testing the 1975 burglar alarm system at my grandmothers house!

[@MIW_Renegade]

I watched ExitSign250's video about the vintage Dictograph system and now i keep seeing these old rare vintage alarm systems, i love it

[@tabbycats8229]

I saw that too! Expect a lot more videos on this system going over this weekend to work on it some more!

[@MIW_Renegade]

@@tabbycats8229 i look forward to that

[@suezq74]

@@tabbycats8229 i saw it too!

[@ElectronicsFansSwitchesandmore]

Same!

[@BenH-y5d]

Same

[@BoeingBonkers737]

I was absolutely mad on burglar alarm systems when I was young. I cant count how many stand alone and wired systems I bought and hooked up in my room. There are holes from wire clips, magnetic contacts, control panels and PIRs over my childhood room. I was one weird kid.

[@tabbycats8229]

haha! A LOT more common than you think! you ought to see my place! Thanks for the view!

[@dankoeberl264]

IM THE SAME WAY. Since I was like 7 (18 now) I always loved alarm systems and played around with ones I was given. Heck I just bought a bunch of old ADT equipment on EBay lol!

[@justmemrb]

I did the same thing. Radio Shack was my friend.

[@siphonralarms9411]

That is an insanely rare alarm system right there, thanks for showing this piece of vintage technology! Hopefully you can get the rest of it working, it would be awesome to see it back in normal condition. That siren also sounds really cool! If you ever do another video on this system, maybe you could show the actual siren itself? Once again, thanks for showing such a rare system!

[@tabbycats8229]

Of course! And yes I can probably get into the attic next weekend when we start doing some work on the house and try to get a few shots of it. I'll also try to do some videos on how we're trying to fix it!

[@Alwaysdoinit112]

Looks like i'm not the only FA enthusiast here

[@alarmsnstuff4351]

Very neat alarm. Looks more recent I would've thought early 1980s.

[@carlomicillo4221]

1980s was a keypad

[@ronaldmackall1621]

I'm suprised that system doesn't have a bell box appliance. When i was a child (in the 70s), my family lived in a house that had a very similar alarm system installed. It didn't have a siren, but it did have an incredibly loud bell box on the side of the house. When it went off, it sounded like someone was robbing a bank😂

[@tabbycats8229]

To be honest I'm surprised too! It does actually have a Buzzer that goes along beside the siren. We haven't figured out what it's for yet but we're thinking either the smoke detection part of the system or the prewarn for the entry delay. Either way gonna try to find out this weekend!

[@1993MAZDAMIATA]

This kinda stuff always interested me. I'm currently looking for houses and I love seeing the old security stuff in them because they are mostly from the 80s

[@tabbycats8229]

yes! This is certainly a unique system! Thanks for the view and best of luck on your house hunt!

[@battytec]

This is very cool indeed! If you look inside the panel, there's a little switch that says above it: zone 1&2 on, zone 1 off, zone 2 off - and it's currently set to zone 2 off. I'd imagine zone 2 would be the photoelectric beams, so it's likely that if you set that switch to zone 1&2, the photoelectric beams would work. Shame about the fact that it instantly goes off :(

[@tabbycats8229]

Hi! We actually tried that switch and they did not work but thank you for the idea! I plan on possibly finding some beams that would work with the system. We were able to get the smoke detector to alarm which was kind ot cool. I plan in posting an update soon! Thanks for the views!

[@ve4edj]

​@@tabbycats8229I've seen similar systems in the past and what youre calling a beam sensor was actually an ultrasonic glass break sensor, definitely pop the cover off and take a look

[@Somethin5041]

I thought a 1975 burglar alarm would be like Home Alone stuff

[@lukew7901]

Haha, with a kid who sets up booby traps

[@tabbycats8229]

lol this was really high tech for then

[@tabbycats8229]

it was a good movie though lol

[@KaiBannon]

These are super rare systems to find! My grandparents house which was built in 1988 has a sinilar style but everything is controlled by the keypads but also has a few sirens and System Sensor smoke/heat detectors with Edwards heat detectors on my system.

[@jmd1743]

Very cool. Thank you for documenting this technology of a bygone era.

[@MysticRiver123]

Fascinating system. I love old electronsics of all kinds. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@tabbycats8229]

Of course!!!! Thank you for viewing!

[@CiscoWes]

Thanks for the video! I used to install Brinks home security systems almost 20 years ago. Fun times! I really enjoyed installing them. Every house was different and had its own challenges. The more difficult installs were older homes - the wood was like concrete! You could easily burn up drill bits drilling into the door frames and such. I avoided using wireless contacts unless I absolutely had to. Wired systems were more reliable and you didn’t have to worry about changing out batteries in the sensors or false alarms. I’d like a video that looks more closely at the panel in the closet if possible. Thanks!

[@tabbycats8229]

Absolutely! I am going over this weekend to work on it some more and will try to get a good in depth video! Stay tuned!

