Pre-Elk Install...

[drvnbysound]

I just received the Elk M1GSYS4 w/ the KP2 keypad (thanks to vettemanv8). I currently have an Ademco panel with a keypad in the kitchen and I would also like a second keypad in our MBR. I was just looking at the various keypads on the Elk site, and besides the touch screen, I really dont see much difference between the other keypads other than number of characters, or number of custom function buttons. Is there something else that I am missing? I dont know if there is a better way or place to compare them.

I like the idea of the touch screen keypad, with it's additional functionality, but I really don't care much for the idea of having to go to the wall mounted panel to control lighting, etc. I would much rather be able to lay in bed (or sit on the couch) and do it through a hand-held device (e.g. iPod Touch, Droid, etc. with appropriate apps to interface with the Elk). I would likely only really use the wall mounted keypads to arm/disarm or check system status (e.g. if alarming, where did the event occur).

As I prepare for the installation, I will likely have other product questions, and will keep them posted here in this thread. I do have other questions, but for now I will leave it with one thing at a time. Thanks in advance, as I know you Cocooners will come through with info

 

[tmbrown97]

Of the keypads, my personal favorite is the KP2. The original KP does have 6 function buttons instead of 4 and has a thermostat built in; the KP2 does not... but the KP2 has a flush mount option you can get to flushmount it in the wall and it looks pretty good. Also the KP2's back boxes (flush and surface mount) both have the option of installing an SP12 speaker in them. You basically break off the plastic faceplate they ship with and they screw right into the back box. I like having the speakers inside the keypads rather than just running a central one in the house - it gives a nice effect when you're interacting with the alarm to have the sound come from right there.

The touchscreens aren't bad but they're considerably more expensive than the regular keypads and for what you're talking about you'll probably want just the keypad on the wall and either ElkDroid or eK+ depending on which phone/tablet platform you like.

 

[drvnbysound]

Of the keypads, my personal favorite is the KP2. The original KP does have 6 function buttons instead of 4 and has a thermostat built in; the KP2 does not... but the KP2 has a flush mount option you can get to flushmount it in the wall and it looks pretty good. Also the KP2's back boxes (flush and surface mount) both have the option of installing an SP12 speaker in them. You basically break off the plastic faceplate they ship with and they screw right into the back box. I like having the speakers inside the keypads rather than just running a central one in the house - it gives a nice effect when you're interacting with the alarm to have the sound come from right there.

The touchscreens aren't bad but they're considerably more expensive than the regular keypads and for what you're talking about you'll probably want just the keypad on the wall and either ElkDroid or eK+ depending on which phone/tablet platform you like.

Thanks for the info. The idea of the thermostat built-in is nice, but I have a single-floor home with a single-zone HVAC, so it wouldn't be all that useful in my case.

I'll probably just pick up another KP2.

 

[drvnbysound]

So the next question I have is related to the WGL Rain8 products, as I plan to purchase one to tie in sprinklers (and yes I have read that some people are doing this directly, via relays). I purchased a CQC license a few months back, so I assume I have the option to tie it either into the Elk panel or the CQC machine. Can anyone comment on which may be preferred and for what particular reason? Also knowing that I do plan to run UPB devices, would it be better to go with the UPB model or the RS232? Note, that I do understand that if I went with the RS232 model and connect direct to the Elk it would also require a XSP.

 

[tmbrown97]

I don't know enough about CQC so the others will have to speak up there... Personally I'm one of the people who went with the M1 relays - using an M1XOVR in the garage... the added bonus is it gives me relays for other things, like garage door control, etc.

If you go the UPB route, you don't have to deal with running a wire for serial to the sprinkler controller; it's a tradeoff though with the different options. With the UPB, you'll need a PIM for the Rain8 as well as either CQC or the Elk (I'm using Elve and I wanted to keep the Elk's functionality too, so I actually run 2 PIM's - one for the Elk and one for Elve). With Serial you need an XSP for the Elk.

The nice thing about running the sprinklers through the Elk is that you can have the really important stuff on a hardware controller (how bad would that suck if your grass died because your HA computer died and it took you a week to fix it?). I'm not sure if CQC offers a more advanced driver though - I would think that'd be the deciding factor. Of course with UPB you can have either/both control it if you use multiple PIM's. Or in my case, since I used relays - anything that talks to the elk can control it - I just tell it to turn the elk's outputs on/off on a schedule. It's also great for troubleshooting when I can walk around with eK+ on the iphone and test the zones one by one from outside... but you should get some form of that from any system you choose.

 

[Neurorad]

I have plans for a flush mount surge protector (prob Leviton or similar) to replace my garage outlet, to help reduce the likelihood of a surge damaging the irrigation controller or a surge coming into the house from the controller (and attached exterior valve cables).

Not sure if that would adversely affect UPB signals.

I think many controllers have surge protection built-in.

 

[Ira]

Why not allow both CQC and the M1G to control your irrigation system? I'm almost finished (said that a few months ago, too) with a my system that will allow me to control the irrigation system using the M1G (via M1XOVR relays), a PC (using CQC or McsSprinklers), or the original Hunter Pro-C. It's an expensive setup (haven't added all the costs up yet, and don't want to), and takes up a 28" Elk enclosure, but the coolness factor will be high. Only one system can be "in control" at a time, and the system in control can be selected from either a three position toggle switch near the enclosure, or from the M1G (again, using relays). Since CQC can communicate with the M1G, CQC can also set which system is in control.

When CQC or McsSprinklers is in control, the valves will be operated by a RS232 Rain8NetPro. The RS232 connection is plugged into a serial-to-ethernet converter so that I can "see" the Rain8NetPro from anywhere on the network.

One thing that someone else brought up in the past...if I need to have an irrigation guy come over and do some work, I can easily put the Hunter Pro-C in control for him to do his work.

 

[drvnbysound]

Ehh, I have a fairly small irrigation system (currently only 4 zones). I have done a decent amount of irrigation work in the past, so I will likely remove my Hunter controller and store it away for when I do decide to move and re-install it - taking the Rain8 device with me

I suppose to just need to figure out what interface I want to use to control and re-program from.

I just checked the download pages for the ElkDroid and the eKeypad Pro. I see that they are built for the Droid and iPlatform, respectively. Other than that, are there any functionality differences?

 

[potts.mike]

Ehh, I have a fairly small irrigation system (currently only 4 zones). I have done a decent amount of irrigation work in the past, so I will likely remove my Hunter controller and store it away for when I do decide to move and re-install it - taking the Rain8 device with me

I suppose to just need to figure out what interface I want to use to control and re-program from.

I just checked the download pages for the ElkDroid and the eKeypad Pro. I see that they are built for the Droid and iPlatform, respectively. Other than that, are there any functionality differences?

CQC has a sweet driver that allows for the system to take in weather data and calculate how much water is actually needed. I have not implemented it yet but everyone that has seems to be really happy with it.

http://charmedquark.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=8578

 

[drvnbysound]

Thanks for that link... I will definitely check that out.