I have an M1, and I just started thinking the other day how nice it would be if I could simply hit a button on my MX-900 and arm the system without having to get up. I realize I could accomplish this with a wireless keyfob, but it would be a lot more convenient if I could arm the M1 from the same remote that I already use to control my TV, stereo, lighting, etc ... Is there any combination of devices/software that I could buy that would allow me to do this?
Is it possible to arm an Elk M1 with a universal IR remote?
- Thread starter Loraquest
- Start date
Quixote_1
Active Member
I just got my M1 and an ISY, so I can't be sure yet, but I'm willing to bet that you could do that with an ISY 99i IR. That solution may be a little on the pricey side though if you only plan to use it for that task. On the other hand, it could be a good opportunity to explore what Insteon has to offer.
You could do it with CQC software on a PC and one of the IR receivers CQC supports. CQC can communicate with the M1, so it could respond to the IR command by sending the appropriate command to the M1. I'm guessing there are other PC software packages that can do the same thing.
If you use UPB (and I think there is an INSTEON version too), there is a module which can translate IR to UPB. The Ocelot might be another option, but it's IR receiving performance is limited (approx. 1 command per second) because it was designed to learn remotes, not trigger events.
123
Senior Member
The following solution uses free software and inexpensive hardware but it does require the use of PC (preferably dedicated to the task of Home Automation).
Hardware:
IRA-3 from HomElectronics is an inexpensive (~US$22) IR receiver. It uses a serial-port connection so, if needed, you can place the device far away from the computer.
Software:
Premise is a free Home Automation application.
To make it work, you'll also need the following (also free):
If you want to learn more about Premise, I encourage you to watch this introductory video. It demonstrates how to build a "Premise Home" and includes an example of how to turn off all lights whenever the home's security system (an ELK M1) is armed. Premise's Wiki page contains links for many more videos.
PS
If you want bi-directional IR communications, Premise supports the USB-UIRT IR tranceiver.
Hardware:
IRA-3 from HomElectronics is an inexpensive (~US$22) IR receiver. It uses a serial-port connection so, if needed, you can place the device far away from the computer.
Software:
Premise is a free Home Automation application.
To make it work, you'll also need the following (also free):
- IRA-3 driver
Enables Premise to read IR signals received by the IRA-3. - ELK M1 driver
Enables Premise to monitor and control an M1. - IR Remote Control
Enables Premise to assign a received IR command to a button. You'll add a simple script to the button that will arm the M1 (I can help you compose the script). The button will also be automatically visible in Premise's user-interface so you can also activate it via a web-browser.
If you want to learn more about Premise, I encourage you to watch this introductory video. It demonstrates how to build a "Premise Home" and includes an example of how to turn off all lights whenever the home's security system (an ELK M1) is armed. Premise's Wiki page contains links for many more videos.
PS
If you want bi-directional IR communications, Premise supports the USB-UIRT IR tranceiver.
Thanks for all the great information, guys! To be honest, I was hoping that there was some type of standalone solution that would not require a PC with home automation software to be running 24/7. Unfortunately, it looks like I might be out of luck. I guess I'll have to explore the various options already discussed to see which will work best for my needs.
Maybe use this piece of hardware: http://www.simerec.com/index.html for ~$30 and use its output to trigger a input on your Elk. Setup a rule to arm and disarm based on status of this input. Switch is triggered by IR codes you can teach it from your favorite remote.
apostolakisl
Senior Member
It can be done indirectly. You will need an IR to Insteon translator of some sort. Insteon sells a dedicated unit for that for about $80 or you could do what I did and buy an ISY-99ir. Program an IR button on your remote to turn on an unused kpl button. Write a rule on Elk that tells the system to arm whenever that kpl is turned on. I also wrote a rule that turns that kpl button off whenever you turn the alarm off so it is ready to go next time you want to use the remote to turn the system on. Now you can also turn the alarm on by pushing that kpl button directly. I did not write a rule to turn the alarm off when someone switches the kpl off because you would be allowing the alarm to be shut off without any code being entered.
It is a little round about, but it works almost 100% of the time on the first try and when it fails on try one it always works on the second try.
If you don't have any IR to Insteon converter, I higly recommend it. I can sit on my couch and turn lights on and off using the remote. It is a nice little feature.
It is a little round about, but it works almost 100% of the time on the first try and when it fails on try one it always works on the second try.
If you don't have any IR to Insteon converter, I higly recommend it. I can sit on my couch and turn lights on and off using the remote. It is a nice little feature.
Thanks, Lou! This sounds like the perfect solution for me. In fact, I already have four IRLinc receivers scattered throughout my home, so I am very familiar with Insteon. What I know nothing about, however, is how to get the M1 and my Insteon network to talk to each other. Do I need to purchase some type of Insteon module for the M1, or does the M1 already natively support Insteon? It's funny, when I purchased the M1, it was solely because I wanted to use it as an alarm system. Now that I happen to have an extensive Insteon network set up, I guess I might as well explore all the cool things that the two technologies can do together.
I'm not sure I would want a solution to disarm from an IR source, in a standalone solution. Heck, even an arm would be questionable. Without a PC to make decisions including PIN collection, and maybe not even then, I wouldn't want a disarm to happen.
Russ...
Russ, I agree with you 100% about the disarm. I don't think anyone in their right mind would make it so the system could be disarmed with a single key press. On the other hand, why would you have a problem with the ability to arm the system from an IR remote? How is it any different from pressing the "away" or "stay" button on a keypad?
apostolakisl
Senior Member
Regarding Insteon and Elk. You will need a 2412s and the serial cable that goes with it. That will plug into your m1g panel and then into the 2412s. If you have an isy you will only need the elk network adapter (you still need a 2412s but the ISY plugs into it, not elk). I highly recommend an ISY if you plan any significant insteon setup as it is just way way easier to control and modifies links not to mention all the other stuff the isy does.
If you don't have an isy it is a bit more tedious. You will need to link your individual insteon devices to the 2412s. Then those linked insteon devices will show up in the elk lighting section. To be honest, I forget how to do all of that becuase I have used the ISY for so long. If you have an isy you simply export your ISY setup to a file and then import it into the Elk and just like that every sinlge insteon device in your house is linked to the elk.
You will also need to be sure you have the elk firmware that supports Insteon. That can be downloaded from Elk's website at no cost.
It sounds like you are a totally new to the elk/insteon thing. I suggest you set aside about 4 or 5 hours to experiment with all of this. It will get much clearer to you as you play with it and you will find that there are a just a million things you can do. Assuming ISY continues to expand there integration with Elk I expect things to get even better in the future.
If you don't have an isy it is a bit more tedious. You will need to link your individual insteon devices to the 2412s. Then those linked insteon devices will show up in the elk lighting section. To be honest, I forget how to do all of that becuase I have used the ISY for so long. If you have an isy you simply export your ISY setup to a file and then import it into the Elk and just like that every sinlge insteon device in your house is linked to the elk.
You will also need to be sure you have the elk firmware that supports Insteon. That can be downloaded from Elk's website at no cost.
It sounds like you are a totally new to the elk/insteon thing. I suggest you set aside about 4 or 5 hours to experiment with all of this. It will get much clearer to you as you play with it and you will find that there are a just a million things you can do. Assuming ISY continues to expand there integration with Elk I expect things to get even better in the future.
WayneW
Senior Member
The 2412s doesn't connect directly to the M1 panel, it connects to an Elk XSP module. That XSP requires the Insteon firmware and the XSP connects to the M1 via the Elk data bus.
I second the ISY endorsement if you are using Insteon.