That YouTube Video’s Description states,“Qolsys has a list of compatible RF sensors that can be used with each version of its panels. Be sure to refer to this list before attempting to use a sensor with the panel. Any bi-directional wireless Honeywell or 2GIG sensors are not compatible, nor are any encrypted sensors.”
I looked up my Qolsys IQ 4 Version and it is: IQP4003
On my Qolsys IQ 4 Control Panel, I found the Daughter Card Test screen. My IQ 4 has the SRF-345 Option, so I ran the test and the Result was “Pass”.
Before I purchase a Honeywell 5870API Asset Protection Sensor, I need to make sure it will work with my Qolsys IQ 4 Control Panel, so does someone know if the 2 Devices are compatible?
If not, are there any other forums, or other places I might try to get an answer to this?
I left a voicemail with Qolsys and I’m waiting on a reply. Resideo wouldn’t give me any information since I’m not a Pro Installer with a company, so that’s frustrating.
Surely somebody has tested these 2 Devices for compatibility, but I haven’t found anything definitive yet.
That 5870API appears to be a standard 5800 series sensor based on its documentation. It is not encrypted and only transmits.
I do not have experience using that particular sensor on the IQ Panel, so I cannot state with 100% certainty how it would function, but it is likely to work without issue. Its high vs standard sensitivity mode is simply chosen based on the loop selected in sensor programming.
The Honeywell 5870API Asset Protection Sensor is not listed in the Compatibility List here:
That list of sensors are confirmed as tested and compatible by Qolsys. It does not imply that all 345 sensors not found on the list are incompatible. They are more likely just untested by the manufacturer. 5800 series sensors are expected to work in general.
For a specialty sensor like this it is worthwhile to give it a try. Check the return policy of the seller of the Honeywell sensor, but again it is likely to work fine without issue.
I can’t vouch for any answers you would find in other sites, but reddit is a good option if you are trying to cast a line and find someone who has used this particular combination of sensors and panel.
I would like to test this sensor myself, but it looks like our distributor does not have this model available. If we are able to confirm it I’ll reply here.
Yeah I’ve reached out, but I got a similar response to my original reply above. Their team can only confirm 100% the devices tested and on the list. Most standard 345 sensors should work.
The Honeywell/Resideo 5870API Asset Protection Sensor does work with my Qolsys IQ 4 Panel. I’m trying to find the best place to mount it on a safe.
I tested the Sensor inside the safe, and the signal was in the red, so it seems like that’s not going to work.
Since it looks like I’ll have to mount the Sensor on the outside of the safe, where is the best place to mount it?
The Documentation looks like it’s displaying it on the safe’s door, going by the illustration, but somebody made the point that if it’s visible, it might be more likely to be defeated by an RF Interference Transmitter. The Documentation also says the Sensor should be mounted in an inconspicuous area, and that it’s not intended for use on swinging doors, although I’m thinking in this instance it would be different, since it’s a safe door that’s locked.
I think the other option in this case would be mounting the Sensor on the back of the safe, provided the Transmission Range would still be good enough. Would the back of the safe be the best place for mounting a Honeywell/Resideo 5870API Asset Protection Sensor?
And would mounting the Sensor on the back of the safe be good enough to trigger an alert in the event of an attempted theft/burglary?
Also, out of the 3 Loop Modes, I think I’d need to choose either “High Trigger Fast Security (after 1-3 Seconds) Mode: Loop 1”, or “Standard Security (after 5-8 Seconds) Mode: Loop 2”.
For a safe, would “High Trigger Fast Security (after 1-3 Seconds) Mode: Loop 1” be the best choice?
The 5870API is a vibration sensor to be able to report when someone is attempting to tamper with or steal an asset it is attached to. It is not a door contact. Some safes have door contacts/position sensors built in. They might have a wire harness where you can use a wireless sensor with an input to monitor the door. Not all do though.
The 5870API would be used in this circumstance to tell when someone is trying to steal/move/potentially drill through or smash the safe.
The manual instructs to put it in an inconspicuous place. This means to install it out of view. The back is probably ideal but it depends on your setup. The sensor’s range may be limited due to mounting it to a metal surface. There can be some trial and error with this. The manual suggests mounting with masking tape temporarily to test and verify it can signal the panel.
From the manual, Loop 1 should only be used for assets which are not subject to vibration from other sources. If it is in a stable location and never subject to any expected vibration, which I would expect of most safes, Loop 1 is fine. If you see false triggers when using loop 1, switch to loop 2.
I think this would depend on where the receiver (control panel) is relative to the back of the safe.
If the receiver is in front of the safe and you put the transmitter (sensor) on the back of the safe then the big metal safe will block a lot of the signal. It would block all of the signal on the direct line from the transmitter to the receiver. Some signal would probably get there by reflecting off walls but it could a stretch.
If the receiver is behind the safe and there is a direct line of sight from the transmitter to the receiver then it might work fine. Just try it and find out.
How is this setup going? I think that’s a really cool sensor and am glad to hear you’re using it!
I can confirm it works if the IQ 4 Panel has the SRF-345 Daughter Card.
Even apart from a safe, the Asset Protection Sensor seems to have less range than the Honeywell Motion Detectors for example, but I haven’t done a shootout between them in the exact same situations.
When running the Sensor Tests, I’ve noticed that this Sensor seems to send signals to the IQ 4 Panel less frequently than the Honeywell Motion Detectors too.
If there is a “loss of signaling issue” with the Asset Protection Sensor, do you know if I’ll be alerted in some way by Alarm.com?
If transmission range is a problem there are 345 MHz repeaters you can get and place near the safe to repeat the signal with more power.
That’s a feature to conserve battery life. From the 5870API manual:
5800 series sensors transmit a supervision signal every 70-90 minutes. Your IQ Panel should detect a loss of supervision and report to Alarm.com when it hasn’t received a supervision signal from the sensor for the amount of time you have your panel programmed for. See “Loss of Supervisory Signals for Emergency Sensors” in the IQ Panel 4 manual:
Thanks Ryan, I read about the Repeaters, but hopefully I won’t need one. The Sensor is really not that far from the IQ 4 Panel, but I’ll just have to see how things go over time.
I’ll check the Supervisory Signal Loss Alert Time Length in the IQ 4 Panel’s Settings. If there is a Signal Loss Alert to the Alarm.com App, would that Alert appear at the top, above “Highlights”?
It would be a notification that is enabled by default. You choose how you receive notifications but we recommend push notifications to your phone. Here is a screenshot from the Alarm.com website showing where they’re set up.
