HAI RC-2000 and Humidity Reading via API

[ultrajones]

I just hooked up an HAI RC-2000. The response from the ELk M1 indicates the humidity reading is 00 as shown here: 13TR01100696285000000 Does the HAI RC-2000 support humidity via the Elk M1? I tried calling Elk technical support and they essentially told me to pound sand.

Regards,
Ultrajones

 

[Spanky]

Humidity is not supported with the rc-2000.

Pound sand?....I think not..

 

[ultrajones]

Humidity is not supported with the rc-2000.

Pound sand?....I think not..

Thanks for the confirmation.

I called Elk tech support to ask this question. I was told they were not able to help me because I was an end user and that I should ask my question on the Cocoontech forum or contact the place that sold me my Elk M1.

As a developer, what resources do I have to get help with the HAI RC-2000 and the Elk Omnistat2 API?

 

[tmbrown97]

You probably need to ask that question in the HAI forum since it's their product. You'd be asking as if connecting to a PC, not an Elk.

 

[ultrajones]

You probably need to ask that question in the HAI forum since it's their product. You'd be asking as if connecting to a PC, not an Elk.

I updated my original post. I am looking for support on the *Elk* Omnitstat2 API, not the HAI Omnistat2 API.

 

[tmbrown97]

I guess I misunderstood - you said "as a developer" which I read as you wanting to access the HAI serial protocol to find out what it's really sending.

The question seems to be if the HAI OmniStat is sending humidity and the Elk isn't receiving it, or does the HAI not support sending it over serial to begin with?

If the Elk doesn't receive it, that's in the XSP or other Elk components - you won't be fixing that... only Elk can. If HAI doesn't send it, well - you're not going to have any luck getting that either!

If it were me, I'd find out how to talk to the RC2000 as a PC - in that case you'd want HAI resources to find out if it's even capable of sending humidity; if not, you're barking up the wrong tree. If you confirm it can, then ask the question of Elk when they might be able to add support.

 

[ddennerline]

Elk M1G does not have official support for humidity. Although a counter or remapped temperature sensor could be used in a ElkRP rule. It does appear that official support for humidity is pending because new Elk wireless technology has a temperature/humidity sensor (yeh!).

I have an OmniStat2 integrated with Elk M1XSP. The M1XSP/HAI OmniStat 70.x.x firmware does contain a jumper configuration. I suspect this jumper allows “extended information” to pass through the M1XEP > ElkM1G > M1XSP > OmniStat2. This could only be used by third-part automation controllers.

NOTE: Baud Jumper S3 has a special purpose with OmniStat 2 series. The normal setting is S3=0. However, if it is set to S3=1 the M1XSP will pass along thermostat data in the form of ASCII data to the Elk-M1. This has been a requested feature by some customers. Refer to the ElkM1 ASCII Protocol document for addition details.

 

[ddennerline]

This post (http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=11484) may be relevant. Elk ASCII protocol contains specific commands that support OmniStat2.

The HAI thermostat protocol appears to be documented at: http://www.alarmhow.net/manuals/HAI/Modules/Thermostats/Omnistat%20Serial%20Protocol.PDF

 

[ultrajones]

To be clear, Elk technical support obviously didn't tell me to pound sand. It just felt like they did. As soon as I stated I was an end user, they didn't even want to talk to me. They very politely and professionally redirected me to cocoontech or asked I contact the seller.

The ELK-M1_RS232_PROTOCOL documentation is missing examples of how to communicate with the Omnistat2 thermostat. I sent an e-mail to Elk technical support in hopes they can provide an example on how to use the Elk “t2” Omnistat 2 From PC to M1 ASCII Protocol.

Regards,
Ultrajones

 

[aard3]

I guess I misunderstood - you said "as a developer" which I read as you wanting to access the HAI serial protocol to find out what it's really sending.

The question seems to be if the HAI OmniStat is sending humidity and the Elk isn't receiving it, or does the HAI not support sending it over serial to begin with?

If the Elk doesn't receive it, that's in the XSP or other Elk components - you won't be fixing that... only Elk can. If HAI doesn't send it, well - you're not going to have any luck getting that either!

If it were me, I'd find out how to talk to the RC2000 as a PC - in that case you'd want HAI resources to find out if it's even capable of sending humidity; if not, you're barking up the wrong tree. If you confirm it can, then ask the question of Elk when they might be able to add support.

Just to clarify, the RC2000 protocol supports Humidity, sounds like your Elk panel just doesn't support it. If anyone wants them, I believe the thermostat protocols are available from our developer section on our website.

Aaron

 

[tmbrown97]

To be clear, Elk technical support obviously didn't tell me to pound sand. It just felt like they did. As soon as I stated I was an end user, they didn't even want to talk to me. They very politely and professionally redirected me to cocoontech or asked I contact the seller.

There is a very fine line for manufacturers to support DIY. Think about it - support a dealer who's learning and they can keep selling more and more. Support a DIYer and that one sale is liable to keep coming back over and over again needing more and more. The fact that Elk supports DIY enough to provide the materials, documentation, software downloads, etc - is huge. If they had to provide first-hand tech support of end users they would have to staff appropriately thus affecting their profit margins - meaning either prices have to go up, they have to figure out how to charge for support, or some other option.

Honestly the way they handle DIY support is what I consider the best possible compromise - it's best effort but without guarantees - but it keeps the doors open. And, there are some very good people here on the forums to help field a majority of the questions - so if you get to something really advanced, there's a good chance they'll still help where they can.