Lightning strike aftermath

[AceCannon]

The strike happened about 2-3 weeks ago. Damage:

1-Elk M1G main control, "phone fault", noise on line whenever Elk is plugged into the RJ31X jack, control will not dial out.

2-No ALC devices can be controlled via the ELK-ALC interface

3-No comm with any of the four Aprilaire stats


Repairs:

1-So today I replaced the main control, found the XEP on the network, upgraded the control firmware, enrolled without the ELK-ALC or M1XSP for the t-stats, did a SEND ALL from the RP2. The phone fault is fixed, dials out fine now. No noise on line.

2-I replaced the ALC-ELK interface, enrolled it without a problem, There is a slow pulse on the M1 light, just as it should be. The ALC-ELK will control the scene switch and ALC devices fine, I get normal ALC activity blinks, so the lighting controller aspects of the thing work. But no Elk-generated commands seem to function. No rules mentioning lights work. CQC works via the Elk driver for everything except the lighting.

3-Replaced the M1XSP, it enrolls fine, normal slow blink. T-stats still no workie. Am awaiting shipment of a new 8811 (protocol adapter) and 8818 (distribution module), so we'll see if that fixes this problem.


So I am stuck on #2 for now. I've tried a bunch of maneuvers to get things working again but kinda am at a loss now. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[AceCannon]

*** The M1XSP is actually the ELK-ALC interface, it shows up to the Elk as an XSP).

 

[Neurorad]

Oh man, so you've been without AC for 2-3 weeks? Or just no communication?

Do you have a surge protection device at the service entrance? Have you considered one? Which one(s)?

 

[AceCannon]

Nah, the OnQ ALC switches all work fine locally, as regular switches. And the ALC controller works, talks to scene switches. But the controller will not seem to process commands originating from the Elk, despite seemingly normal enrollment and M1 LED "pulse".


No, no service entrance surge protection. But I think the surge may have originated from the phone line . . .

 

[pete_c]

service entrance surge protection

Ace,

What are you using?

PeteC

 

[Neurorad]

Nah, the OnQ ALC switches all work fine locally, as regular switches. And the ALC controller works, talks to scene switches. But the controller will not seem to process commands originating from the Elk, despite seemingly normal enrollment and M1 LED "pulse".

No, no service entrance surge protection. But I think the surge may have originated from the phone line . . .

was asking about the hvAC

but I re-read, seems that the stats just can't communicate, but otherwise working fine

Steve is a big fan of the TPS SPDs. CharlieBarns had a commercial Eaton Innovative Technology (I.T.) Protector Series unit installed. I think it's time for me to get this done, let us know if you invest in one.

 

[AceCannon]

(I dunno, the thread involves more than Elk, maybe it should be in Home Automation?)

Update:

HVAC: replaced Aprilaire 8811 protocol adapter and all stats immediately communicated with the M1G. This even though there was no outward sign the old 8811 was dead. So the now-replaced M1XSP may very well be fine. At any rate, HVAC fixed.

Lights: ELK-ALC interface is replaced with a new board. Dimmers communicate with the board and work fine, ALC activity LED pulses are evident when the switches are manually pushed. Scene switches communicate with the board and work fine. The board is enrolled with the M1G, steady, normal M1 status pulse. When the Elk sends commands, appropriate data flickers occur on the M1 status, but no ALC activity pulses are apparent, no lighting changes happen. It is like there is a disconnect between the Elk and the ALC logic of the board. All DIP switches are set the same as the old board. Seems I am missing something obvious, but I can't figure it out. I guess the new board could be bad.

 

[Neurorad]

Maybe it's a firmware issue, with one of the devices? M1XSP, or the ALC-Elk Interface board?

I don't even know if either of them has firmware, just trying to help.

 

[AceCannon]

Maybe it's a firmware issue, with one of the devices? M1XSP, or the ALC-Elk Interface board?

I don't even know if either of them has firmware, just trying to help.

Yes, I appreciate the cerebral clock cycles.

The ALC-ELK has the M1XSP functionality built in. The board takes the place of an M1XSP, an ALC serial interface, and an ALC lighting controller.

I tried updating the firmware in the Elk-ALC via ElkRP2 when I got it installed.. . . The Elk-ALC interface appeared as an M1XSP to the Elk control, so perhaps I should NOT have re-flashed it. I am not sure how to reset the Elk-ALC board to factory default, but maybe that is my next step.

 

[Neurorad]

Tony Stewart Jr. or Tony Stewart Sr. would be helpful, a call may offer the quickest solution.

 

[AceCannon]

Tony Stewart Jr. or Tony Stewart Sr. would be helpful, a call may offer the quickest solution.

Yep, that is on my list today. If they do not know how to reset the board's firmware, I doubt anyone does, including OnQ.