M1G installation 12VDC current budget

[ecborgoyn]

I'm designing an M1G upgrade of my existing Westec 5000 system. Initially I'm just installing a functional replacement for the W5K but will also engineer ample headroom for expansion.

I'm a bit confused about the M1G specs on 12VDC current capacity. I see number such as a 2500mA power supply, but 1000 mA continuous. I'm assuming this to mean that I can draw 2500mA in alarm conditions and 1000mA steady state. Correct?

I also see words in the installation docs that the VAUX, SAUX, VKP, and J16 total current is 1000mA. Correct? Is this in peak/alarm state condition or steady state? What about the Zone16 supply to a set of 2-wire smoke detectors? Where is this in the current budget? What is the current limit on Zone16 for 2-wire smoke det's.?

Also, in the 1000mA continuous, is the M1 panel consumption in this number? Obviously when the panel is in alarm it will draw additional current to power the speakers and/or siren. Are these numbers specs somewhere? Are they just lumped in the 2500mA number?

Is there a complete spec somewhere? Maybe it's somewhere obvious, but I haven't seen it.

I need to assemble a current budget for sensors, keypads, ex panders, etc. I fully understand the specs on the devices, but I don't fully understand the specs on the M1 and it's power supply. I most likely need additional 12VDC supply capability and in fact have an existing Altronix supplemental supply in my existing system.

I'm a detailed person and need additional details.

Thanks.

 

[apostolakisl]

I think a call or email to Elk directly would be your most accurate info.

With my system I have gone with an ATX power supply running on a UPS to power most of the peripherals (plus my routers, modems, intercom, and on and on.) This has worked beautifully and points to bad power as the culprit for the occasional reset required on my router and modem (haven't had to do it anymore).

The smoke detectors are still powered off the elk panel.

 

[Del91574]

You have 1A total to work with in continous power on the AUX terminals, that's it. Sirens are limited to 1A on their output, unless you're running speakers.

The 2 wire detectors are limited to 20 maximum (from memory) and that's a different item than a 4 wire unit.

The best solution is to go to Elk's site and download the spreadsheet for current calculation.

 

[ecborgoyn]

I either can't find the spreadsheet on the Elk website, or it's in the owner/dealer/installer area. Is it posted somewhere else? A bit of Googling didn't locate it.

You mention speakers/sirens. Do I need to budget current for driving speakers?

So what you are saying is that I have 1A continuous on the AUX terminals, no more current in alarm conditions. Is this correct? Does this also include the VKP output for the data bus power?

 

[apostolakisl]

Elk has put essentially everything in the password protected part of the website.

It is no big deal to get access. You just need your system serial number. They should approve you pretty quick (I think it took a few hours when I applied). I don't know what is in the pro part of the website, but it would appear that all of the specs, software, firmware, and manuals are available to the diy.

I am not looking at my unit right now, but I could swear it said right on the cover what the siren current limitations are.

Generally speaking, the Elk is not underpowered. Unless you have a very large install, you probably won't need aux power. I don't need it on my system, I mostly did it so that the system battery lasts longer on a power failure. If the peripherals go down, the zones, smokes, sirens, and cellular communication will all still work. The security part of the system isn't affected by losing the keypads, relays, xep, xsp, and most of those more HA things.

They are not super friendly to the diy, but they aren't hostile either. With some polite persistance they get around to answering questions if you can't find what you need in the documents.

 

[video321]

From talking to Elk, that 1A includes everything; even the panel itself which is 140mA (iirc) during standby. Sirens are easy to calculate as those specs are given, but I was never able to find out exactly what the current draw is when output 2 is set for speaker (4/8/whatever ohms). So, keypads (which also pull more power during an alarm), motion, glass break, hubs, expanders, you name it.

edit: I have the current worksheet

 

[ecborgoyn]

Excellent. Thanks for the spreadsheet. Today at lunchtime I started to pull some of these number together from Elk specs. But now I know that the panel comes out of that budget also. I might need to talk with Elk regarding current draw due to speaker loads on Output 1 AND Output 2. I'm planning on supporting both an outdoor speaker and a set of indoor speakers.

 

[video321]

I might need to talk with Elk regarding current draw due to speaker loads on Output 1 AND Output 2. I'm planning on supporting both an outdoor speaker and a set of indoor speakers.

If you ever do find out, please post.