Experiencing issues with your Temperature Sensor Alarm after a system update can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you rely on accurate temperature readings for home monitoring. One user encountered perplexing problems with their Qolsys IQ Panel 4 and PG9905 temperature sensors after a firmware upgrade and the addition of more sensors. This experience sheds light on potential temperature sensor alarm issues and offers insights for users facing similar challenges.
Initially, the user’s setup with two PG9905 sensors seemed to function perfectly with the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 and the Alarm.com app. At this stage, the panel was running firmware version 4.0.1, and the temperature sensors appeared to be reporting data without any hiccups. Encouraged by this initial success, the user decided to expand their temperature monitoring capabilities by adding two more PG9905 sensors. The intention was to monitor refrigerator and freezer temperatures, alongside existing sensors tracking house and garage temperatures. At this point, with firmware 4.0.1, there were no apparent issues, and the user was satisfied with the temperature sensor performance, unaware of the problems that lay ahead with adding more PG9905 sensors. Unbeknownst to the user, a limitation of two PG9905 temperature sensors existed, a detail not readily found on the vendor’s website.
The trouble began when the user attempted to install a third PG9905 sensor while still on firmware version 4.0.1. Although the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 allowed the addition of the third sensor, the temperature readings within the app stopped updating for the original sensors. This marked the onset of temperature sensor alarm issues. Compounding the sensor problems, the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 started exhibiting erratic behavior, flashing black and white screens. Seeking assistance, the user contacted support and learned about a newer firmware version, 4.1.0, which was subsequently installed. The firmware release notes mentioned changes related to temperature sensors, raising hopes for a resolution. However, upgrading to version 4.1.0 did not rectify the temperature reading issues, even after removing the newly added third sensor. Despite the sensors seemingly failing to provide updated temperature values, the system did appear to detect and signal out-of-limit temperature conditions. The temperature value in the app would change color from black to red, indicating an alarm state, even though the numerical temperature reading itself remained static and outdated.
In an attempt to find a workaround, and following a suggestion to use Z-wave sensors, the user acquired two ADC-2000T Z-wave temperature sensors. These were installed to monitor house and garage temperatures, aiming to bypass the suspected PG9905 sensor limitations. However, integrating these Z-wave sensors also proved problematic, adding further complexity to the troubleshooting process. To isolate the root cause of the issues, the user uninstalled the Z-wave sensors, deciding to focus on resolving the PG9905 sensor alarm problems first. The core issue persisted: temperature readings from the PG9905 sensors were not consistently updating after the firmware update to 4.1.0, except for the out-of-limit alarm indications.
Frustration mounted as the user tallied the expenses incurred in trying to establish a reliable temperature monitoring system. Significant funds were invested in the Qolsys IQ Panel 4, multiple PG9905 sensors, and Z-wave sensors, yet a fundamental aspect – accurate temperature readings – remained elusive. Coupled with the financial investment, countless hours were spent troubleshooting and attempting to resolve the temperature sensor alarm malfunctions. Without the ability to revert the panel firmware back to version 4.0.1, the user felt stuck, suspecting a firmware bug in version 4.1.0 as the underlying cause of the temperature sensor alarm issues. This experience underscores the challenges users can face with smart home device compatibility and firmware updates, particularly concerning temperature sensor alarms and accurate environmental monitoring.
