Customer Reviews

GE 45138 Choice-Alert Wireless Signal Repeater

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For a 2-bedroom apartment, may not need this GE45138 repeater. However, for any size beyond this or for multiple levels, you will definitely need to place perhaps multiple Signal Repeaters between essentially all >25ft. 3V cell sensors (i.e., garage and window/door sensors), along with the 9V battery motion sensors, if those placed more than 50-ft away from any GE Control Center. Each repeater takes up ½ of an AC duplex outlet, but includes a test button with LED indicator. If you have a choice, I suggest placing these repeaters closer to the sensors vs. midway between sensor and any controller...as you're essentially 120VAC boosting the weak 3VDC sensor cell transmission.

And these repeaters are not just plug-&-play, either: i.e., just by tilting the antennae 60 degrees vs. 90 degrees will often make the difference between bypassing interior wall wooden studs or fire-blocking to make this repeater boost sensors reliably 24-hrs. a day. If you're a "technoid", like me, and don't mind playing with your system---no problem. Conversely, if you're easily frustrated, you should probably avoid this GE Choice Alert system entirely, and just spend about $75/month for a professionally installed hard-wired service. But professional systems false-alarms occasionally too. Plus, then you will usually need to also spend $148/yr. just for a city alarm permit, plus likely get $75.00 city citations per more than 2 false-alarms per month.

My overall advice for technoids is to purchase multiple GE45142 controllers + GE45137 as a basis for designing your own "silent-alert" (with non GE phone dialer) vs. "audible-alarm" system and get creative, remembering that the 3VDC cell sensors will not have the radio-transmission range as compared to 12VDC equivalent Skylink sensors. But GE system generally much cheaper, plus GE's Controllers and ordinary 9V motion-detectors work great! Just remember, you'll have the flexibility of multiple and movable control centers as its primary advantage (vs. hardwired). Additionally, while the system sets up in minutes, you'll probably spend hours tweaking it over time. But that's the fun part!

The Garage sensors GE 45130 signal didnot reach GE 45138 control center beyond 50 ft across the stucco wall. The repeater which I installed in the garage close to the sensors have solved that problem. I had to call support line which was picked up after long wait. The tech person was knowledgeable and helpful.

About 1.5 months ago I bought this repeater as part of an alarm system after someone broke into my garage. The system consisted of GE 45142 Choice-Alert Wireless Control Center with Door or Window Sensor Kit, 3 GE 45131 Choice-Alert Wireless Door/Window Sensor and GE 45138 Choice-Alert Wireless Signal Repeater. With the exception of the repeater I am delighted. For me however, the repeater was worse than bad. Multiple times the system would set up fine but by morning the switch in the garage (which was on the repeater) had dropped out. There was no indication that it was no longer working -- it just wouldn't trip the alarm when the door was open. In the evening I tested the zone to make sure the switch was working before setting the alarm but in the morning the zone on the repeater often no longer worked. I finally modified the switch in the garage so that the reed switch sensor was on a wire and the wireless part of the switch was about 6 feet away. For the last week the system works fine but the repeater is no longer a part of the system.

I bought this because my control centre (on the second floor) would occasionally start flashing, indicating that the signal had been lost from sensors on the ground floor. There were also occasional problems with receiving a signal when the motion sensor was triggered.

Once I plugged in the signal repeater (close to the problematic sensors downstairs), there were no more problems. All signals are being received, and there is no more loss of contact with any sensors. I would say that this is a necessity for this home security system if you have a large property or multiple floors.

This security system works well. Sometimes difficult to get programmed, but once programmed it works great and gives some relief of security and a good night's sleep. The motion detection works great and the other accessories go great with the unit. All accessories I added only made the system better.

Overall range of the wireless alarm system is marginal at best. I started out without the extender. Sensors are in my garage and receiver is about 40 foot away inside the house. Did not work at all without the extender. With it the alarms work about 50% of the time. System is ok if you are just looking for an indication that a door is open. If you realty need a reliable alarm system this may not be the best choice.