[@robertmonroe5606]

Ahh yes, gool ole days. FBI. I installed a few in 76-78. Dual siren speakers (1 outside in a box, 1 inside - usually inside cold air return; both driven by a siren driver board inside panel). Medico monentary keylock, keyplate mounted outside, same keyplate in master bedroom... many times just used a n.o. momentary push button for arming/disarming from bedside. Looks like a simulated electric receptacle type eye beam in the main hallway, probably a reflector mounted on opposite wall for interior coverage. The Dictographs had similar arm/disarm feature using inherent flip-flop relay, to allow for multiple momentary arm/disarm stations in parallel. This FBI control system is probably still operative with some troubleshooting. Arming relays, sirens, associated wiring seems operative. Take your time, and hopefully restore the system by fixing the open(s) in the zone loop(s). You can jump out the hallway eye (receptacle), or just replace with an in-wall pir (passive infared detector) for $40. Good luck!

[@radon_officially]

Oh My God! I saw the same Key activated Keypads at my Local Vons, also hooked up to a honeywell Wave 2!!!

[@blackmaxima]

Amazing those roller switches still work at all.

[@tabbycats8229]

it really is!

[@lelandclayton5462]

Few months ago I removed a system like this and put in a Vista 20p. Kept the key switches and the door switches. Everything else got replaced with wireless contacts.

[@John_Locke_108]

Grocery store I used to work for, 25 years ago, had the same type of security system. Just turn the key to activate the alarm and lock the door behind you.

[@kbhasi]

KZbin just recommended me this video, and it reminded me of Sim Lim Tower in Singapore as, the last time I visited it, it had a vintage fire alarm system that I believe was installed during construction, and it was a manual or analogue system with lots of knobs and buttons, compared to the digital systems I was accustomed to seeing, so I took as much photos as I could and I think those photos are somewhere on my NAS. Besides that, I remember seeing a vintage Philips surveillance camera in one of the lift lobbies (edit: at the nearby Sim Lim Square, not Tower), which was somehow still powered on (it had a power indicator) but I didn't think the camera was connected to any video input.

[@tabbycats8229]

Nice! I love those old cameras! Some of the wiring and stuff we've found in the house leads me to think there may have been cameras too but not sure, lots of capped plug Ins and stuff

[@jonzz100]

Just came across this,really fascinating video on vintage technology, thanks! I wondered: do the windows have contacts on also? Clever idea having the beam as internal detection, in case an intruder got past the contact system. Very impressive and informative vid, any more on this wd be interesting

[@tabbycats8229]

Thanks for the view and compliments! As far as we can tell no the windows don't but the beams shoot halfway through the main section of the house where the windows are low. All the other windows are super high up. All the exterior doors have sensors including the attic believe it or not! I'm going over this weekend so possibly more videos very soon!

[@blackmaxima]

You can modernize the panel with a normal Vista-20P and still have the keyswitch arming functionality. Make sure that it’s not a 6 volt panel if you’re replacing that detector. A lot of those old key-operated Ademco and similar Dictograph panels were 6 volt panels. Not sure about FBI.

[@tabbycats8229]

was thinking of a 20p or maybe a proa7 but will def look into the 20p :) it may be a little bit before I can work on this panel again as we had some unexpected life stuff happen but hopefully will get back over there. grandmas ok fyi just some other stuff :)

[@HelloKittyFanMan]

Haha, "each kitchen"! 😅 Yeah, but I have been in friends' houses that did and do have 2 kitchens! I love that kind of house though it's a very uncommon design!

[@tabbycats8229]

LOL! I was in the kitchen and that's what my brain went too lol! It does have 2 living rooms, a front room and back room. I love the 70s styles too!

[@EmergencyGuy]

Those photoelectric beams you think do nothing are actually part of the security system. They’re vibration sensors.

[@monkeyman1282]

Cool! Interesting that they put the siren in the attic, but it seems like that was the norm back then.

[@robertmiranda2444]

This is a very interesting system, i would like to see it after restoration.

[@Lachlant1984]

I'd expect a system from the 70s to use electric bells or mechanical buzzers instead of an electronic siren. I suppose the siren could have been upgraded.

[@tabbycats8229]

not sure to be honest! Makes one wonder! There IS a buzzer beside the siren but we have not figured that out yet. Thinking it's either for the entry delay prewarn or the smoke alarm, or the original siren maybe!

[@Lachlant1984]

@@tabbycats8229 Hmm,, OK.

[@danrichards496]

When I was a kid in the mid 80’s I seen one go off in this big old house. It sounded like school bells and was so loud it hurt my ears and all these bright lights came on inside the house and all around the outside of the house. There was a trip wire or something running along the top of the fence and maybe an animal crawling over it set it off.

[@tabbycats8229]

Cool! Yeah this system doesn't have lights or outside devices that we've found but that sounds interesting!

[@tothemaxx1991]

Perimeter intruder alert! Looking into setting up something similar when I build my house, I'm really interested in vintage alarm and electronics systems.

[@ChesterWolf]

My old house had one of these when I lived in Europe unfortunately the power was disconnected to the Box so I was never able to see it in action and obviously the batteries have gone flat years ago.

[@tabbycats8229]

oh cool! stay tuned to see more of this system eventually. :)

[@shockingguy]

I remember working on these suckers, ha ha ha, I still have some of those key switches

[@tabbycats8229]

They definitely are very complex for the time they were installed! That's why i shut the power off before touching anything on it lol!

