Bought a house over the summer and it had a hardwired security system in it. We’ve updated with a more modern system and we’ve just been ignoring the old system despite the fact that they placed a constantly glowing keypad in our bedroom that illuminates the room at night.

The other day the auxiliary battery fell from its mount at 6:30am and set the whole system off chirping until we discovered the error.

My first inclination is to just cut all the wires away from monitoring panels and the auxiliary panel and fish what we can back through the walls. We’ve already started replacing windows in the house and the installers have already cut those window leads.

I just wanted to know if there’s anything I need to know before I start on my hack and pull path.

It’s a Brinks system and obviously not monitored.

Me too (so to speak). Same issue!

I would just cut the power (unplug? pull from breaker?) and pull the panel, patch the wall, and leave the wiring (as long as no electricity flows thru them, who cares if it is still in the wall,,,,)

unless the wires in the walls bother you, simply remove the panels, patch the walls, and leave the wires in the walls.

The only reason I thought about pulling the wires is because they were all gathered in one spot and looked easy enough to pull and recycle. If I met any resistance I would definitely leave them on the wall.

Don't bother taking them out of the wall. Find the transformer for the alarm system. Typically plugged in a regular wall outlet with a 18-2 wire leading to the control panel. The transformers are typically brown/tan/gray and are approx. 4"x3"x3" with two screw terminals on the back. Often times the transformer will be plugged in with a screw going through the top which replaces the plate screw for the outlet and keeps the plug from being accidentally unplugged.

After finding the transformer and removing it, find the alarm control panel and disconnect the battery. After disconnecting both power source the panels should go dark and you are safe to cut any and all wires.

One question, why didn't the new alarm company do this for you as part of you install?

I can think of no reason to remove wires from wall.

Note where they are and patch the hole in the wall is as far as I would go.

At some point you may be greatful to have hardwire prestrung.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:


One question, why didn't the new alarm company do this for you as part of you install?

It’s through our internet and TV, part of a bundle pack and the new security is wireless so I didnt even think that was an option.

I prefer the wired systems. And I've had both wired and wireless in different homes. Not that this information helps you at all at this point.

Call your bundle company and ask them what they will charge to remove the panel.

quote:

Originally posted by gibby29:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
One question, why didn't the new alarm company do this for you as part of you install?

It’s through our internet and TV, part of a bundle pack and the new security is wireless so I didnt even think that was an option.

If it's Comcast I wouldn't be too quick to go ripping stuff out. Their home security product doesn't get exactly glowing reviews.

I'd just tuck the old cabling in and leave it in place. Who knows, you might want it again some day.

quote:

Originally posted by dbgeek:
unless the wires in the walls bother you, simply remove the panels, patch the walls, and leave the wires in the walls.

^^^This. I did something similar with our home when I changed out the old system. I did however opt to leave the system box in the wall in my laundry room, but gutted it of the security system components and turned it into a large hanging key box.