Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Ademco 5890pi Motion Sensor Only Works In Test Mode



I just had a wireless security system installed, I have 3 door and 2 motion sensors.
They are all wireless, the installer was able to get the 3 door and one of the motion sensors installed and tested no problem but the last motion sensor in the living room (15 feet away from the main control Honeywell LUNXR-2) only works in the TEST mode and will not trigger an alarm in the NORMAL mode, since this unit is battery operated I would like to get it working in NORMAL mode since in TEST mode is flashes the LED light and will drain the battery.
The installer messed with this for 8 hours (no jokes) and could not get it working, after he left, I figured I will read the manual and DELETE / ADD the motion sensor myself and try different things. I have moved the sensor to several locations in the living room, have tried it in pulse ( ON and OFF) with NORMAL jumper setting. I have deleted and added the sensor in different zones such as kitchen and dinning room and have had no luck in getting it to work.
It only works in TEST jumper setting mode, the odd thing is that the other motion sensor works just fine in NORMAL + Pulse OFF and it is upstairs 3 times farther away than the living room motion sensor.
Any ideas?
PS, the installer tried out a second motion sensor in the living room and had the same problem.
Thanks

First, did you open and close an entry exit door? Remember, modern alarm systems auto-bypass interior zones if you don't open and close an entry-exit door.
Second, wireless motions do have an automatic power saving mode where they only react to motion every 3-5 minutes.

No, I did not run the test in that manner, I tried the doors while I was testing, in random order and LUNXR-2 triggered an alarm.
Are you saying that I need to place the motion sensor in the NORMAL mode, than go to LUNXR-2 panel and put the it into test mode (number + test key) and than try a door first (main door) and than try moving around in the living room? If the motion sensor goes to power save, how will it trigger if someone breaks a window and comes in?
Please tell me how I should conduct a test?
Thank you.

The power save mode only limits the number of activations within a couple of minutes. If you are armed in away mode, then there is nothing to constantly activate the motion timer, thus it will alarm if something enters it's field of view.
The best way to test the Lynxr is to arm the system in away mode, open and close an entry exit door, then get out of the field of view of the motion(s). Wait a couple of minutes, then try moving in front of the motion.
The actual problem is that you apparently didn't have an installer who was well enough versed in the function of the system to give you a proper walk thru.

The installer said this was his first LUNXR-2 system he had no training in it
Many thanks for your advice.

hi there,
did this solve your problem?
i'm having the same issue here.

Yes, after reading the answer given to my original question (MrRonFL) and reading the programmer and installer manual again carefully, I figured out that I should jumper the motion sensor for NORMAL set the pulse jumper to disabled, (I have cats) and run a test by:
Engaging the Alarm for real (call the monitoring company first and tell them you are running a zone test.
Open and close a main exit door, stay out of motion sensor range for 3 minutes or more (like you have left your house).
Walk into the motion sensor view area, your alarm should trigger, this is like someone broke your window and came in and none of your main exit doors were opened up.
PS, the motion sensor goes into power saver mode and best way to wake it up is to use the AWAY option and test it for real. It would sense an intruder and send a signal and then sleep for 2 minutes or more since it has triggered the designers of the sensor did not see any reason to continuously triggering it (sort of power save).
But try it out to make sure. Also, the sensor should not be installed close to a light or heating vents, also you should avoid having a ceiling FAN, on when you are testing or you leave the house, ceiling fans can cause false behaviors.
I hope this helps.

I am having the same problem, but in my case I can't get the serial number to show up with the (L)when I try to program it up. Any Idea:

Put a opaque hat over the motion. When you get to the prompt for the serial transmission, take the hat off to trip the motion.
This keeps the 3 minute lockout between activations from goofing you up.

Ok kiddies...
The good folks at Honeywell Ademco have done a poor job of documenting the DUAL TAMPER Switches on the 5894PI Motion Detector. YOU MUST HAVE THE MOUNTING PLATE INSTALLED to close the posterior switch as well as have the front cover installed to close the tamper switch.... ONLY IN THIS MANNER WILL THE 5894PI work and stop issuing the CHECK #??? response.
IT IS SO EASY.. A HIGH SCHOOL DROP OUT CAN INSTALL AN ALARM...... Enjoy.... TRUTH HURTS... I KNOW...
Tags: ademco, motion, sensor, only, works, test, mode, motion sensor, living room, exit door