What type of enthusiast? Read all the definitions before voting!
Non-Collectors
Casual
Knowledgeable
Technician
Re-sellers
0voters
Hey, here’s a topic to find out what kind of enthusiast you are.
Nobody in the forum staff is going to judge anyone. The whole idea of this topic is to see what our audience is.
Voting is voluntary and anonymous, feel free to post below if you want. Read all the definitions below before voting.
DEFINITIONS:
Non-Collectors:
Interested but prefers not to have a collection. Often knows a lot about alarm technology from reading.
Casual:
Collectors who only have a handful of alarms. Come on the forum and talk once in a while, make some videos here and there, etc.
Knowledgeable:
Collectors who know almost everything about fire alarm stuff and have reasonably sized collections. May also prefer to only collect the very rare stuff that is hard to find.
Technician:
Knowledgeable Collectors who have moved above collecting to get a job in the industry. May slowly sell off some of their collection.
Re-sellers:
Knowledgeable Collectors who have a small to large size collection of their own but often buy large lots of alarms and re-sell them to other collectors at reasonable prices.
I definitely started out as a more “casual” collector, but over time, I turned into a reseller. Although large quantities of alarms pass through my hands, I only set aside stuff for my collection that’s hard to find and sell the rest (http://firealarmstore.com).
I would say more of knowledgeable. I have built a panel, and am planning a second one. I have a collection of about 10 alarms now (will double soon, thanks to Destin).
I’m somewhere between casual and knowledgeable. I have some smoke alarms, but I’m not looking right now to start a big collection. I know a reasonable amount about smoke and fire alarms. I’m on here often, but not all the time.
I would say non-collector. I do enjoy all the knowledge behind the various alarm subjects and electronics that I’ve learned through bugging people like Andrew with stupid questions on Youtube comments. I do like the idea of collecting but it’s not economically wise.
I’d consider myself as knowledgeable. I technically don’t work for a company, but I installed a residential fire/burglary system in my home. It has been working great and has been rock solid. (Ademco Vista 20P.) Everything meets or exceeds electrical and fire alarm code. There is no exposed wire. The only place you can see surface run wire is through rigid metal conduit, leading from the panel cabinet to the battery cabinet. And yes, I used 18/4 FPL/P/R wire, properly and gently stapled to the tops of ceiling joists for all the fire alarm and common system components, like the transformer, keypad, and siren.
I also like to collect old fire alarm equipment from the 60’s 70’s 80’s and a few rare 90’s devices. I also like to collect old smoke alarms that you just can’t find anymore, such as old BRK and ESL models.
I’d also say knowledgeable. I’ve been collecting and learning about fire alarm equipment on forums for around 10 years, but I now have more of a casual interest. I’m stripping my collection back to about 20 of my favorites.
I would definitely say I am casual. I know a good 50-75 model numbers for alarms. I easily have over 200 fire alarm photos. I do have 2 ( although I have a third alarm device coming in any day now ) devices. All of my them, ironically, are smoke alarms, because they are just about the easiest devices you can get ( considering you could just go to the store and buy a pack of 2 for like $20 ), although all of mine are hand-me-downs. I do post every now and then on this website too.
Please stay on topic. I know a lot of the experienced/longtime users disprove any reply(s) that are off topic.Please PM me an i will answer your question.
NOTE: I am not a mod, i have just noticed what mods like and i believe its a rule to stay in topic.
I would say I’m somewhere in between the “casual” and “knowledgeable” categories. I feel I do have a decent sized collection, and a fair amount of knowledge about alarm systems, etc.
Also, I would say I have the preference of collecting common and really rare items. My collection has a fairly good mix of the two.