Building your own system is easy using readily available hardware ordered from online stores like Amazon or eBay.
We will walk you through everything you will need to get started.
What exactly is our system?
Our main system runs on the readily available Raspberry Pi using the Rasbian operating system. The Raspberry Pi is a
computer about the size of a credit card. With an average price of around $40.00, the Pi is an amazing piece of hardware.
For more advanced setups, the Voltsec system can be expanded using Arduino boards. Arduino boards are also small computers,
ranging in from from $4.00 to $30.00.
How to get started?
First thing is first - you will need to order all of the pieces to create your "bare bones" system. Don't worry - it isn't
complicated, and we will walk you through it on the next page. The security "panel" (or "main system") should cost you less than $70.00.
Then what?
When you have all the pieces, we will walk you through how to wire them all together. You don't need to have a lot of skill in
wiring and electronics. Each component is fairly simple to install, and we will walk you through each step in our
"How To" tutorials.
I think I have everything in place. Now what?
You need to install the software on your security board. Don't worry - this is easy. All you need is a Windows computer, a microSD
card reader and a USB cable. Our software makes loading the Voltsec system very easy. Just follow the directions in our
"How To" tutorials.
Am I ready now?
Time to give our system a try now! You will need to create an account and follow the instructions to get your system up and running.
We will give you a FREE 30 DAY TRIAL period where we won't even ask you for your credit card information. Once your 30 days has expired,
you will be able to subscribe to our service for only $9.99 per month.
Prerequisites
There are only a few requirements you need to know before you begin.
Internet Access
Our system requires an internet connection in your home.
Router capable of port-forwarding
When you setup your system, you will assign your system a port. That port is used to direct traffic coming from outside your
home to your security system. Forwarding the port on your router directs all incoming traffic with that port to your security
systems. Most routers are capable of forwarding a port to a local IP address. If you are unsure if your router has this capability,
or if you are unsure how to do this, check with your router's manufacturer.
Internet line where you will install your system
While our system does allow for wireless configuration, we highly recommend hard-wiring your system to your router.
To do so, you will need to makeget an internet line (Cat5, Cat5e or Cat6 cable) to the location you are going to
install your system. If you are not able to directly hard-wire your security system to your network, you may want to use
a Powerline adapter kit, such as the
NETGEAR PowerLINE 1200.
Windows PC/Laptop/Tablet
You will need a Windows PC, laptop or tablet (Windows 10 or higher and 1 available USB port) in order to
load the firmware on to your security system microcontroller.
microSD Card Reader
You will need to load the Voltsec software to a microSD card. In order to do this, you will need a microSD card reader attached to your Windows
computer or tablet.
Hard-Wired Sensors
Voltsec currently doesn't support wireless sensors. It is designed for scenarios where a home is wired for security.
Make sure that for any sensor you want installed that you can connect a
22 AWG security cable
to your security panel.
The following items are all required to set up a "bare bones" system. Please read carefully before you make any purchases!
A "bare bones" system will typically cost around $100.00.
The core components needed to start your Voltsec system w/ an optional breakout board
Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi is a series of small single-board computers developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in association with Broadcom
(referred to as a "board" throughout this site). These boards are inexpensive and can be purchased from retailers such as Amazon or Best Buy.
The Voltsec system is supported on the following models of the Raspberry Pi:
Raspberry Pi Model 4B (recommended)
Raspberry Pi Model 3B+
Raspberry Pi Model 3B
The Raspberry Pi 4B (sometimes referred to just as "Raspberry Pi 4") can be purchased
here from Amazon for around $60.00.
COVID-19 Disclaimer: Due to the shortage of semiconductors caused by COVID-19, availability and prices may vary significantly.
Supply chain issues are expected to be back to normal by the second half of 2023.
Click here for more information.
Note: We have not tested the Voltsec system on a Raspberry Pi 2B or Raspberry Pi B+. As such, we do not consider it "supported" or recommend it. However we do not
have anything that would prevent you from loading it on one of these sytems. So if you choose to use an older model Raspberry Pi, proceed at your own risk!
A Raspberry Pi Model 3B+
microSD Card
A microSD card (and card reader) is needed to install the Raspberry Pi operating system. We require the card to be at least 16GB and no more than 64GB.
