DSC 1832 - Panels not Showing Messages

Support
1

Hi everyone,

I have a DSC PowerSeries PC1832 panel running firmware v4.2 and I’m hoping someone can help me get my second keypad working properly before I install my new SEM300-PS-VZ communicator to move service to Surety

My setup:

  • Panel: DSC PC1832 v4.2

  • Downstairs keypad: RFK5501-433NA v5.05 (working fine, displays time, but no other messages when go into programming mode to confirm firmware)

  • Upstairs keypad: PK5501 v1.20 (LCD is lit up but nothing on screen - clock, zones, etc.)

What I’ve already checked:

  • All 4 wires are firmly connected on the upstairs keypad

  • LCD backlight works and dims when pressing * and #

  • No physical DIP switches or jumper pins found on the PK5501 board

  • Contrast adjustment (* and # held together) dims screen but no text appears

My theory:
I believe both keypads may be set to the same address causing the upstairs one not to display. Since there are no physical jumpers on the PK5501 v1.20, I believe the address needs to be set through software programming.

My questions:

  1. How do I set the upstairs PK5501 to address 2 on firmware v4.2?

  2. Is there anything else that could cause the LCD to dim but show no messages?

Thanks in advance for any help!

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4

I followed the steps below to assign keypad two (PK5501):slight_smile:

Press * then 8

  1. Enter installer code:
  2. Press 0 0 0 — enters keypad programming
  3. Press 0 — selects the partition/slot assignment subsection
  4. Press 1 2 — assigns partition 1, slot 2
  5. Press # then # again to exit fully

AFter I did that, I power cycled the panel and same thing. No messages on upstairs LCD screen.

I will try plugging the panel directly into the board (maybe the green or yellow wire is bad in the wall?) Is there anything else this could be configuration wise, or is this just a faulty panel?

5

The RFK/PK5501 keypads are both LCD displays and not Full message display keypads. The full message display keypads are models RFK5500 and PK5500.

Are you able to see any number turn on the screen if you open the front door?

If you arm the system, do you see anything change on the display?

These keypads can be set into their own address but there wouldn’t be any change on the display. The steps you followed are correct. It looks like one keypad should be assigned 11 and the second keypad should be assigned 12.

The SEM300 does not need much programming. The most important sections are changed by the SEM when syncing to the panel.

6

Thanks Vidail - on the PK5501 I don’t see anything on the screen - clock, zones, responses when I go into programming. It beeps and the armed, disarmed and trouble lights work.

When I open a door, nothing shows up on the panel. The green light goes showing system is not ready.

When I arm the system, nothing shows up on the display of the PK5501.