Insteon / x10 Sensors via PLM & ISY

[VE9PTR]

Hi Folks,
I'm new to this whole x10/Insteon/ELK stuff but have my M1G up and running with a few wired sensors (motion) and some contacts to be installed soon.
I also have a Insteon PLM (2413s) and ISY-99 up and running and interfaced into the M1.

My question is can the ELK pull in data from X10 or insteon sensors and switches (motion, on/off...)? I haven't tried any X10 stuff yet but have 2 insteon controlled plug-in modules working.

Thanks....many more questions to come!

Pete

 

[apostolakisl]

Yes, Elk can most definitely respond to the status of Insteon devices through an ISY. You need to export your ISY device list and import it into your Elk. Then write rules in Elk. For example, I have a rule that tells Elk to arm itself when I push a button on an Insteon KPL. Similarly, I have Elk rules that turn lights on whenever certain zones are violated (door opens), motion sensors are triggered, and if a an alarm occurs.

X10 is a little trickier. You either need to have a separate Elk XSP connected to an x10 PLM, or you have to get the ISY x10 module which allows for x10 devices to be created as nodes (like an Insteon device) rather than just using programs to run them. When Elk is only connected to the power lines through ISY, the "x10" naming on the Elk is not sending x10 commands to ISY. ISY maps all of the 256 x10 spots in Elk to specific devices/scenes on your ISY. So it may look like Elk is sending "A4 on" command but ISY sees "turn on the device I mapped to A4" and it relays out the Insteon command for that device. A true x10 signal is only generated if you have the Elk XSP plugged into a separate PLM. Even if you have the X10 module for ISY it won't send "A4 on" in this situation, it will send the on command for whatever is mapped to "A4" and that cold very well be an X10 device at any x10 address.

UD is working on the Elk module which should be out soon which will fully integrate ISY with Elk. With this installed, ISY should basically become an extension of Elk with direct access to the status of zones, alarms, arming, variables, etc. as well as control of outputs, alarms, variables, etc. In this way you should be able to use ISY for all of your HA programs rather than having some on Elk and some on ISY. I like the Elk, but it is pretty short on program space and has a rather odd language.

 

[VE9PTR]

Thanks for the reply!

So, basically what I understand is that the 2413s module does not do a good job at x10? I know ZERO about x10 and don't currently own any to test, but I'd like to add some wireless sensors and key fob's to my system and thought x10 might be the way to go. What I'm now thinking is that Insteon or add another wireless system to my elk is the choice to go with. Corret me if I'm wrong.

I've been reading forums and wiki pages for days trying to sort out this whole x10, insteon and elk integration out!!!

Pete

 

[apostolakisl]

I have the older 2412s and it works fine with X10. Can't comment on the 2413s.

I have several keyfobs. I picked them up on ebay for next to nothing and wired them into a zone on the elk. Then write rules on the elk to do what you want.

The cheapo made in china keyfob setups come with 2 keyfobs and a receiver. You need a 5 volt dc power supply and they have 4 outputs. I set the outputs to power 4 relays that connect to 4 zones on the elk. When you push the keyfob it powers up the relay, closing it, and causing the elk zone to become secure for as long as you hold the button.

I set mine up to close the garage door (if open), arm the system away, turn off lights, tv, stereo, and after a 30 minute delay turn off the house water. When I come home I push a different button that for the most part does the opposite.