputs, but the PG9945 installation manual is explicit that it supports NO contacts, and the GN-503FF manual clearly marks them on the wiring harness.
The PG9945 installation manual, under UL and ULC Residential Fire RF Transmitter Application > Configuration, references numeric codes to enter the config for the PG9945 itself. It looks like I’d need to set:
- Reed switch: N (off)
- External input: Y (on)
- Zone EOL: 02 Normally Open
Will I be able to set these config options from the IQP4? I’ve seen the sensor enrollment interface and I do see where it can be set to use the aux input, but I didn’t see, in that setup screen, the other options.
Will I be able to set these config options from the IQP4?
Yes, when programming the zone you have the option to select either Reed Switch, Normally Closed external input, or Normally Open external input.
When you select one of the external inputs, the sensor zone type can be changed away from door/window to a different type, including Smoke or CO.
or would your sales team be able to cut me a deal on a 345-capable IQP4 bundle so I would be able to use the 2gig FF345 without adding about $200 to my cost?
All pricing is as shown on our website, pricing is the same for all users. I am not sure where the $200 reference is coming from though.
The 345Mhz Panel is a bit more expensive as Qolsys lowers the cost of the standard 319.5 Mhz version supporting their IQ Sensors. But that difference in our store is $32.
Yes, when programming the zone you have the option to select either Reed Switch, Normally Closed external input, or Normally Open external input.
Great, very easy.
I am not sure where the $200 reference is coming from though.
It’s an overestimate. Forgive me, I’m just getting through today’s coffee. 
But comparing against the Essential Equipment bundle with two 319.5 door sensors, the 345 version would be $368 + $33 (PowerG door - I don’t necessarily want to get deep into 345) + $33 = $434 for the panel and two door sensors, vs. $360 for the EE bundle, $74 difference, and I’d lose the ability to use any Qolsys or Interlogix sensors in the future.
The cost difference between 2x PG9945 and 1x FF345 looks like about $9-18 (in favor of the FF345) at current pricing, and I would save a bit more by being able to go for the GN-503 instead of the GN-503FF. Call that about $40-50 overall, net, for the convenience of less wiring, one less battery to change every few years, and slightly quicker setup. Then it’s just a question of quality and reliability of the two solutions.
Plenty to think about. Thanks again!