Tags
alarm, Everspring, Iris, Lowe's iris, Lowes, Siren, YouTube, Z-Wave
After my failed attempt to find official supported Siren from Iris, I decided to find an alternative. I ran some Google searches for “z wave siren” which lead me to an image that looks exactly like the one Lowe’s offered but it had a different brand. It’s called Everspring model SE812-2. Once I figured out the brand and model it was easier to search for it.
As you can see from below the image from Amazon and the screen shot taken from the Lowe’s Youtube video. It looks identical.
Lowes Iris siren from YouTube
Once I figured this out I needed a cheep way to test this, Ebay.com became my best friend. I was able to find someone who was offer the exact siren and I ordered it.
It took me a few hours to figure out because the instructions wasn’t meant for the average home user. Most of the instructions has information about programming, and talks about commands you can provide.
Example: “The Following information is for someone that has some experience setting up a Z-Wave system or someone that has computer software running a Z-Wave controller.” {Everspring Manual SE812-2}
The instructions wasn’t very clear and very confusing. I’ve tried using the instructions from the Youtube video and it didn’t work and wouldn’t pair with the hub. I almost gave up after an hour till I found the section for “Include to or Exclude from a Z-Wave network”. So the one line that helped me and got the siren added to Iris was “Press link key 3 times within 1.5 seconds will enter inclusion mode”. (What!?!? Can you tell me this in human terms please?)
Here’s my human instructions to add the Siren to Iris hub.
1) Open the back cover and install batteries.
2) Login to Iris website and set Iris hub to add device.
3) There is button between the batteries where you need press it three times quickly.
4) The Iris hub should beep to confirm it’s connected.
5) The siren should display as a device connected on Iris website.
I’ve also created a video on Youtube to show how this is done.
There are also other instructions regarding this siren.
1) Enabling Siren when intruder alarm is triggered.
2) Set Alarm sound between 100db (High) or 90db (Low)
3) Enable/Disable Siren if someone tries to tamper the device
4) Test siren
5) Disconnecting the siren from Iris
Given that the Everspring model (I believe) has two settings of 90 and 100 db and that the Iris Siren (Utilitech) siren has been heavily criticized for not being loud enough (85 db max), would those of you who have installed the Everspring model encourage novice folks like me to get the Everspring model over the Utilitech model even though it costs more and probably won’t have instructions/support to connect to Iris? Your thoughts would be appreciated! I’m also considering just purchasing a cheap siren and plugging it into a smart switch which would turn on lights and the siren if the motion detectors/door sensors are triggered. Any thoughts on this?
Ken,
I have both and the Utilitech version does show 100 db even though the Lowe’s website says 85 db. You can review the review on Lowe’s website about the siren and can even see that one of them even says the following. “I have it set on 100 db. My free iPhone db app measured it at 100 db.”
The Everspring does have one feature that is missing from Utilitech version is the tamper feature, where if someone tries to take the batteries out it will go off.
Regarding the a cheap siren and plugging it in. I prefer the battery option considered if the power goes out the siren can still go off. For me the battery is more of a failsafe feature.
THANKS!!! Very much appreciate the information I’ve found on this site.
I’ve installed a Fortrezz SA03, 110 dB siren. Much louder than my Iris siren. Iris recognizes it as a switch. Used Magic to turn on when intruder alarm.
That is a problem since magic is not enabled in basic mode.
It would be good to have a list of which ones work without magic options.
I have a cheap non wireless one plugged into the outlet switch.
I have the gen 2 hub and bought a Fortrezz SA03 and it’ll pair to the IRIS hub, but it will just call it an Unknown Device and I can’t add it to any scenes. Can you give some insight on how you got it working?
Question.
Can this alarm be set to trigger “After” The Normal Alarm.
I.E. Scenario
User Comes home, forgot their key fob.
Keypad Starts Beeping, then “Alarm goes off” (Normally while they’re panicking trying to key in their code)
The “Alarm” Goes off & Then they finally get it to go off 2 seconds later.
What I want is if the keypad alarm is going off for 30-60 seconds then the LOUD (External ? ) Alarm is triggered.
Can this be done with IRIS ?