Elk M1 - I'm overwhelmed

[MikeB]

OK, I know it's late here on the east coast, but I decided to finally crack open my Elk M1 kit and man - am I overwhelmed. Looking through the manual, I'm completely lost on how to... well... do anything.

Is there an "Elk For Dummies" page somewhere that might get me started?

I'm looking to hook the Elk M1 up on my test bench first, get familiar with it, then tackle replacing my DSC security system. I have the main panel, the ethernet module, transformer, siren, 2 keypads, motion sensor, etc... to get me going. But I have no clue where to start, and the manual seems more geared towards someone who knows what they're doing.

Here are a few pics of my existing DSC setup:

http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc1.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc1b.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc2.jpg


So, before I dig myself too deep in a hole - can anyone suggestion anything to get me going?


Thanks!!

 

[Digger]

OK, I know it's late here on the east coast, but I decided to finally crack open my Elk M1 kit and man - am I overwhelmed. Looking through the manual, I'm completely lost on how to... well... do anything.

Is there an "Elk For Dummies" page somewhere that might get me started?

I'm looking to hook the Elk M1 up on my test bench first, get familiar with it, then tackle replacing my DSC security system. I have the main panel, the ethernet module, transformer, siren, 2 keypads, motion sensor, etc... to get me going. But I have no clue where to start, and the manual seems more geared towards someone who knows what they're doing.

Here are a few pics of my existing DSC setup:

http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc1.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc1b.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc2.jpg


So, before I dig myself too deep in a hole - can anyone suggestion anything to get me going?


Thanks!!

MIke,

Take a deep breath, relax, and take it step by step. I know I dont know you that well but from what I can tell you are a very smart guy. You can do this and after a few hours or days you will be flying through this. Its not that bad at all.

I will gladly try and help you with the ELK. I not an expert but I know it fairly well. I bet in a few months you will tell me things I dont know about it.

 

[Digger]

OK, I know it's late here on the east coast, but I decided to finally crack open my Elk M1 kit and man - am I overwhelmed. Looking through the manual, I'm completely lost on how to... well... do anything.

Is there an "Elk For Dummies" page somewhere that might get me started?

I'm looking to hook the Elk M1 up on my test bench first, get familiar with it, then tackle replacing my DSC security system. I have the main panel, the ethernet module, transformer, siren, 2 keypads, motion sensor, etc... to get me going. But I have no clue where to start, and the manual seems more geared towards someone who knows what they're doing.

Here are a few pics of my existing DSC setup:

http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc1.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc1b.jpg
http://www.techav.com/pics/dsc2.jpg


So, before I dig myself too deep in a hole - can anyone suggestion anything to get me going?


Thanks!!

I only have a few minutes but try these things to get you started

On the left side of the ELK the two upper left terminal blocks are your 16 zones.

The bottom left terminal block is most of your power connections

Starting with the power hook your AC transformer to the lower two connection of the terminal block

The next 3 sets of terminals are aux power for motions, CO, glassbreaks etc. The top two are your smoke detector power

On the lower right side is your keypad buss connection (all 4 wire device go there such as zone expanders etc) DO NOT CONNECT AN EARTH GROUND to the lowest pin on the terminal block.

Next terminal block up is your outputs Out 1 and 2 are sirens and 3 is a dry contact relay. You wont need the relay at first.

Upper right is your telco for central station etc if you use it

Letme know if this is two basic.

 

[Steve]

Start here.

It's really simple, don't get overwhelmed. Just take it 1 step at a time.

10,000,000 foot view...

Keypads and all 'modules' like input, output, serial, etc wire to the RS485 bus. For a simple bench test you can just hook the keypad direct to the bus on lower right of bus +, A, B, -. To install, consider either a retrofit hub (if using /4 wire), or a data bus hub (if running Cat5). You can hookup just the keypad and power up to start, then add expansion modules.

Contacts, Motions, etc hookup to the zones (on left side of panel) or XIN modules. Contacts go to Common and usually N/C (normally closed). Motions are same plus they have 2 extra wires for power (connect to Vaux).

Put a resistor on Output 2 because its supervised. Speaker/siren can go on Output1.

Connect serial cable to serial port and pc/laptop to run ElkRP and configure. Get a little comfortable, then hookup ethernet (XEP) to the serial on panel.

But the videos are pretty good and should go into more detail...

But you need to get a handle on the DSC mess - ID where each wire goes and label it so when you disconnect the DSC you know where to attach them in the Elk. Free free to ask ?'s as you go along...

Edit: Digger types faster than me Speaking of - Digger - can you do me a big favor? Please don't quote every post when you reply when your reply flows in logical order or quoting entire post. It just makes it tougher to scroll through everything. No problem, just a friendly request.

 

[Helheim]

I felt the same way when I got all my ELK stuff. I just watched the videos Steve mentioned, read the Elk manual, and got a lot of help from the people on here. I still have a lot of work to do on mine but here are some pics of my installation so far as I know looking at how others, aka Steve & Dan, installed their stuff sure helped me.