We recommend a SanDisk microSDHC UHS-1 Class 10 memory card available here from
Amazon for approximately $6.00.
Power Supply Adapter
Your Raspberry Pi will not come with a power adapter needed to power your system unless it specifically says on the packaging one is included.
The type of power adapter you need will depend on the model of Raspberry Pi that you purchased.
Raspberry Pi Model 4B - requires a USB-C 5V 3.5A Power Supply and can be purchased here
for approximately $10.00.
Raspberry Pi Model 3B and 3B+ - requires a 5V 2.5A Power Supply and can be purchased here
for approximately $10.00.
Important: Using anything other than the recommended power supplies can risk damaging your components.
Ethernet Cable
We highly recommend hard-wiring your Voltsec system to your router using a Cat5, Cat5-e or Cat6 ethernet cable. However, the Voltsec system does
support wi-fi if you are unable to put your system near your router or a network switch.
Regardless if you setup your system wired or wireless, you will still need to plug your system directly into your router for the initial configuration (and
setting up your wi-fi if you decide to use wireless).
Optional
Screw Terminals / Breakout Board
While the Raspberry Pi is an amazing piece of hardware, it is not easy to attach a security wire to the pins on the board. And the pins are not labeled,
meaning that you need to look at the pinout schematics. Using a breakout board with screw terminals makes this a lot easier.
There are many options available for simplifying the hookup process. But the one that we like the most is a GPIO Expansion Board that can be purchased
here
for approximately $19.00.
Alternatively, you could use a breakout kit with a breadboard, such as the kit available
here for approximately $9.00.
Optional
Expansion Boards
As much as we love the Raspberry Pi, one downfall is that there are only 22 GPIO pins available for use. For larger systems, this may not be enough and may require
expansion boards.
Expansion boards can also be used for scenarios where a person has a detached garage and wants sensors installed in their garage. Instead of a need to run security wire
for each sensor in the garage, a single CAT-5 wire could be used be bridge the garage and the main system.
We use Adruino microcontrollers as our expansion boards. The following three boards are supported for use with the Voltsec system.
Do you plan to hookup a siren? Do you want to be able to open your garage door with your system? Want to do more with
your system? Your system has the ability to trigger relays to put your system to work for you. The size of the relay that
you will need depends on how much you plan to hookup. At the price point, an
8 channel 5V relay module is a good bet!
Optional
Structured Enclosures
You will need to put your security system inside some kind of enclosure. What you want to put it in is completely up to you.
An old shoebox will work just fine. But if you would like something a little more "structured", we recommend a
Leviton 14" enclosure, or a
28" enclosure for larger systems.
Important:
Regardless of where you plan to mount or install your security system, it is important not to let the electronic connections on the back of the your system
boards (Raspberry Pi or Arduino boards) come into contact with anything that can carry or short an electronic signal. If you use a metal enclosure,
it is important to put some kind of felt padding or spacers behind the boards as a barrier. It may also be wise to cover all of the connection points
on the back of the boards with hot glue. Failure to carefully mount your components can result in electrical shock and damage the components.
Optional
UPS Battery Backup
Your security system will be useless in a power outage. Unless you add a UPS to your system. UPS battery backups vary in size and capacity.
But a good starting point would be the 600VA backup.
Optional
Miscellaneous Electrical
For larger systems, you may find that you run out of ground and 5V pins. When planning our your system, you may need to have some of the following
electrical accessories to account for your specific scenario.
12V Power Adapter -
Needed if you are going to use motion or glass break sensors.
Available here.
Screw Terminal Strip Block -
Easily expand your 5v and GND pins for larger systems. Available
here.
Electrical Push Connectors -
Safely and easily combine multiple wires together. Available
here.
Assorted jumper wires -
Having problems connecting a stranded 18 AWG security wire to the Raspberry Pi? Use a jumper wire! Available
here.
Breadboards -
Breadboards aren't the most secured way to install a system as the wires can be pulled out easily. But for people that like to play
around with different configurations, you can't beat how easy they are to use! Available
here.
Get Registered!
Parts ordered and waiting for them to get here? Take the time to get registered to our site and start looking around! We look forward to you signing up!
