Help planning Elk system

[SnyperBob]

Hi guys,

I'm back with more questions. I'm in phase two of the security system install and I'm thinking I might be able to roll the cost of more hardware into the remodel so the wife doesn't know. <_<

I was wondering what will it take to get my W800RF up and running with my M1G system? So do I need to buy a Elk-M1XSP Lighting/Thermostat serial interface that will work with my serial port w800rf?

Once I get the w800rf hooked into my system, will I be able to then use my wireless x10 devices in my Elk system like any other wired sensor? ie....wireless x10 door and window sensors will be able to tie into the M1G setup? I have some money tied into this stuff and would hate to just toss it

Also, what do I need to get my Insteon PLM working? I have the serial port version of the PLC/PLM. Do I need to buy another Elk-M1XSP Lighting/Thermostat serial interface for this as well? So would need two Elk-M1XSP's? One for the w800rf and another for the Insteon PLM?

Thanks

 

[electron]

You need a M1XSP in order to connect the W800RF32 to the Elk M1. Once you did that, you can use any X10-RF controller to send X10 signals. If you want to monitor DS10A's, then you will also need to do a few more steps. See this thread for more information.

 

[Digger]

Hi guys,

I'm back with more questions. I'm in phase two of the security system install and I'm thinking I might be able to roll the cost of more hardware into the remodel so the wife doesn't know. <_<

I was wondering what will it take to get my W800RF up and running with my M1G system? So do I need to buy a Elk-M1XSP Lighting/Thermostat serial interface that will work with my serial port w800rf?

Once I get the w800rf hooked into my system, will I be able to then use my wireless x10 devices in my Elk system like any other wired sensor? ie....wireless x10 door and window sensors will be able to tie into the M1G setup? I have some money tied into this stuff and would hate to just toss it

Also, what do I need to get my Insteon PLM working? I have the serial port version of the PLC/PLM. Do I need to buy another Elk-M1XSP Lighting/Thermostat serial interface for this as well? So would need two Elk-M1XSP's? One for the w800rf and another for the Insteon PLM?

Thanks

You need an M1XSP for the W800RF. You can use another M1XSP for the PLM but you should consider the UDI ISY series of controllers if you have the M1XEP already (or plan on getting it). It is more expensive but the ISY can maintain the status of the Insteon lighting best. UDI has a Rep here on Cocoontech often and I think anyone that has bought an ISY will agree it is worth every penny.

 

[SnyperBob]

I understand about the ISY. I will eventually get one, but I have a thousand other HA hardware items I would like to get first, so that's on the back burner.

I will look into Dan's thread and check it out. Thanks guys!

 

[signal15]

This thread is actually kind of humorous. It started out a couple of months ago with some basic security requirements, and now the OP is adding all sorts of bells and whistles.

I did the same thing with mine, but I did it on the initial order I placed. Now I'm already planning on adding a bunch of other stuff.

 

[SnyperBob]

This thread is actually kind of humorous. It started out a couple of months ago with some basic security requirements, and now the OP is adding all sorts of bells and whistles.

I did the same thing with mine, but I did it on the initial order I placed. Now I'm already planning on adding a bunch of other stuff.

Haha, yeah that's kind of how it goes. I already have a bunch of home automation stuff that's computer-driven. Now that I have my M1G set up, I want to move everything over to have the M1 control it, so I don't need a computer on 24/7 just to monitor x10 stuff.

I started out with automated lighting and a whole-house audio system all done on the cheap. Now that I took the plunge for the M1G, I'm in the big leagues, hehe

I'm only to this point and I've been slowly building all this up over about two years now. I still can't afford any Insteon hardware. I only have the PLM to control cheaper x10 light switches and lamp things. I will eventually replace all the light switches in the house with Insteon, but that will take more time and money

 

[SnyperBob]

Hey guys,

I'm back with a few more questions. I've been putting off installing my piezo screamers. If I have a false alarm my wife is going to kill me. These things are loud with just a 9 volt.

I was wondering how do I hook these up. I have 3 screamers. Do I just hook them up to Out2? I have Out1 hooked up to a speaker for voice/siren currently.

