Envisalink DSC trouble alerts - AC power fail not messaging

[afmcg]

I have my contact set up to receive troubles, but when I kill AC power, I don't receive any messages. The envisalink web site shows trouble/ac power fail, and the status page on my LAN shows system trouble. My keypads also report the system trouble and AC power fail.

Is there a way to get the system to send me a message for AC power failure?

[GrandWizard]

You probably have a Honeywell panel and they add a random delay of up to 4 hours before they send their AC fail signal.

Also make sure *61 is enabled.

[afmcg]

It's a DSC 1864. If the trouble shows up on the LAN and Eyezon web, why no message? Does this work for anyone else?

[GrandWizard]

How long are you waiting?

There is a big difference between what appears on the keypad and what constitutes an "event" in the panel's eyes. What you see in the partition status on the portal is based on the fact the Envisalink is also a keypad. What you see in the Recent Events is based on the fact the Envisalink is also an external communicator.

The Envisalink is actually two products in one.

[afmcg]

How long are you suggesting that I need to wait? I left AC power disconnected for 5 minutes, with no alert message.

Thanks

[GrandWizard]

It depends on what is programmed into your panel. By default it is 30 minutes. Check section 377 in your programming worksheets.

[afmcg]

That did it, thanks for the help.

[ian98]

I am curious now as to this matter. I always wondered why I have never received an alert message in regards to power failure. I have multiple Vista 20P systems, and not one of the have ever reported (AC Loss). They all have backup power as in regards to the internet. So is it my understanding that Honeywell panels have an unchangeable delay of 30 minutes on (AC Loss)? Is there a work around for this?

[GrandWizard]

No, for Honeywell there is an unchangeable delay of up to 4 HOURS.

[Flyct]

As GrandWizard stated. UP TO 4 hours delay. It's designed so that short power outages don't flood Central stations with the power faults at the same time. The time delay is random.

You can always wire a simple AC relay to trip an unused zone when AC power is lost. Set that zone to type 8 (auxiliary) that way it won't set off siren but will set off keypad noise and send a text alert via Envisalink. If you are monitored let the alarm company know not to send police for that zone.