Best Practices for Installing ELK-M1XRF2G?

[BryanE]

What are some of the best practices when mounting the M1XRF2G? For example, is it better to mount it in an attic, mid level, or basement? Can it be mounted horizontal with the antennas facing left/right? How much will this affect range? How much range do the GE wireless keyfobs have?

 

[Digger]

I would mount it mid level on a wall so the antennas are vertical. Inside a closet etc would be fine.

While range is relative to a lot of variables I have gotten several hundred feet on keyfobs.

 

[Kevin L]

I mounted mine in the attic with the antennas vertical. I don't have keyfobs, but my house is 65' wide, concrete block with stucco, and all the wireless contacts I have outside work fine (they're on the pool cage doors, pool closet door, generator door).

HTH,
Kevin

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

In most houses, since the range is so good, the most important thing is to mount it somewhere out of site of the wife!

 

[Kevin L]

In most houses, since the range is so good, the most important thing is to mount it somewhere out of site of the wife!

Ha ha. Good point, Martin. It's not the most attractive decorative item!

 

[inline]

Mine was in the basement originally and worked fine, however with all the other equipment down there, I thought it would be better on the first floor. I found that our kitchen cabinets had a "dead" panel piece near the corner of the wall (ie, door didn't open, just decorative trim) and when I measured I found it was more than large enough, so I poked a hole and routed the cable down to the basement. A picture would probably show it better than I can describe it...I'll try to post one later when I'm home, but anyway, it's on the first floor and completely hidden from view. Antenna's are mounted on the top and bottom of the unit and oriented vertically.

 

[Photon]

I use mine exclusively for access fobs, so I mounted it in the attic gable over the garage doors. I doubt this falls within the realm of a Best Practice though, as it gets rather warm up there. I monitor the temp, and it stays below the max specified, 120 deg F. I plan to move it to an interior closet one of these days, just for one less thing to worry about.

 

[inline]

Here's the picture I promised...basically it's just mounted in the dead space behind that one false cabinet, so I mounted the ELK wireless receiver there...it's out of the way, no one knows it's there and it gives good coverage instead of being in the basement.

 

[BryanE]

Thanks for all the great ideas and advice!