Help me please! Inherited ELK system.

M

medicalbarbie

New Member
Hello!
 
We recently moved house and the previous owner (an electrical engineer no less) wired in an Elk M1 system.
 
As many of you can sympathise, we have found several of the national companies like ADT, FrontPoint, etc are glorified monkeys who want to replace our "outdated" system with their own equipment.
I know the system is less than 6 years old and I am sure is more than adequate if only we could get it up and running.
 
Can you help me?
 
I have read through the installation manual and despite my college degree, do not understand most of it. My husband studied computer science at university but is too busy with work to go through this.
 
I think I need a professional who is familiar with the ELK systems to program the system for me and show me how it works.
 
Does anyone have any recommendations? I live in Vienna, Virginia 22182.
 
I have emailed ELK's customer support also, but they haven't got back to me yet.
 
Thanks in advance
 
I'm not an Elk M1 user, so I can't give specific guidance, but I will say don't listen to ADT, etc. on their recommendations.  Your Elk M1 is a very capable system for both security and home automation and can run circles around most of the simple systems put out by the big security companies.  Hopefully someone here will have a recommendation for a local installer to help you out.  Additionally, since you own the system, you can get monitoring for $8-12 per month instead of $30+ the big companies want.
 
The big thing would be to get the installer code so you can get into the program using the Elk RP software (via serial port or ethernet interface).  If you took some detailed pics of the setup (close ups of some of the components) we may be able to guide you further. 
 
Do you have any contact still with the former owner?  Perhaps he could even send you this info via email, even better that actual database file he used to program the system.
 
Thanks guys.

I will look through the paperwork we had from the sale and see if the installer code was in with the other codes and details he left for us.

As soon as I get the chance I will post some photos too.
 
You could just enter the default installer code in the keypad and see if it takes you to a config menu (per the instruction manual). ;)
 
Doesn't sound like you need to understand the installation manual if the system is already place. Create an account on the elk website and then download elk rp to connect to and program your system. Hopefully there is an Ethernet interface or you will need to use the serial port. Once connected anyone here can probably help you program it and understand features. I am sure the system can be hard reset if needed, but I don't know how as the need never arose. Have fun! Elk is awesome. :D
 
Welcome!
 
Elk's support is going to be the best
bet. If you have a local Alarmax or ADI, maybe they could help connect
you with someone that deals with Elk in your area.
 
http://www.alarmax.com/
 
http://adiglobal.us/

IMHO the Elk M1 can do anything the "Free" alarms they (ADT, etc) would install and then some. Stick with it.

If you do decide to rip it out, let me know, I'm looking for a spare ;) (kidding)
 
Also,
you may want to do local searches for Access Control, CCTV, Alarm
Integrators. Sometimes "Integrators" are willing to take on work like
this depending on what they do... More so than the cookie cutter, slam
dunk companies that are out there.
 
Good Luck.
 
Neurorad said:
Another user was looking for an Elk installer in the Bethesda area, couple days ago.
 
http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/24103-elk-and-monitored-services/
 
If you request an installer at the Elk website, they usually put you in touch with the regional sales manager.
Click to expand...
Thanks - the sales rep Gene, just got in contact. He has passed my details onto a local dealer who should be able to help me sort out the system and expand it if I need to.

All your comments have been great. Thank you all so much x
 
In case any of you were wondering. Dave Huthwaite from Digital Security Inc got in touch and agrees with you guys.
 
We are going to add a few sensors and move a couple of existing smoke detectors to make the system work the way we (my husband & I) want them to, but I am very happy.
 
Then monitoring is going to be a lot cheaper and easier than with the big national companies.
 
Thanks for all your help. I hope your answers can help other blonde users like me!
 
Glad it is going to work out.  
 
I grew up in Oakton and graduated from JMHS.  Small world.  Of course it has really changed since I lived there.  It's been 20 years now....
 
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