I've been lurking for a while and decided to fianlly post up. I've been putting together a parts list for a system that I'm going to be building after Christmas. I want to get the main panel installed along with door/window contacts and motion sensors for a basic security system and then build onto it from there.
My house is a log home and all exterior walls are 12" thick solid wood, so running wired sensors to the doors and windows is near impossible. Anything on the exterior walls will have to be wireless, everyting else will be wired back to the panel.
Also, with log walls and tongue/groove, white sensors stick out like a sore thumb.
I've done quite a bit of reading here and other places online but I still have a few questions:
1) Honeywell vs GE. I realize this is like Ford vs Chevy, but with my specific needs which one would be better. (ie. available in brown or paintable, able to broadcast through solid wood). Is there a reason that AutomatedOutlet.com doesnt sell the M1XRF2H Honeywell receiver, but carries the GE receiver.
2) I really like the plunger type sensors and the mirca sensors, but I wonder if I'll be able to get any kind of range with them as I will have to drill through the door frame and into the log for the antennae. I believe the antennae is made to be fed into a stud space not a solid log.
3) If plunger/micra sensors are not going to work... which wireless surface mount sensors are most people using?
4) I see some sensors are available in brown. Is it possible to paint sensors?
5) Should the panel be wired on it's own electrical circuit or can I just jump off of a nearby junction box for power.
6) What is the difference between the M1KP keypad and the M1KP2 keypad. Which is better?
Below is my shopping list so far. I still need to add a wireless receiver and some sensors. Anything else that I'm missing for a basic install?
- ELK-M1GK Elk M1G (Gold) Kit - Control, Transformer, M1KP Keypad, Battery, Speaker, RJ31X Jack & Cord (Qty 1)
- ELK-M1XEP Elk Ethernet Port from Data Bus Expander/Interface (Qty 1)
- ELK-M1DBH Elk Data Bus Hub (Qty 1)
- ELK-SWB28 Elk Structured Wiring Box 28" x 14" w/Door & Camlock (Qty 1)
- ELK-SP12F Elk Speaker- Flush mount, 12W, 32 Ohm (Qty 4)
- ELK-SWS Elk Structured Wiring Battery Shelf (Qty 1)
- ELK-950 Elk Telephone & Low Voltage Surge Suppressor (Qty 1)
Thanks!
- Steve
My house is a log home and all exterior walls are 12" thick solid wood, so running wired sensors to the doors and windows is near impossible. Anything on the exterior walls will have to be wireless, everyting else will be wired back to the panel.
Also, with log walls and tongue/groove, white sensors stick out like a sore thumb.
I've done quite a bit of reading here and other places online but I still have a few questions:
1) Honeywell vs GE. I realize this is like Ford vs Chevy, but with my specific needs which one would be better. (ie. available in brown or paintable, able to broadcast through solid wood). Is there a reason that AutomatedOutlet.com doesnt sell the M1XRF2H Honeywell receiver, but carries the GE receiver.
2) I really like the plunger type sensors and the mirca sensors, but I wonder if I'll be able to get any kind of range with them as I will have to drill through the door frame and into the log for the antennae. I believe the antennae is made to be fed into a stud space not a solid log.
3) If plunger/micra sensors are not going to work... which wireless surface mount sensors are most people using?
4) I see some sensors are available in brown. Is it possible to paint sensors?
5) Should the panel be wired on it's own electrical circuit or can I just jump off of a nearby junction box for power.
6) What is the difference between the M1KP keypad and the M1KP2 keypad. Which is better?
Below is my shopping list so far. I still need to add a wireless receiver and some sensors. Anything else that I'm missing for a basic install?
- ELK-M1GK Elk M1G (Gold) Kit - Control, Transformer, M1KP Keypad, Battery, Speaker, RJ31X Jack & Cord (Qty 1)
- ELK-M1XEP Elk Ethernet Port from Data Bus Expander/Interface (Qty 1)
- ELK-M1DBH Elk Data Bus Hub (Qty 1)
- ELK-SWB28 Elk Structured Wiring Box 28" x 14" w/Door & Camlock (Qty 1)
- ELK-SP12F Elk Speaker- Flush mount, 12W, 32 Ohm (Qty 4)
- ELK-SWS Elk Structured Wiring Battery Shelf (Qty 1)
- ELK-950 Elk Telephone & Low Voltage Surge Suppressor (Qty 1)
Thanks!
- Steve