HALE SECURITY PET DOOR CAT GUARDIAN patent pending The Cat Guardian is an electronics package that can be added to a Hale Pet Door door or wall model of at least 1 3 / 8 thick to allow dogs free passage through the door while keeping cats safely inside or unwanted animals outside. If you wish to install the Cat Guardian in a door or wall model that is narrower than 1 3 / 8, you would need to order an additional factory supplied buildout as an adaption to enable the unit to fit between the door frames. If you wish to install the Cat Guardian in one of our dual flap panel or window models, the actual pet door also needs to be replaced. Since the Cat Guardian can be ordered factory installed or added as a retrofit to existing pet doors or installed in some of our security barriers, we are providing various sets of installation instructions for each situation. NOTE: We only recommend using the battery pack as a temporary backup to the AC adapter due to short battery life. The optimum installation uses the AC adapter full-time but has the battery pack available and ready to plug in easily in case of a power outage. Please find the appropriate section below and follow those particular instructions. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL LOCAL BUILDING CODES WHEN INSTALLING ANY HALE SECURITY PET DOOR PRODUCT. If you have questions or need assistance, please call us toll free at 1-800-646-4773. Complete Kit includes: Cat Guardian alarm unit sensor and alarm board receptor board connecting wires AC adapter with 6' power cord Backup battery pack with 9 volt battery and connector optional Screws for attaching unit to sides of pet door frame ½ thick 1 ¼ wide plastic cover to hide exposed wires INSTALLATION AND TRAINING INSTRUCTIONS: Please read these instructions carefully and completely before attempting to install your Cat Guardian. Also see the illustration to the right and the various included photographs for placement information. Photos of our door and wall models are also included with suggested placement locations marked. To reach an experienced installer for free consultation, please call 1-800-646-4773. If you have questions or problems, please call us. Instructions for setting the delay options and training instructions for conditioning both your cat and dog are included after the installation sections.
Wall Model: To deter unwanted animals from coming inside, install Cat Guardian against the exterior pet door frame. Door Model: Install Cat Guardian into channel between interior and exterior pet door frames. (shown without flaps for visibility) Wall Model: To deter indoor cats from going outside, install Cat Guardian against the interior pet door frame. Below pictures show single frame only for visibility Bottom left: Cat Guardian transmitter unit shown in left side of door frame and AC adapter attached to front right corner installed in door frame. Bottom right: Cat Guardian receiver unit installed in right side of door frame with AC adapter connected to receptor wire. NOTE: Both pictures show bottom cover installed to hide wires for safety.
FACTORY INSTALLED DOOR OR WALL MODEL INSTALLATION: Step 1: When ordering a Cat Guardian at the same time as a pet door, the unit will be factory installed in the appropriate door frame (interior frame to keep cats inside or exterior frame to keep unwanted animals outside). NOTE: When using the AC adapter with a Cat Guardian equipped pet door installed in a people door, it should only be used with the wire running to the hinged side of the door. Step 2: When ordering the Cat Guardian factory installed with an AC adapter, you should have specified which side you wanted the cord to be on. The adapter plug wiring should be accessible through the appropriate bottom corner of the pet door. It will fit into the brush part of the nylon weather stripping and the GE Lexan security cover will have a corner notch to allow free passage of the wiring. The unit itself will be installed in the appropriate door frame for your application. In order to install the door model (or the wall model if the Cat Guardian is installed in the exterior frame to be used in keeping wild animals out), you will need to remove the screws holding the Cat Guardian in place. These screws have been cut off and ground down to the proper length so that they should not interfere with the installation of the pet door. Set these screws aside for later use. Step 3: Install the pet door in your door or wall following the instructions provided with your pet door. Additional step for wall model installations only: After determining exact tunnel length and securing pet door in wall, measure the location of the Cat Guardian unit and mark this on the carpet that will line the tunnel. Cut away the carpet with a sharp razor blade or Exacto knife and install as normal. Step 4: Using the screws reserved in step 2 above, reinstall the Cat Guardian unit in the same location from which it was removed, being sure to install the wired unit on the same side from which it was removed. Step 5: Run the small adapter wire outside the pet door through the