M1 Gold Installation Quickstart

[DotNetDog]

This weekend I will be powering up my Elk M1G. I have mounted the main board and most modules in 2 Leviton cans. Now it's time to power up this bad boy!

I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions that will make this easier? While I have 4 keypads, I do know to start with connecting only one. Here are some questions that I have?

1) What is the easiest way to configure the M1G?

2) Should I connect the ethernet module at the start?

I would like to configure the M1G using ElkRP rather than the keypad​

3) Should I connect any inputs (such as windows or doors) or wait until the main board works with 1 keypad?

Any suggestions would be appreciated?

 

[apostolakisl]

1) See 2

2) Yes, and that is the easiest way. Except if memory serves me you have to enroll devices from the keypad.

3) Connect them at the start

 

[electron]

Make sure you get the ELKRP software ASAP. You have to register on their website, and sometimes it can take a few days to get the account approved, especially once the weekend hits.

 

[DotNetDog]

Thanks guys. I should have mentioned that I already registered with Elk and my credentials do work. I will download ElkRP this morning to be sure I can get it. I'm actually looking forward to working on this over the weekend. My M1G setup is pretty big....as in, I have 6 input expansion modules. B)

 

[electron]

You'll probably spend most of your time laying out the components, and organizing the wires. Are you mounting the M1 on a backplate, or directly onto the back of the can?

 

[DotNetDog]

You'll probably spend most of your time laying out the components, and organizing the wires. Are you mounting the M1 on a backplate, or directly onto the back of the can?

Backplane? :unsure: I attached the plastic case for the M1G into a Leviton 42" can. Most of the components are now mounted in 2 Leviton 42" cans. I have a 3rd can that I will use for my networking, phones and video wires.

I have LOTS of wires to connect!!! But I can connect things a little at a time. My initial focus is to get the basic M1G up and running. I'll connect most things as time permits over the coming weeks/months. Here's a summary of what I get to connect...

Total Number of Alarm Keypads: 4
Total Number of Interior Door Sensors: 24
Total Number of Exterior Door Sensors: 5
Total Number of Furnace Monitor Sensors: 1
Total Number of Garage Door Openers: 2
Total Number of Garage Door Sensors: 2
Total Number of Glass Break Sensors: 10
Total Number of Heat Detector Sensors: 1
Total Number of Irrigation System Sensors: 1
Total Number of Temperature Sensors: 6
Total Number of Occupancy Sensors: 47
Total Number of Piezo Screamers: 2
Total Number of Sirens: 2
Total Number of Strobes: 1
Total Number of Water Leak Detectors: 23
Total Number of Window Sensors: 19

 

[apostolakisl]

It doesn't take that long to plug the wires into the board. I would do all of that right off to get rid of the spaghetti of wires. You can spend time programming what the system does with each of those later.

I have a similar number of water detectors as you. But I did not use one zone for each one. I clustered them into a handful of groups. Similar to fire detectors, in residential setting you really don't need to pinpoint heat/water/smoke that specifically, it should be quite obvious finding the problem once the system alarms.

That is a lot of interior door sensors. What are you using them for?

 

[usuallyresourceful]

That's a lot! Are you able to hook all these up everything without expanders?

 

[DotNetDog]

Nope. I bought 6 expanders (for now) and will buy the remaining expanders as I purchase occupancy sensors.

I actually did not get started this past weekend due to unforeseen circumstances... i.e. - my daughter crashed her laptop so I spend lots of time diagnosing and rebuilding it. Fingers are crossed for this weekend!