Skip to main content
Knowledge Base

Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor - Ghost Controls TSS1 Installation Guide

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF

Notice: Installation and maintenance servicing for this device should only be performed by qualified personnel.

Wiring a Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor to a compatible gate controller allows users to control their gate directly from the comfort of their home or business using the Alarm.com mobile application.

This guide will cover installing the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor with the Ghost Controls TSS1 gate controller. This guide should replace the guide provided in the box. For guidance on other compatible gate controllers, see Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor.

Important: The Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor is a monitoring device that is not intended for life safety use cases. For more information about use cases, see Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor - Use Cases. 

Equipment

Flex IO equipment.PNG

In the box:
  • Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor
  • Magnet
  • 4x AA 1.5V lithium batteries
  • 300 kΩ resistor (optional) 
Recommended tools and supplies (not included): 
  • Ghost Controls TSS1 Gate Controller
  • Power Supply 
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Zip ties (if used for mounting; up to 3 recommended: 2 for the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor and 1 for magnet)
  • #8 Phillips screws (if used for mounting; 4x)
  • Paper clip (to press the sensor's diagnostic button; see Cellular signal strength)
  • 18-22 AWG wire
  • ADC-FLEX-100-WRC Wire Retention Clip (optional)

Step 1: Determine location

Before installing your device, it is important to consider the following: 

  • Input and output wiring
  • Contact (reed switch) position
  • Mounting options
  • Cellular signal strength at location
Wiring 

Review the wiring diagram and consider the following.

  • The Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor must use either the magnet or a third-party wired contact sensor in order for the user to know the status of the gate (opened or closed). The Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor and magnet must be installed such that the sensor is closed when the gate is closed.
    • If you are using a wired contact sensor, make sure to check the event history to verify the state is being properly reported. If the state is not reporting properly, verify the Invert Activation State button in Equipment Settings is set properly. For more information about wiring a wired contact sensor, see Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor - Wired Contact (Loop Input) Installation Guide. 
 Gate Control TSS1 diagram.PNG
Contact (reed switch) position

The Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor and magnet must be installed such that the sensor is closed when the gate is closed. Alternatively, a third-party contact sensor could be wired to the loop input terminals on the Flex. 

To determine your installation orientation, consider the following:

  • Three separate reed switch positions are available.             
  • Only one reed switch position can be active at a time. You will select the reed switch position in Step 2.  
  • Use the tick marks on the sides of the device for guidance:
    • Position 1
    • Position 2
    • Position 3
  • The magnet should be positioned no more than 1.25 inches from the device.
 Flex IO position.PNG
Mounting options

Consider the following mounting requirements. For diagrams and more information, see Step 3: Mount the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor.

  • Using screws: Holes are located in the battery compartment.
  • Using zip ties: Use cutouts at the top and bottom of the device to make sure Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor is mounted flush to the installation surface. 

Important: A mounting tamper is located on the back of the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor. This tamper button must be fully pressed (until you hear a clicking sound) to avoid reporting a mounting tamper malfunction.

Cellular signal strength
Prior to mounting, check the cellular signal strength using the following steps.
  1. Using a screwdriver, remove the battery door and temporarily insert batteries. Leave the battery cover off. The device LED should now be active. 
  2. Hold the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor in the desired installation location.
  3. Using a paper clip, push the diagnostic button for 5 seconds, then release. The device LED should now be active.    
    • Tip: Don't have a paper clip? You can use the optional resistor included in the box.    
  4. Once diagnostic mode is initiated, the LED will display the cell signal strength in a continuous loop for 2 minutes based on the patterns below. It may take up to 30 seconds for the signal strength to be acquired. 
Flex io diagnostic button.PNG

As you move the device, any changes in signal strength will be displayed by updates to the LED pattern. Alarm.com recommends a signal strength of 2 bars or greater. 

Important: Once the cellular signal strength is sufficient, remove the batteries from the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor before adding it to a customer account.