nylon pile weather stripping and attach the AC adapter unit. You can run the wiring along the top of a baseboard for a wall installation or along the edge of a door frame for a door installation and secure with wire clips or guides if desired. If you have carpeting, you may wish to run the wiring along the edge of the carpet out of sight. If you have tile, hardwood or some other hard surface flooring, you may run the wiring in either of these locations again following any local building codes. Plug into an electrical outlet. Turn the power switch to the on position. The green LED power light should illuminate. Set the delay switch to your desired setting. (either one second or zero seconds see below for details) Step 6: Test the unit by blocking the lower beam while leaving the top beam unbroken. The alarm should sound. Then break both beams by pushing the flap open further and covering both sensors or receptors at the same time. The alarm should not sound. Optional Step 7: If you purchased the optional battery pack, as a test, unplug the AC adapter and plug in the emergency 9 volt battery pack unit. Test the unit again as stated above in step 6. Optional Step 8: Remove the battery pack and store it and the connector in an easy to find and easy to remember location. Should you ever suffer a power outage, simply disconnect the 6 foot power cord and AC adapter at the connection point and plug in the battery pack in its place. NOTE: Due to short battery life, we only recommend using the battery as an emergency backup and not a full time power source. Plug the AC adapter back into the unit. Step 9: Place the plastic cover over the wires in the bottom of the pet door and screw into place being careful to avoid screwing through any wires. Your installation is now complete. However, your pets will need to be conditioned to the pet door and the alarm for the effective use of the Cat Guardian. Please follow our training instructions at the end of the installation instructions. This is a critical step for successful use of the Cat Guardian. If you need any assistance with training or conditioning, please call us toll free at 800-646-4773 for further assistance. RETROFIT DOOR OR WALL MODEL INSTALLATION: Step 1: Decide on the proper placement for your Cat Guardian. If you are installing into an existing door model, it should fit into the inside track formed by the two frames of the pet door. If you are installing into a wall model, it should be placed just inside of the inside flap of the pet door. (NOTE: If you are using the Cat Guardian to deter unwanted animals, install it just inside the exterior flap of the pet door instead.) When installed correctly the unit should be virtually invisible from the exterior and not interfere with the pet door flap movement.
The large sensor and alarm board has two clear LED receptors, a small hole near the bottom for the alarm siren, a power switch, a delay switch, a green LED power indicator and a power source connector at the bottom edge of the board. This board should be placed at the bottom of one of the pet door channels leaving room for the wire at the bottom of the board to move freely. The transmitter board (with two blue LED transmitters) should be placed in the channel on the opposite side of the pet door. Additional step for wall model installations only: After determining placement of boards, cut away the carpet lining the tunnel with a sharp razor blade or Exacto knife. Step 2: Using supplied drill bit, drill the holes for the large sensor and alarm pack. Attach the receptor unit making sure the wiring is on the desired side of the pet door. Insert screws and tighten into place. Repeat on the opposite side of the pet door to install the transmitter unit. Make sure the LED receptors and transmitters are directly lined up with each other. Step 3: Run the small adapter wire outside the pet door through the nylon pile weather stripping and attach the AC adapter unit. You can run the wiring along the top of a baseboard for a wall installation or along the edge of a door frame for a door installation and secure with wire clips or guides if desired. If you have carpeting, you may wish to run the wiring in the edge of the carpet out of sight. If you have tile, hardwood or some other hard surface flooring, you may run the wiring in either of these locations again following any local building codes. Plug into an electrical outlet. Turn the power switch to the on position. The green LED power light should illuminate. Set the delay switch to your desired setting. (either one second or zero seconds see below for details) Additional step for wall model installations for wild animal deterrent only: When the Cat Guardian is used for deterring wild animals from using the pet door it is installed in the exterior frame instead of the interior frame. On a door model these are in the same basic location but on a wall model they can be several inches apart. In this case, you may either plug the unit into an exterior power outlet (take into consideration exposure to the elements) or you may need to run the wire back through the