ELK M1G, a couple questions

[42etus]

I'm getting ready to place the order for my hardware and want to be sure that I haven't missed something.

Question #1
I want to control existing flood lights on several out buildings with the M1G. It seems that X10 would do this nicely. What do I need for the M1G to control X10 modules? Are there better options?

Question #2
I have cat 5e going to my shop, ~150' from the house. One pair is POTS. Two pairs will be for the RS-485 bus to a M1KP keypad, leaving one unused pair. I want the M1G to make voice announcements in the shop. Can I run a speaker over the last pair in the cat5 cable? My guess is No, since it’s 24 gauge. If not, what do I need to get a speaker output from the RS-485 bus at the keypad?

Paul

 

[Quixote_1]

Not sure about your second question, but if I were you I would go with Insteon instead of X10. It's a lot more stable, reliable and has some added features that would make it worthwhile. You'll also be able to trigger tasks on your Elk using a lightswitch from what I understand.

 

[Lagerhead]

What do I need for the M1G to control X10 modules? Are there better options?

Even though it is old technology X10 works great for me. I use a PSC05 module.

As for Insteon, I would use literally anything else (UPB, Zigbee, etc.) before buying anything from SmartHome. Check other threads on Cocoontech before you buy any Insteon.

Can I run a speaker over the last pair in the cat5 cable?

Why not try it with a small amplifier. Maybe also measure the loss (resistance) of the pair over the distance so you have an idea of the total resulting load.

If not, what do I need to get a speaker output from the RS-485 bus at the keypad?

The keypad gives you an input zone and an output, but it will not provide audio.

 

[Digger]

What do I need for the M1G to control X10 modules? Are there better options?

Even though it is old technology X10 works great for me. I use a PSC05 module.

As for Insteon, I would use literally anything else (UPB, Zigbee, etc.) before buying anything from SmartHome. Check other threads on Cocoontech before you buy any Insteon.

Can I run a speaker over the last pair in the cat5 cable?

Why not try it with a small amplifier. Maybe also measure the loss (resistance) of the pair over the distance so you have an idea of the total resulting load.

If not, what do I need to get a speaker output from the RS-485 bus at the keypad?

The keypad gives you an input zone and an output, but it will not provide audio.

I agree with Lagerhead.

If you look through the Smarthome forums for the past few months there are still people complaining of quality issues resulting in hardware failures across several threads (and the SH Moderator still denying that there are issues). While things may have improved a little with Insteon it does not appear that they have addressed all of their problems. Also look at the comments about SH customer service (still little if any improvement there). Look for yourself though as maybe these issues will not affect your decision.

X-10, UPB, Zwave etc. all have better track records (none perfect).

 

[Quixote_1]

While Insteon does have it's issues (mainly the fact that you will need multiple filters on devices around your home to eliminate noise from your power-line), it's been my experience that Smarthome has always tried to right any problems that I've had with any of their products. I've had only a few problems, and most of them stemmed from using a PLC on my computer, which was complete garbage. Now with the ISY and a PLM everything is great. I have not even once had my lights come on by their own accord as I used to regularly with x10.

I'm quite certain that the most vocal people online are not the satisfied customers, but the ones that are complaining. Take everything you read with a grain of salt.

 

[Digger]

I agree the cost of filters should be figured into the comparision to other protocals. I think that the failure rates that people are seeing are still a major concern.

 

[johnboy70_99]

While Insteon does have it's issues (mainly the fact that you will need multiple filters on devices around your home to eliminate noise from your power-line), it's been my experience that Smarthome has always tried to right any problems that I've had with any of their products. I've had only a few problems, and most of them stemmed from using a PLC on my computer, which was complete garbage. Now with the ISY and a PLM everything is great. I have not even once had my lights come on by their own accord as I used to regularly with x10.

I'm quite certain that the most vocal people online are not the satisfied customers, but the ones that are complaining. Take everything you read with a grain of salt.

I agree that custom service at Smarthome is very good, but unfortunately I have not had good luck with their products. For example, I went through 3 switchlinc 8 button keypads, they all failed within a month of installation. Smarhtome custom service was very nice and replaced the first 2, but when the third one failed I just gave up and switched to UPB, and have had no failures since.

 

[murphy]

The reliabilty of the X10-System is limited, - everything is limited!
I'm using the X10-modules since 20 years. in former times less than 10, now around 30.
Sometimes some modules gave up the gost, - altogether during all the time maybe +/- 13.
Included are
2 (of 10 switch/dimmer modules)
3 (of 1) wireless transceivers (multiple exchanges),
4 (of 3) wall-switche-modules (WS467, multiple exchanges)
2 (of 15) Unviversal module,
1 (of 2) telephone-transponders
1 (of 2) timers
So far I had no issues with noise on the powerlines.
Only -years ago- sometimes with the sensivity of the old modules
That's all during approximitly 20 years.

But I'm living in East-Texas and are penetrated sometimes by real heavy thunderstorms.
Also the ELK-system suffered in the past, although I had some preventions against strokes and overvoltage.
As an UPS always and now an additional ELK950 (againgst spikes over the phoneline as over the low voltage AC-supply etc).
Until now also 3 ELK-boards are replaced. BTW: ELK helped me always very fast and with very fair conditions.
Everytime you get an email from Brad Weeks -one of the great peoples at ELK- you know, your problem is solved.

Back to X10: IMHO reliable enough and also rather cheap.

I don't use Insteon, maybe it is also a good choice. And maybe someone has some numbers about the reliability of that system.