Signal strength LED pattern LED visual
Signal strength pending  Solid red Solid red.png
0 bars Single red LED blink every 8 seconds             0 bars.PNG
1 bar  1 red LED blink, followed by 1 yellow LED blink 1 bar.PNG
2 bars  1 red LED blink, followed by 2 yellow LED blinks 2 bars.PNG
3 bars  1 red LED blink, followed by 3 yellow LED blinks 3 bars.PNG
4 bars 1 red LED blink, followed by 4 yellow LED blinks 4 bars.PNG
5 bars  1 red LED blink, followed by 5 yellow LED blinks 5 bars.PNG
6 bars  1 red LED blink, followed by 6 yellow LED blinks 6 bars.PNG

Step 3: Mount the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor

The Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor can be mounted using either screws or zip ties.

Using screws
  • Screw mounting holes are located in the battery compartment. To avoid damaging the batteries, it is recommended to remove them before installing screws.
  • Use two #8 Phillips screws to puncture the gasket and securely mount the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor. 
  • Take care not to over-torque the screws. Power tools should be avoided. If pilot holes are necessary, a drill bit size of 5/64'' is recommended.
Flex IO Mounting Screw Locations.PNG
Using zip ties 
  • Zip ties should have a maximum width of 0.34 inches. UV resistant zip ties are recommended. 
  • Use the zip tie grooves at the top and bottom of the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor to ensure a secure installation. The magnet also has a zip tie groove across the center.
Flex IO Zip Tie mounting.PNG
Mounting tamper

A mounting tamper is located on the back of the Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor. This tamper button must be fully pressed (until you hear a clicking sound) to avoid reporting a mounting tamper malfunction, as indicated by an alternating single Red and Yellow LED pattern. 

Important: An active mounting tamper will drain the battery. 

Flex IO tamper.PNG

Step 4: Wiring and Configuration 

Wiring 
  • Wire Flex C to Ghost Controls COM
  • Wire Flex R to Ghost Controls OPEN
  • Wire Flex G to Power Supply – (Negative)
  • Wire Flex V+ to Power Supply + (Positive)
  • Wire Flex L-L to the third-party contact sensor 
    • These terminals are used for hardwired sensors. Polarity does not matter for input loop wiring. 

Flex IO wiring overview.PNG

 Gate Control TSS1 diagram.PNG
Configuration

Configure auto-close on the Ghost Controls Control Box by following the instructions in the Ghost Control manual. 

Step 5: Insert the Batteries

Install the included batteries, close the battery compartment door, and tighten the screw securely.

Important: Make sure the battery door screw is securely tightened until the door tamper is no longer detected and then add an additional ¼ turn to the screw. This will also ensure a waterproof seal.

If this screw is not fully tightened, the LED will show a single red blink every 2 seconds. Be careful to not over-torque the screw. Power tools should be avoided.

Flex IO_image #1_diagnostic button-01.svg
Battery compatibility
  • Lithium batteries are required for this device. Under normal conditions, battery life is expected to be 2 years.
  • Any 1.5 V lithium battery should work. Alkaline batteries or any battery greater than 1.5 V (e.g., the Saft 3.6 V) should not be used.

Note: If batteries are not installed, a Low Battery trouble condition appears on the customer account. 

Step 6: Confirm Communication

Check LED

The device LED may cycle through a number of patterns as the device boots up and connects to a cell tower. If the LED continues to flash after 1 minute, check to make sure that the device does not have a tamper condition (review Step 3 and Step 4). 

If the device is not communicating with Alarm.com, see Advanced Troubleshooting Using MobileTech.

For more information about LED patterns, see Alarm.com Flex IO® sensor - LED Patterns and Troubleshooting.

Confirm Device Communication

You should see the gate on the Alarm.com Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website. Select the Open option to verify that the device is functioning correctly.

Confirm configuration settings

Confirm that the gate closes automatically after it is opened remotely. The Alarm.com Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website should show the gate as closed.