Measuring voltage with an Elk M1 system

[Old11C4]

I have a solar powered driveway gate. I will be installing a low voltage cutout switch to prevent damage to both a deep cycled battery and possible damage to the gate motor and controller. In discussion with the gate manufacturers tech support, low voltage could result in erratic behavior and damage.

I can easily install a relay to signal a voltage cut-off, but would then have no warning of a potential problem.

I would like to monitor the voltage with my Elk M1 board. In time, I can adjust the trigger value in the rules to give ample warning of even slightly abnormal operation. -- and of course more warnings of an even greater/progressive under voltage condition.

The gate operates off a 12VDC battery.

Do I just wire the positive battery post, or better a 12V current limited output from the controller board to the zone (along with a signal ground)?

Some of the Elk power supplies - especially their new supervised supply look great. I will be installing one in an outbuilding with a remote security panel. The gate, however, is solar powered and not a candidate for the Elk’s power supply (requires A/C). BTW, the input zone will be located on an M1XIN Input Expander in this outbuilding.


Thanks

 

[Lagerhead]

Using M1 zones in "unconventional" ways has been discussed here periodically, particularly for direct temperature and voltage measurements.

IMHO no good M1-only solution has been found for these requirements. Proposals have ranged from cutting the pull-up resistor on the XIN to "overloading" the zone.

Using the M1 in the "as-designed" realm, if you were willing to establish two thresholds for your application, you could have switch closures that would first signal trouble on a zone at the lower threshold, and then signal alarm on the zone at the higher threshold.

For my purposes, I bought a Barionet, which has direct analog measurements, while I let the M1 do the things it does well.

 

[Old11C4]

Using M1 zones in "unconventional" ways has been discussed here periodically, particularly for direct temperature and voltage measurements.

IMHO no good M1-only solution has been found for these requirements. Proposals have ranged from cutting the pull-up resistor on the XIN to "overloading" the zone.

Using the M1 in the "as-designed" realm, if you were willing to establish two thresholds for your application, you could have switch closures that would first signal trouble on a zone at the lower threshold, and then signal alarm on the zone at the higher threshold.

For my purposes, I bought a Barionet, which has direct analog measurements, while I let the M1 do the things it does well.

I agree it would be better to use the M1 as designed. In ElkRP, a zone option is listed for Type 34 = Analog Zone. Is such not supported?

Thanks for the Reply - much appreciated.

 

[mustangcoupe]

34 - Analog - For sensors that produce a variable voltage (0 to 12 volt range). Requires the Whenever/And/Then
rules from the ELK-RP software. NOTE: This definition is only available with the ELK-M1G (Gold) control.

 

[Lagerhead]

Type 34 = Analog Zone

By all means, try it. I have not had reliable results with this, which I attribute to the fact that every M1 zone provides its own power through a pull-up resistor, meant to attach open/short/EOL sensors.

FWIW, Analog type 34 works very nicely when detecting differences in resistance. I use this approach -- distinct resistor values to determine a selector switch setting -- as part of my HVAC control.

 

[gatchel]

By all means, try it. I have not had reliable results with this, which I attribute to the fact that every M1 zone provides its own power through a pull-up resistor, meant to attach open/short/EOL sensors.

FWIW, Analog type 34 works very nicely when detecting differences in resistance. I use this approach -- distinct resistor values to determine a selector switch setting -- as part of my HVAC control.

Holy thread revival, I know....
 
You wouldn't happen to have a range of resistance that you are using would you? 0 to 100 ohm, 1000 ohm, 10,000 ohm , etc...?