Cabinet sizing

[dublin00]

I'm looking to buy an M1-Gold system, but I'm having a difficult time figuring out the proper cabinet size. The standard packages come with a 14" cabinet, but it is obvious to me that it won't hold very many add-on modules.

For my configuration I'll have 35 hard-wired sensors, 2 motion sensors, plus smoke detectors (both kinds) so I would like to add two 16-input expanion boards.

On top of that I'd like to automate HVAC, Lighting, my Pool Controller (Jandy type through a AquaLink PC adapter), and maybe my home theater (RS-232C). All of these will require an ELK-M1XSP (at least four in the cabinet though the HVAC one could be remote).

Then I'd like to add the ELK-M1XEP ethernet module too and maybe space for a databus hub module to help with the wiring.

And I still need to leave space for the battery, transformer, and a power outlet.

This makes me wonder if the 28" cabinet will leave enough space. I'd like to leave space for another add-on down the road just in case I want to add something.

 

[Spanky]

You can get alot of stuff in a 28" Box. If you think it is too small, look into the larger OnQ, Channel Vision, etc... boxes. Drill two holes and use the shoulder screws to mount the M1 in a larger box without the holes predrilled.

Also consider using two boxes, maybe a 28" and 14".

Some installations just use a big piece of plywood in a utility room and mount the devices to the plywood. Use the 1 1/2 inch wire race track to make the wiring neat. You will save alot of money on metal boxes this way and it is easy to work on.

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

We also have 50" boxes if you feel the need.... http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...7&cat=90&page=2

 

[WayneW]

Is there a list or gauge anyplace to tell us newbies how much "should" fit in a 14" or 28" box? Or do we learn the hard way when our toys don't fit and we need to wait for another shipment?

 

[rocco]

I always learn the hard way, myself.

 

[Chakara]

I always learn the hard way, myself.

There is an easy way?

 

[electron]

I have the 50", and still not enough No such thing as too much space!

 

[WayneW]

But you have more than Elk stuff in there. Does Elk have a sizing guide? I will have multiple add on cards eventually & I would like to know if I should add a second cabinet or go to a larger cabinet before I spend too much time/effort on this one.

 

[frankdr]

Here's what I did - I have a Leviton 42" and the standard M1 cabinet mounted next to each other (vertical) I ran all the alarm items into the Elk box and all the telecom and spare cables to the Leviton box. I connected the boxes together with some flexible conduit and ran several cat5 cables between them.
My plan is that if I need more items than I can fit in the Elk cabinet, I can put them in the Leviton cabinet. I also have some pull strings between the Leviton cabinet and the attic. With this I can put spare wires into either cabinet.
I would have gone with more or larger cabinets, but I was space limited and those two took up all the space I had.

So far I've got 22 alarm contacts, 9 other cat 5 alarms items, 52 cat5 voice/data and 15 Rg-6 video cables. I'm just now finishing the rough-in on the house (new construction) I can only imagine what an installer would charge for this - Glad I did it myself

_Frank

 

[electron]

I did the exact same thing (check my sig for a link to my pics). I actually have my Elk M1 powersupply in my 50" cabinet (mounted next to my smaller Elk M1 EZ8 cabinet), but I want to keep everything alarm related in my Elk cabinet since it has a lock.

 

[WayneW]

No pics of your Elk or its cabinet! Where do I get that invisible wire?

 

[electron]

hmm, must have deleted that link to my online gallery, duh!

http://www.mydotsoft.com/products/my.Galle...um=nHome&page=4

Those pictures are outdated, but give you an idea of how fast you can run out of space But I still say the more space, the better, especially if you are going to finish your walls.

 

[WayneW]

I assume that is your serial port attached to the EZ8 via the green cat5, since I now know that the EZ8 doesn't include a serial port by default. What is the gray cable (small RJ) for? Have they changed the serial interface? The Elk docs show a DB9 connector for serial and the RS-232 & RS-485 connections are terminal strips, not jacks.

 

[electron]

The gray cable goes to the PSC05.

Dublin00 (BTW, welcome to Cocoontech!), if you can afford it, you might want to upgrade the cabinet. The more I think about it, the less I am convinced that it will be enough once you add all the accessories.

 

[Steve]

I was thinking about using some of these 14" cabinets wall mounted next to each other with the knockouts lined up. The defect is simply that the 3 keyhole slots at the top are upside down. Seems like a good deal at $11.50 and they have around 200 left.

Martin: Do you have the ELK-SWCL3 cam locks for them?