I’ve developed some code that will mirror a Paradox Alarm as a python dictionary using the PRT3 module. I will start another thread for how to use it in Home Assistant once that part of the code is in a state that can be published as an initial version.
Currently supported:
get area and zone labels based on panel type
get area and zone statuses
update python dictionary with changes on alarm as they happen
arming and disarming of areas
This I believe is the minimum needed in order to start integration testing to HA.
To test you would need a Paradox alarm with a PRT3 module installed and linked up to a usb port.
To install it use “pip3 install pyparadox_alarm” on the machine connected to the PRT3.
There is a test harness that connects to the alarm, gets all the labels of all the partitions and zones and proceeds to set all the initial statuses based on the alarm panel in a python dictionary.
The test harness should also update the python dictionary with any changes as they happen on the alarm, i.e. zones open/close and area arm/disarm.
You might have to change the panel type. The default is an Evo48 that I have limited to 21 zones.
There are still some bugs that require attention so I would appreciate some testers to see if my success is universal.
On the development side I also require some help with serial comms as it is quite slow. I can only get it to work reliably doing one command at a time. As soon as I send commands in bulk, I sometimes loose some data, but again not a prerequisite for testing HA integration.
And as always, some advice and pointers on belts and braces would only improve the code.
Yes, I will definitely get to it as that is what I will be using to open/close my garage door and gate. However, I want to get it working with HA first in order to complete my “Good night house” scene working.
For LAN you would need the IP100 or IP150 module if that is what you meant. I found the IP100 too slow, but that might simply have been the Paradox iOS App. The idea is to also support the IP100/150 in the future. There are other python projects that already have it working using MQTT.
If you meant, having your HA install on a different machine to which you will be connecting your PRT3. Then I don’t think so as I will have to write the code to expose everything on http which is beyond my capability at the moment.
If you have any skills integrating to HA you might look at this repository as an MQTT alarm is already supported in HA.
From what I understand the IP150 is a little faster but was mainly developed to support SMTP which the IP100 could not support. So the MQTT library above should also work with your IP100.
I tried the first version and it works well, but does not handle PGM.
The version 2 is not compatible with my central (EVO192).
Unfortunately, this application keeps “busy” communication with mobile apps
Thanks for sharing. Would love to understand whether all ok now for you via PRT3. Am just starting out with HA and need to make decision whether to buy PRT3 and integrate with my ancient DGP848 panel or rather opt for IP150, but this means newer panel and receiver as well.
Unfortunately, my home automation efforts ground to a halt as I got swamped at the office.
My view is that there seems to be more success and momentum on using IP150 and MQQT.
This is probably the route that I will take too once I can get back to this as my Python skills were just a little lacking to get the final bits working up to the HA standard.
A solution would be fantastic. I am actually considering replacing my Paradox with a DSC, just to get automation going. Any integration to Paradox from Home Assistant will bring absolute joy to my little world… If you do get time to start this again, I would be very happy to assist with testing or anything else that you might need.
