New Elk M1 Gold Install - Enclosure/Rack Recommendation

[ccmichaelson]

I'm about to pre-wire a 6,000 sq foot home with at least two dozen motion sensors + door/window sensors.  I know the standard 14" enclosure isn't going to work/fit so should I purchase a 28" enclosure or use part of my A/V rack?  Any pro's/con's of each (e.g. enclosure vs/ rack) would be appreciated!

 

[sda]

How do you plan on mounting all the extra XIN cards in the AV rack?   Duct tape?

 

[ccmichaelson]

How do you plan on mounting all the extra XIN cards in the AV rack?   Duct tape?

 
First install bro...  I assume the enclosure has all the right holes for adding elk-specific components to it.  Just thought it would be nice to have everything inside my A/V rack(s) but I guess I'll stick with the enclosure inside the studs/wall and just route wires accordingly between the enclosure and rack.

 

[tmbrown97]

In my opinion the Elk's security-related components should live in their own rack separate from anything else.  It can be right next to your AV rack or wherever makes sense, and you run an ethernet cable back to your switch.  The AV rack however can be great for everything else.  The 28" is a good size.  The 14" can work too if you're good about using the vertical mounts but for a tinkerer its nice to have the extra space.
 
Now purely technically speaking, if you really wanted to make your Elk work in an AV rack, that'd be kinda fun - if I had to do it for some reason, I'd probably grab a drill and the same vertical standoffs and just custom drill the shelf - or better yet a drawer.  

 

[drvnbysound]

Something else to consider is that you could split the install up a little bit too... What I mean by that is, you can have a 14" can in some other section of the home (e.g. above closet door) with a XIN that takes some of the sensors; if the sensor list includes motions you would need a source for powering them to, such as the P212.

 

[sda]

First install bro...  I assume the enclosure has all the right holes for adding elk-specific components to it.  Just thought it would be nice to have everything inside my A/V rack(s) but I guess I'll stick with the enclosure inside the studs/wall and just route wires accordingly between the enclosure and rack.

Sorry.   Baby backs were ready and the race was supposed to be starting.
 
I wanted to add that you should be OK with a 28" Elk can.  Elk cans have the pre-drilled holes to mount the Elk-SWGs (card carriers). 
With the 28" can, you can install a receptacle in the bottom so you don't need to plug in the transformer elsewhere.
I actually used a 28" can for the main board, battery, xep, rb, dbh.  The stock 14" can is below where all the XIN boards live.
 
You could try and mount the can in a rack but its going to chew up a lot of real estate.  If you have the space and can dedicate a whole rack, go for it.  Shouldn't be hard to fab some crossbars and bolt the can to them.    I wouldn't want to leave the alarm system components out in the open, even if it was in an equipment closet.
 
You're probably going to need extra power.   Lots of threads here about the Elk P212 and other (i.e. Altronix) power supplies.
 
What about glass break sensors?
 
You should really think through your power and wiring routes in the can.   If you connect all the motion detectors in the main can, you're going to have 24 12v and 24 ground wires to connect together somehow.

 

[tmbrown97]

Something else to consider is that you could split the install up a little bit too... What I mean by that is, you can have a 14" can in some other section of the home (e.g. above closet door) with a XIN that takes some of the sensors; if the sensor list includes motions you would need a source for powering them to, such as the P212.

I've done this in a couple houses now... the main components are in the central location with a "sub panel" in the garage to handle sprinklers, garage open/close and sensors, and any other LV stuff I want to branch off there (even halloween decoration triggers).  I found the garage to be the perfect place for the 14" cans that come in the kits.

 

[Del91574]

Something else to consider is that you could split the install up a little bit too... What I mean by that is, you can have a 14" can in some other section of the home (e.g. above closet door) with a XIN that takes some of the sensors; if the sensor list includes motions you would need a source for powering them to, such as the P212.

For a new build or fitout, I wouldn't recommend doing this. Shooting yourself in the foot for any future changes/modifications if the next M-1000 or what have you doesn't support the topology or cable run.
 
Unless construction dictates such a split or you're adding a ton of outputs remotely, I'd pull all back to the head end.
 
In the case of the M1, you can really fit a very large system into a single 28" can, the only item to pay attention to is where to put the slack and cable routing. The only limitations are the battery size/location in proximity to the panel and if any supplementary supplies are needed
 
If you were attempting to mount the equipment in a rack, a couple of 14" cans on glides/slides would be the way to go. You'd have to provide strain relief for the cable as it exits the wall. Supplementary supplies would need to have thermal consideration for the heat sinks. Altronix makes rack mount supplies. We've used them before with the rack mount versions of the access panels we use.