tunnel to reach the interior wall and plug-in. You have several options for this. The preferred method of installation is to run the power cord underneath the carpet through the tunnel. You may remove the carpet, run the wire along the edge and reinstall the carpet. However, depending on the adhesive used to attach the carpet to the tunnel, this may be challenging. A good way to run the wire is to carefully use a ruler, a wooden dowel or some other long, straight instrument along the very bottom corner of the pet door between the tunnel and the carpet. Use this as a guide and snake your wire through then attach as normal. If you cannot place the wire under the carpeting, it may be run on top of the carpet with small wire or cable clips to hold the wire in place. This is not the preferred method of installation as the animals could reach the cord but it is an option. Step 4: Test the unit by blocking the lower beam while leaving the top beam unbroken. The alarm should sound. Then break both beams by pushing the flap open further and covering both sensors or receptors at the same time. The alarm should not sound. Optional Step 5: If you purchased the optional battery pack, as a test, unplug the AC adapter and plug in the emergency 9 volt battery pack unit. Test the unit again as stated above in step 4. Optional Step 6: Remove the battery pack and store it and the connector in an easy to find and easy to remember location. Should you ever suffer a power outage, simply disconnect the 6 foot power cord and AC adapter at the connection point and plug in the battery pack in its place. NOTE: Due to short battery life, we only recommend using the battery as an emergency backup and not a full time power source. Plug the AC adapter back into the unit. Step 7: Place the plastic cover over the wires in the bottom of the pet door and screw into place being careful to avoid screwing through any wires. Step 8: Cut off the bottom corner of the cover corresponding to the side where the power cord comes through the flap. Make a 1 ¾ diagonal cut with a hacksaw. (see drawing) This should leave an approximately 1/8 hole when your security cover is placed in the track. We recommend cutting off both corners. Then if the security cover is accidentally placed in the track backwards, the cover will not cut the power cord of the Cat Guardian. Your installation is now complete. However, your pets will need to be conditioned to the pet door and the alarm for the effective use of the Cat Guardian. Please follow our training instructions at the end of the installation instructions. This is a critical step for successful use of the Cat Guardian. If you need any assistance with training or conditioning, please call us toll free at 800-646-4773 for further assistance. Cut off the bottom corners to allow safe passage of your power cord. 1 ¾
CAT GUARDIAN INSTALLATION INTO DOUBLE PANE WINDOW OR PANEL MODELS: Because the pet door that comes installed in our panel and window models has been modified to have a narrower frame, the Cat Guardian unit cannot be retrofit into an existing door. However, the pet door itself can be replaced with our standard door model with a buildout and a Cat Guardian unit factory installed. Remove the existing pet door by unscrewing the screws between the flaps which hold the frame together. Install the new pet door and buildout using the instructions included with the pet door. Then follow the above instructions for factory installed installations. CAT GUARDIAN INSTALLATION INTO THE SECURITY DOG HOUSE BARRIER (or other pre-owned dog house) The Cat Guardian unit can be installed into the Hale Security Pet Door Security Dog House and Barrier to prevent unwanted animals from entering the dog house and accessing the pet door. The Cat Guardian option requires an exterior door frame and flap for installation in the dog house. Most of these units would be factory installed. However, if you initially purchased your Security Dog House without the Cat Guardian option or if you have another brand of dog house that you would like to add a Cat Guardian to, follow the above instructions for retrofit mounting of a Cat Guardian in a door model. After the exterior frame is mounted in the dog house wall, attach the Cat Guardian as usual. Run the wiring to an appropriate indoor or outdoor outlet depending on your logistics and local building codes. OPTIONAL INSTALLATION OF LOUDER ALARM SIREN: Many installations such as wall models, security barriers, etc. can have the optional louder alarm siren installed. This will not work for a door installation as there is not enough room between the frames for the siren unit itself. If you choose the exterior siren as an option when ordering your Cat Guardian it is hard-wired into the top of the receptor board. Using the supplied screws, mount the siren unit above the Cat Guardian boards. If you have a wall model, it is recommended that you mount it in the top of the tunnel. If you have a dog house or other barrier, it is recommended that you install it above the unit where the animal cannot easily reach it. CAT GUARDIAN INSTALLATION