Recent content by JonR

OK - I checked my wiring and in fact I had the power wires switched around. I had the Yellow/Orange pair hooked up to VAUX instead of SAUX. Switched those around (and moved Red/Black to VAUX) and everything worked great. Thanks! JonR

I'm using the RRS-MOD, so I'm wired to the smoke power as well as the aux power. Perhaps I have them backwards - next time I'm out there I'll check. Thanks, Jon

I've got my smokes up and running, but whenever I've tested them I get a Fire Trouble that I'm unable to cancel except by power cycling the Elk control. Doing the smoke reset from the keypad doesn't work but when I cycle the power on the control everything comes up fine. I have 14 WTA-B on 3...

Thanks for the report on the Power Extender. I have a new home with several tube fixtures in a cove installation using Hi-Lume ballasts and all driven from one dimmer. I had done some research several months ago about how to control those lights, preferably with UPB, but came up empty. The rest...

I initially ran into resistance from the electrician and the city inspector when I explained that I wanted to use low-voltage smokes INSTEAD of line voltage in our new house. I read the code and got some pointers from the forums here, and after a few phone calls and providing some information to...

OK, I think I need to clarify. I only ran the FLPR wire to smokes, heat detectors, CO detectors, and keypads. I don't believe AHJ requires me to use the FLPR for keypads - I just ran it on the recommendation of the wiring guide and because I've got plenty of wire. If there is no real difference...

Yikes! No - I ran 18/4 fire-rated wire (the red stuff). JonR

From p. 19 of the 102 doc: "Run 18/4 Firewire to the areas where you will install security keypads. This is a code requirement in many areas." I was figuring it would keep the keypad "alive" longer in the case of a fire. Not that I'd be hanging around playing with the keypad if the house was...

Hi all, My big box of stuff from AO arrived and last night I started up the M1 on my table to prep for some bench testing. I ordered the Elk-M1DBH and I also took the advice of the Home Wiring 101 guide and ran 18 ga. FireWire to all my keypads in addition to Cat-5e. I'd prefer to run the...

I too will be paying attention to this thread. We will have an ERV in our new home that I'd like to be able to automate. For one, I'd like to be able to activate the ERV at full speed if any of the CO detectors go off. I also want to control the system based on outside temp/humidity and whether...

Having not put together my Elk order yet, are you saying I'll receive a bunch of EOLs automatically when I order my M1G panel and/or M1XIN? Also, I'm using 4-wire smokes but it looks like the same general guidelines will apply. Thanks, JonR

Hi all, I'm installing an Elk system in our new house (just about finished pulling wire) and we are not far from drywalling. I'm going to use sensors with built-in EOL resistors where possible, but in the cases where that's not an option does anyone have tips or suggestions about how to wire...

Thanks for the replies. I am in fact the one who was recently able to sell the inspector on the low-voltage smokes so I'm not going to risk it by using the 14/3 wire. We'll pull all of it out and I'll run the 18/4 Fire Wire. The electrical contractor wants written confirmation that the city...

Thanks for the info. I believe the wiring that's up there is 4-conductor but I know there are at least three. Another wrinkle is that the existing wiring is not run back to the panel so is it OK if I use 18 ga. to run from the panel to the first smoke and then use the 14 ga. that's already in...

My electrician ran wire for line-voltage smokes on the upper floor before I could get the inspector to approve my use of System Sensor 4-wire smokes. Now I either need to use the 14 ga. wire that's up there or rip it out and run the 18 ga. FireWire I've already purchased. Although the smoke...