PICS

 

[Digger]

Steve,

Sorry bad habit

Notice I didnt do it this time but I cant swear 100% of the itme I wont

Mike will do fine once he gets on a roll. If he can get his INsteon up and running flawlessly he can get an ELK going!

 

[snickster]

Mike ,
Thanks for asking the very same question I was very close to asking.
I'm in the process of construction of a new home and have just ordered the M1 Gold system and am trying to calculate what and how much wire to order. No experience here at all with this type system.
Hoping to get up to speed as fast as possible.
Good luck !

 

[HighTest]

The other place to start is here: http://m1dealer.elkproducts.com

Register yourself and your Elk M1G. You'll get a login so that you have access to the latest firmware and ElkRP software. In addition, there are several "training" videos on the Elk Dealer site as well. Can't link them as you have to be registered to receive access. There's also a support forum available.

Cocoontech is the best in my opinion though. With the combination of the two, you'll become an Elk Pro in no time at all.

 

[AnotherOne]

Alright, now the fun begins

Get the manual and hook up onekeypad and the speaker and the battery.

Enroll the keypad.
Install ElkRP on a computer.
Plug the computer serial port into the ELk's serial port and set the baud rate (see manual).
Enable zone 1.
Arm the system
Short zone one with a bit of wire.
Play with Elk RP
Figure out what everything is in your current system.
Remove the terminal blocks from you M1 and move the wires from your current system to the terminal block(s).
Now put your M1 into the box and use ElkRp to set it up.
Play with it some more....

 

[tyler electric]

Alright, now the fun begins

Get the manual and hook up onekeypad and the speaker and the battery.

Enroll the keypad.
Install ElkRP on a computer.
Plug the computer serial port into the ELk's serial port and set the baud rate (see manual).
Enable zone 1.
Arm the system
Short zone one with a bit of wire.
Play with Elk RP
Figure out what everything is in your current system.
Remove the terminal blocks from you M1 and move the wires from your current system to the terminal block(s).
Now put your M1 into the box and use ElkRp to set it up.
Play with it some more....

Mike,

Just read through the setup manual and you will have it going in no time. It's actually not that bad at all. Do you have an XEP? i know you have an ISY and integrating it with the M1 gives you a nice setup.

My SO was blown away the first evening she came home and opened the front door which triggers now triggers a lighting scene via an elk rule and turns on the front room lights.

Motion detectors to turn on lights are also easy to setup. I've barely had time to do much more but am trying to setup the ELKRM software now.

Ron

 

[Photon]

I plan to embark on the Elk journey after a January vacation, and I've been following this forum for quite a while. I think it is the main reason I decided to go with Elk instead of DSC or Caddx. People are knowledgeable, friendly, and the board is even frequented by the people who design and build the Elk. For now I have a couple ideas for you.

1. I always have a highlighter and a pack of Post-It notes nearby when I read through the Elk manuals. It seems like there are a million little details to take care of, such as installing a resistor on Output 2 as Steve mentioned above, which I might otherwise forget when I start my hookup, except the statement is now bright yellow in my manual.

2. When you get the hardware wired and tested and want to write some rules, check out http://www.elkproducts.com/support/M1_Appl...ionexamples.htm for some examples. Even if you don't want to do exactly what is listed at this Elk site, it looks like the ideas presented are helpful for other things.

 

[123]

Start here.
...

Steve's right ... start with the video tutorials. Read the manual ... at least twice. Use this forum's Search function (liberally) to research the gray areas.

Benchtesting is a great idea! Dive into it and, when you get stuck, we'll be here to help you.

Good luck!

FYI
I also replaced my old DSC system with an Elk M1 but I skipped the benchtest phase. One approach is to implement the system in easy-to-debug phases. I initially programmed the M1 using a keypad ... it builds character . The XEP, exterior siren, strobe, and relays came online well after I had the system working with just two keypads and the internal speakers. The third keypad is still on the todo list.

 

[me2]

Hi MikeB,

First let me say, "I love my ELK". I got my Elk 8 months ago. My first ever alarm system and attemp at HA. I didn't know anything when I opened the box but I am pretty good at following pictures. So I hooked up everything like the pictures on the first couple of pages in the manual. Then powered it up. Down loaded the ucode upgrades and POOF it all worked! Has been ever since. The Elk is one of the only things I have had in my life that worked right out of the box!

 

[MikeB]

Hey guys -

Haven't had much time to play, but I do have it on my bench, AC wired in, motion wired in, keypad wired in, IP address set (yes I do have the ethernet module), and all firmware updated.

I haven't watched any of the videos or checked the links posted here yet, but I should get to play more this week sometime.

Thanks again for the tips, and I'll be posting an update soon I'm sure!

 

[CORT]

You definitely need to watch the Elk M1 videos online. Keep in mind that the M1 is in some ways a fancy volt meter with a computer attached. You've got to tackle both the hardware and software sides of this instrument. Get familiar with how to connect various sensors to the system and communicate with it via the computer before you even think of installing it. Don't underestimate the time that you will need to set it up correctly. I've had my system up and running several for months and continue to tweak it. The M1 is a powerful system and it takes a while to unleash its power. Good luck.