GEM-RP1CAe2 Keypad: Compat# Error

[johnrc22]

My home security system uses the Napco Gemini GEM-P1632 control panel and two
GEM-RP1CAe2 keypads. I was getting a "low battery" message for a day or two.
Then, I got an "Out of System" message on both keypads and neither one would
work (i.e. pushing buttons would beep but had no effect on the system and the
display did not change). I entered the configuration mode in keypad 02 and as
I cycled through the options I mistakenly entered "02" at the "compatibility
number" function instead of the "keypad address" function (there was no
compatibility number set originally). Ultimately, it had no obvious effect on
the system and the "Out of System" error persisted.

As I continued to trouble shoot, I disconnected the battery and things went
back to normal, for the most part. Keypad 01 is functioning normally, but it
is displaying "E02-00 SERVICE" (low battery error) and "E10-02 SERVICE"
(Keypad response failure). Keypad 02 is displaying "02 compat# error" and
it is unresponsive in that the buttons beep when pushed but have no effect. I
have tried to enter the configuration mode as I did before (11123 "function")
but it has no effect. I figure I goofed it up when entered a compatibility
number the first time around, but now I can't get into configuration mode to
try to fix it. I would appreciate any advice on how to fix my goof up.

Thanks


John
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[ABLE1]

Dear John, (always wanted to type that)

I am not a Gemini expert by any stretch of imagination but, I would say
you should be spending a few required dollar$$$ on a NEW battery before
you start playing around in programming in an attempt stop the panel
from telling you the problem.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

[johnr...@gmail.com]

Able1,

You're certainly right about that. Actually, I didn't start playing around with programming until I got the "out of system" error on both keypads and they stopped responding to any inputs. Still not the right move, obviously.

The question is what can I do now to get into programming on my keypad that is stuck on "compat# error" and is unresponsive?

Thanks

[johnr...@gmail.com]

Also, I should have added that I have replaced the battery. . .

[ABLE1]

Again NOT a expert on the Gemini in any shape or form.

Good move on replacing the battery. Great start, or finish.........

The only word of wisdom that might even conjure up would be to do a
power cycle on the panel. Failing that I got's no clue.

Good luck!!!

[johnrc22]

replying to johnrcurry , johnrc22 wrote:
To close the loop on this. . .


I was able to get back into programming on the keypad by disconnecting then
reconnecting the power to the keypad. Once I did that I was back to "out of
system" from which I could enter programming, and replace the mistakenly set
compatibility number with the correct one. Now all is well.

[johnrc22]

replying to ABLE1 , johnrc22 wrote:

Doing a power cycle on the panel did the trick. Once I did that I was able to
enter the programming mode and remove the offending compatibility number. Now
all is well. Thanks for your help.

John

> someone wrote:
>
> Again NOT a expert on the Gemini in any shape or form.
>
> Good move on replacing the battery. Great start, or finish.........
>
> The only word of wisdom that might even conjure up would be to do a
> power cycle on the panel. Failing that I got's no clue.
>
> Good luck!!!
>
>

[ABLE1]

Well Ok then. I will now add to my resume'.

ABLE1 = OVER THE TOP EXPERT GEMINI TECHNICIAN.

Yea, that will help with the bottom line.

[Bob La Londe]

"ABLE1" <som...@nowhere.net> wrote in message
news:5HPDx.64057$by3....@fx04.iad...

> Well Ok then. I will now add to my resume'.
>
> ABLE1 = OVER THE TOP EXPERT GEMINI TECHNICIAN.
>
> Yea, that will help with the bottom line.

Good job Les. Sorry, I crashed my play computer a couple weeks ago and have
been off Usenet until a few minutes ago. A trick I learned a long time ago
for quick and dirty KP swaps and preconfiguration is to connect power to a
battery and configure the keypad before installing. Its also a good way to
make sure panel operation isn't knocking things out of whack. Disconnect
from panel, powerup, configure.

[ABLE1]

Bob,

Welcome back or something. Didn't know you were in a black hole. :-)

Never thought about the keypad trick. Don't do much programming from the
keypad. Almost always use laptop. Only do keypad stuff to take a zone
out or check history on site.

Maybe someday when the thought pops in my head and I am setting up a NX
system I will see if it works. My only question is how do you get into
programming the keypad when the Installer Code is in the panel and not
the keypad?? If the keypad is not connected to the panel how do you do
that??

Maybe I will at least try it on Monday?? I have to swap out 7 devices on
a NX8e. Very way out there on another planet issue.

Something (possible 7 devices on Data Buss) is locking up the processor.
Customer goes in, no response from keypad for delay, no response from
keypad presses. Only thing that will clear it are a power cycle. Then
all is normal, like it never happened. Nothing in history. Everything
works just great.

Has happened just three times in the past 2 months. System has been
installed for over two years. First two times were a week apart, then
good for over a month. No, power surge or spike that can be reported.
Good for weeks and then nothing. It would take me years of
troubleshooting to separate and isolate the problem device so a full
swap of all 7 devices will make the problem hopefully go away. Hoping my
Monday (scary thoughts just happened) will go well.

Later,

Les

[Bob La Londe]

"ABLE1" <som...@nowhere.net> wrote in message

news:6PdKx.136901$EX5....@fx05.iad...

RP1CAe2 keypad configuration is held in the keypad and uses the keypad
config code. It does not use the master code or the dealer code. Keypad
address, zone expander address, some keypad sounds, compatibility number.
Had a cusotmer screw themselves all up a few years ago because they had a
flaky keypad and didn't want to pay for a service call. They swapped
keypads and zones were whack. LOL. Had constant issues until they finally
sprung for a service call and a new keypad.

I was a total Richard Cranium about it too.

[tony]

I have the same problem exactly. However. Unplugging that keypad and plugging it back in is not changing it back to out of system. That one keypad will not respond at all.

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[ABLE1]

On 11/18/2022 10:45 PM, tony wrote:
> I have the same problem exactly. However. Unplugging that keypad and
> plugging it back in is not changing it back to out of system. That one
> keypad will not respond at all.
>

Tony,

Since you are responding to a seven(7) year old solution maybe the
answer to your issue was typed then.

As for now with minimal supplied info it would only be a total guess.

BTW you can buy "New" keypads on eBay!!

Good Luck!!

Les

[Bob La Londe]

The two most common issues that cause out of system on a previously
working RPC1CAe2 keypad are.

1. Dead panel that still provides enough juice to power keypads. Usually
a dead/low/bad battery pulling down the system. Can also be AC fail and
slow death of battery.

2. Damaged wiring connection on data lead. (Yellow green at keypad).
Most often a bad splice at the keypad, but can be wires that compressed
over time at the barrier strip on the panel.

3. Less often is "somebody" monkeying with "in keypad" keypad
programming as the original OP did in this thread seven years ago.

OTHER:

X. I never had this issue, but I have heard of "new" keypad not
programmed properly that a customer bought off ebay.

Y. I did one have a customer move keypads around so that the
programming no longer matched the zone expansion modules numbers in the
keypads.

Note: "In keypad" programming is stored in the keypad and is most
easily programmed manually at the keypad. I'm not sure if keypad
configuration can even be done any other way. I would usually
pre-program the keypad by hooking the power leads to a battery before
installing it.

Dang. I can still be useful... maybe.

When I would run a service call like this I'd check CS log if monitored.
If not monitored I'd check transformer power and battery before doing
anything else. Most often all it needed was a new battery.

Once Dr McEvil overloaded the power grid testing his cold laser.

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