Using variables in Elk M1 XEP email messages?

signal15

Senior Member
Is this even possible? For example, if the temp of my freezer exceeds a certain value, can I get the email sent to put the actual temp value in? For example:

"Temperature of basement freezer is ${temp}."

Or if the alarm goes off, is it possible to get it to tell me which zone was violated?
 
Is this even possible? For example, if the temp of my freezer exceeds a certain value, can I get the email sent to put the actual temp value in? For example:

"Temperature of basement freezer is ${temp}."

Or if the alarm goes off, is it possible to get it to tell me which zone was violated?

Nope. But a highly requested feature. Severely limits the Elks messaging capability.
 
Just a few points on this, my opinion...

- The M1 combined with some kind of supporting system is a very powerful combination. The M1 gives you "bulletproof" reliability partly, I think, because it has a distinct and limited role. What it does, it does superbly, and the features it lacks are rather readily compensated for by even a modest supplemental system. And there are many such systems with M1 drivers and support that can cover virtually any requirement. The M1 "ASCII Interface" allows for an astonishing level of interaction with and control over the M1.

- The trick is to know which capabilites to vest in the M1 and which to implement outside, and this entails some degree of "art" and judgment. In situations similar to yours, I have my M1 notify me by SMS and email of critical conditions, but I use an external system coupled to the M1 to provide the details, trends, history, etc.

- This arrangement also allows me to keep the M1 completely away from direct outside-world access, as it is fully hidden behind the firewall.

- At one time I thought that the M1 should be able to do (for example) analog voltage measurements, but with no math capability and no storage, what's the point? It excels as a security system, event manager, scheduler and controller, and I have never been disappointed with these functions.
 
I agree with you. It would still be nice to have a couple of these items. I haven't decided on a supplemental system yet, so there are some things I cannot yet do. I'm still installing sensors at this point. I just hit the 1000ft mark for wiring this weekend, and I'm not even half done with the Elk stuff. Then I have another 3-4k feet of ethernet and patches through a riser from the basement to the attic for future expansion. So I'll be busy for awhile with other things.

I am kind of interested to see where DomoTiga goes. Right now it's GTK based, but they are adding an ajax-y web interface to it which should be interesting. No Elk support yet, but it supports a ridiculous amount of other things.
 
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