[@craigl765]

I believe the blue boxes were older, so you had the newer model in the tan box. I worked on these systems in the 80s. Bulletproof control panels.

[@tabbycats8229]

system was 1975 according to the sticker on it, house was built in 57 we found an older blue box, believe the house had a smaller system, just wires that diverted to the new panel. that or a dialer we arent sure what it was for. If it was an older system, it was before they added on the big room, which would make sense because the same year on the tan box is the same year they added on. Definitley think there was a smaller system before.

[@Alwaysdoinit112]

I expected to hear an old AC buzzer

[@tabbycats8229]

haha! Well the system has a buzzer hooked to the siren, I am assuming for the smoke detector and prewarn, possibly, can't confirm it use but as of right now it dosen't work, but we are still working on it!

[@SodiumInduction-hv]

Wow!! Nice video

[@tabbycats8229]

thanks!!!

[@johnwiiu7005]

Back in the soviet union the "alarm" my grandfather used was a bare live wire across the doors and windows. Anyone getting in in the night would not see it and potentially get a deadly electric shock 😀

[@tabbycats8229]

wow! That is actually really genius for those times lol

[@Veso266]

Now u have to install another system to protect this one cuz it would be ashame for this one to be destroyed by a burglar

[@tabbycats8229]

I know right?! It's such a cool system I'd be devastated if something happened to it! Fortunately my grandma does have another basic alarm system and cameras!

[@darraghgregory1269]

Omg this is unbelievable 50 years old next year

[@tabbycats8229]

Crazy right?! Thanks for the view!

[@darraghgregory1269]

@tabbycats8229 no problem 😊

[@evanlee93]

I didn't know these alarms even existed in homes back then

[@tabbycats8229]

It was VERY high tech for that time!

[@thecomputergeek101old]

Will there be an update to this, like you fixing it up?

[@Antney-u6j]

Why are you filming in PORTRAIT orientation?

[@tabbycats8229]

Lol because it's my phone and my phones camera is broken so I have to film a certain way at least until I get a new phone lol!

[@HelloKittyFanMan]

"It has these on every single door." Wow, interesting that she would think it was "necessary" to arm every pantry, bathroom, and furnace closet door, etc., in her house!

[@tabbycats8229]

lol! No I should have said every EXTERIOR door lol! Also this alarm was in there when they bought the place lol

[@HelloKittyFanMan]

@@tabbycats8229: Oh! Yeah, "every _exterior_ door" makes more sense. I wonder why you didn't say that. Hmm... OK, thanks for your reply and comment love!

[@gavinhayes373]

Starting to make me wonder what grandmaw had hiding in that house

[@tabbycats8229]

LOL! It was there when my grandparents bought the place, but the weird thing is that there is a sensor on the attic, which is really odd in my opinion. It was also connected to central station. We also found a safe lock box with nothing in it. It also has an intercom with microphones in each room, etc. Lots of odd stuff for that time. But cool none the less! My grandma said the family that owned it was really weird and kinda creepy according to the neighbors lol so who knows 😅

[@alexandersalarms5380]

awesome system, what detector are you replacing that one with?

[@tabbycats8229]

The smoke detector? Well for that I'd like to try and find an original chloride pyrotector just like it and replace it! The wiring seems good I think the detector is just bad!

[@alexandersalarms5380]

@@tabbycats8229 Oh I see. I'd recommend putting a brand new detector up, but if you can find a chloride detector thatd also be better than nothing

[@vintagesimplexfirealarmsof6440]

Test the fire alarm side of panel

[@tabbycats8229]

I plan on it so stay tuned!

[@oldmacktrucks]

That’s an 80’s system

[@tabbycats8229]

thats odd....it says 1975 as the manufacture date in the panel...any clue why? The house was built in 1967

[@carlomicillo4221]

So it’s a security system

[@tabbycats8229]

yep!

[@carlomicillo4221]

@@tabbycats8229 can you test the fire alarm

[@tabbycats8229]

@@carlomicillo4221 once i get over there again, I will try and film a video!

[@Lando_P1]

Top of the line

[@tabbycats8229]

for back then I believe it was! The man who owned the house owned the alarm company it was hooked too!

[@carlomicillo4221]

Sounds like a cop car 🚓

[@tabbycats8229]

yes it does lol! Thanks for the view!

[@nomusicrc]

Horizontal

[@WildWildWeasel]

Shame it's not purple though 😉

[@tabbycats8229]

The alarm? Lol I thing I know what your referring to...the video of the man trying to say purple burglar alarm 🤣🤣🤣

[@WildWildWeasel]

@@tabbycats8229 there you go haha xD

[@tabbycats8229]

@@WildWildWeasel LOL!

[@ahmedorabi4602]

😢

[@tabbycats8229]

Whats wrong?

[@radon_officially]

​@@tabbycats8229Just ignore it, It's just some 5 year old Arabic Kid

[@BulacanUMNChannel34]

POLICE

[@tabbycats8229]

I have had a lot of people say it sounds like a police car lol! Thanks for the view!