Spanky mentioned in a different thread/post about delaying Out2 in the event of a false alarm. How do I go about doing that? I wouldn't mind having just the speakers going off on the initial alarm, but after like 30 seconds I would then like the piezos to kick in.

Thanks

 

[Digger]

Hey guys,

I'm back with a few more questions. I've been putting off installing my piezo screamers. If I have a false alarm my wife is going to kill me. These things are loud with just a 9 volt.

I was wondering how do I hook these up. I have 3 screamers. Do I just hook them up to Out2? I have Out1 hooked up to a speaker for voice/siren currently.

Spanky mentioned in a different thread/post about delaying Out2 in the event of a false alarm. How do I go about doing that? I wouldn't mind having just the speakers going off on the initial alarm, but after like 30 seconds I would then like the piezos to kick in.

Thanks

In ELK-RP under Globals there is a screen for Output 2 that allows you to set a time delay for that output. I set mine to 20 seconds.

Set output 2 for voltage and wire your piezo screamers in parallel.

 

[SnyperBob]

Thanks!

 

[SnyperBob]

You need an M1XSP for the W800RF. You can use another M1XSP for the PLM

How come I can't just plug my Insteon PLM directly into the panel? J5 is a lighting interface connection. It has a telephone style jack and that jack looks very similar to the jack on my PLM. This is not possible? What would that jack be used for then?

Also, if I do have to get a M1XSP for the PLM, do I have to flash it with special firmware? That's what I understand by looking at the instructions for the M1XSP

And does anyone know if it's even possible to use the onboard serial port (on the M1G) for dual purposes? ie...program it for my W800RF, but then still be able disconnect the W800RF and connect my computer so I can program it and stuff? This is probably a stupid question, but I figured I'd ask anyway.

Or I guess would there be a way that I could connect the M1G to my computer via serial port, and then be able to access my w800rf and PLM that are also connected to the computer via serial port. Basically M1G connects to devices which are remotely connected to the PC. I would guess this might be possible for the w800rf, but probably not for the PLM since that needs special M1G/XSP firmware

Thanks

 

[mustangcoupe]

How come I can't just plug my Insteon PLM directly into the panel? J5 is a lighting interface connection. It has a telephone style jack and that jack looks very similar to the jack on my PLM. This is not possible? What would that jack be used for then?

This is for the old x10 PSC05 PLC I beleive (not compatible with the current technologies.)

Also, if I do have to get a M1XSP for the PLM, do I have to flash it with special firmware?

Yes a real easy process

And does anyone know if it's even possible to use the onboard serial port (on the M1G) for dual purposes? ie...program it for my W800RF, but then still be able disconnect the W800RF and connect my computer so I can program it and stuff? This is probably a stupid question, but I figured I'd ask anyway.

I think it *should* work because your not changing firmware to work with the W800

Or I guess would there be a way that I could connect the M1G to my computer via serial port, and then be able to access my w800rf and PLM that are also connected to the computer via serial port. Basically M1G connects to devices which are remotely connected to the PC. I would guess this might be possible for the w800rf, but probably not for the PLM since that needs special M1G/XSP firmware

I dont know of a way



edit: totally screwed up formatting of post.... just re answered it all

 

[SnyperBob]

ok, I found this on the Elk website:

For interfacing with PowerLine "PLC" devices there are 3 popular interfaces on the market today. They are: PSC05 by X10 Pro, TW523 by X10, and Powerlinc II by Smarthome Mfg.

The PLC that I have is a Smarthome Powerlinc V2 2114s. I think it said version 1.9
Anyway, on the PLC there's a jack that looks like a phone jack. I have a cable that runs from that phone jack to the computer. The PLC end of the cable has 3 wires (I think they're white, red and yellow). The computer end of that cable is a serial port (RS232) jack.

I bought this PLC used, so I didn't get any other cables with it. Can I make a cable that will run between the PLC and the Elk M1G J5 port? If so, how should I go about making it? It looks like the J5 port on the Elk panel is 4 conductor

Can anyone confirm that this will work, and do you know how I should make the cable? Or is there somewhere I could buy a cable already made? ie I can plug my PLC directly into J5 on the M1G, rather than going thru an XSP.

 

[SnyperBob]

Is the cable I need a RJ-45 to RJ-25? I wonder if anyone would have a cable like this laying around they would be willing to part with