INTO THE STANDARD SECURITY BARRIER The Cat Guardian unit can be installed into the Hale Security Pet Door Standard Security Barrier to prevent unwanted animals from approaching and entering the pet door. The Cat Guardian option would usually be factory installed. However, if you initially purchased your Security Barrier without the Cat Guardian option, you may retrofit one to your barrier. When ordering your Cat Guardian, you should have specified the height of your barrier as the Cat Guardian unit is custom made to fit. Place the receptor side of the Cat Guardian unit (the side with the plug in wire and power switches) behind the steel tube nearest the house wall. Mark the appropriate locations and drill holes into the top and bottom cross beams. Using the supplied screws, secure the unit to the barrier through the top and bottom cross bars. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side of the barrier for the transmitter unit. Be sure you are placing the transmitter unit on the steel tube at the outside of the barrier and not the movable tube in the center of the barrier. Carefully run the connecting wire along the top of the bottom cross bar and cover with the supplied plastic cap. Taking care not to drill or screw through the wire, screw the cap into the crossbar. Depending on local building codes and your individual logistics, the Cat Guardian may be plugged into an exterior outlet near the barrier or threaded through the barrier and the pet door and plugged into an interior outlet. Use caution with either option taking into consideration animal safety, electrical safety, etc. DELAY OPTION: The Cat Guardian comes with a switch for an optional delay. When the switch is pushed up, there should be no delay in the alarm sounding when the bottom beam is broken and the top beam isn t. When the switch is pushed down, there should be a one second delay in the alarm sounding when the bottom beam is broken and the top beam isn t. If you have a timid dog, you may wish to set the delay to one second to prevent the alarm sounding before he is completely through the door. If you have an aggressive cat, you may wish to set the delay to zero seconds to cause the alarm to sound immediately upon the cat attempting to use the pet door. Experiment with your pets and the delay to see which option works best for your particular situation.
CONDITIONING YOUR PETS TO USE THE CAT GUARDIAN Just as with other animal behaviors like training an animal to use a litter box or teaching a cat to stay off the countertop, the Cat Guardian alarm unit will only be effective when the responsible pet owner takes the time necessary to teach the animals the appropriate use or nonuse of the pet door. The Cat Guardian alarm unit is most effective when all your animals are conditioned to its use, both those that are allowed to use the pet door and those that aren t. This conditioning against escape will take a little time on your part, but it will mean the difference between successful implementation and operation of the Cat Guardian or possible failure. The Cat Guardian can be set with an optional delay for use depending on your animals various personalities and experimentation may be necessary to determine which configuration works best for all your animals. For details, see above. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PETS: First, keep all pets away from the pet door. Make sure the alarm is turned on. To test this, plug in the alarm unit to an outlet and cover the bottom LED transmitter with your hand taking care not to block the top transmitter or receptor. The alarm should sound. NOTE: IN THIS SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS WE DID NOT HIDE THE ELECTRICAL CORD SO THAT YOU COULD SEE WHERE IT EXITED THE PET DOOR AND PLUGGED INTO THE WALL. FOR SAFETY AND AESTHETIC REASONS WE RECOMMEND TACKING DOWN THE CORD BELOW THE PET DOOR AND RUNNING IT ALONG YOUR BASEBOARD OR UNDER THE EDGE OF CARPET UNTIL IT REACHES THE OUTLET. Bring your cats (one at a time) to the pet door. In order to show the cat that the door has an alarm, hold them carefully with one hand and set off the alarm with your other hand. This should startle the cat and condition them to avoid the area. Repeat if necessary then let the cat go. If you have more than one cat, repeat this process with each cat. After all the cats have been introduced to the pet door, turn the alarm off to allow your dog or dogs the opportunity to get used to using the pet door. (NOTE: If this is a retrofit installation, your dog may not need this step.) Once all the animals have been trained, turn the alarm on. You can now enjoy the confidence you have in knowing that your cats will not want to use the pet door to go outside. Check the unit occasionally to make sure it is operating as intended. NOTE: If you are using the Cat Guardian to keep unwanted animals out of your house, please also take the added precaution of keeping all food and water away from the vicinity of the pet door both inside and outside the house. This would include feeding any other animals such as birds, squirrels or raccoons.