ELK M1GOLD - Insteon/X10 Integration

[halstewart]

I've purchased an Insteon PLC that is supposed to be X10 compatible. The challenge is that the ELK M1Gold motherboard has an RJ11 and the 2413S Power line modem has an RJ45. Can I use a cable that adapts an RJ11 to a RJ45? I'm under the impression I can program X10 commands to turn on my lights by using the M1Gold windows software. Is this correct? Id rather not have to buy the ISY separate unit.
Thanks

 

[apostolakisl]

You can't plug the 2413s into the Elk motherboard.
 
Solutions:
1) 2413s connects to Elk m1xsp.
2) 2413s connects to ISY.  ISY communicates with Elk via m1xep.
 
Either way, you won't be using x10, you'll be using Insteon protocol.  I'm pretty sure that Elk is not capable of sending x10 commands from the 2413s.
 
If what you want is x10, you get the x10 gizmo (http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-10-PRO-Two-Way-Transmit-Receive-Powerline-Interface-Model-PSC05-/171072153907?pt=Home_Automation_Modules&hash=item27d4b1e933) that plugs into that rj11 port.  Unless you already have x10 stuff and like it (don't know how that could be possible), then I would highly suggest you move on to a technology that is less than 40 years old.

 

[halstewart]

Thanks for your advice regarding the ELK M1XSP. I currently have a serial port installed and use it to interface with my wireless network so I can use the laptop software to program the M1. I assume I can install a second serial card. BTW, Insteon indicates the 2413S can send X10 signals and it's also mentioned in the serial card manual I guess I'll order the M1XSP.

 

[apostolakisl]

Thanks for your advice regarding the ELK M1XSP. I currently have a serial port installed and use it to interface with my wireless network so I can use the laptop software to program the M1. I assume I can install a second serial card. BTW, Insteon indicates the 2413S can send X10 signals and it's also mentioned in the serial card manual I guess I'll order the M1XSP.

 
I read the owners manual.  If you don't link any Insteon device to a particular address, it will send the x10 command.  So I guess that is how you do it.
 

Operating BOTH INSTEON and X-10 devices: (Special attention to Jumper S5)
It is possible for the M1XSP to communicate with both INSTEON and traditional X-10 devices. It works as follows: Upon
activation of a Lighting device the M1XSP (with special INSTEON Firmware) will send INSTEON commands for the lighting
devices number that have an INSTEON linked address. It will send X-10 commands for the lighting devices that do not have
an INSTEON "linked" address. This helps to eliminate the need for a separate X-10 PSC05 or TW523 Interface. However,
there are tradeoffs and limitations which must be accepted. For example: No X-10 devices can have a House/Unit code that
conflicts with any present or future linked INSTEON device locations. Lighting devices are numbered 1 (A01) to 256 (P16).
See the chart on the next page. INSTEON device linking BEGINS at Lighting device 1 (A01) and ENDS at 192 (L16). For this
reason, do not assign X-10 House/Unit codes in the extreme low numbers. Furthermore, no X-10 House/Unit codes can be
assigned to light device addresses 193 (M1) through 256 (P16), as these are reserved for INSTEON Groups and special
commands. There is an option to eliminate Groups and free up addresses 193 (M1) to 254 (P14). See note N2 below.