Wiring my strobe to M1G

[newalarm]

I am trying to wire my strobes to my M1G and I guess i am a little confused by the relay No/nc and how it would be connected. Does this sound right:
 
Put the strobe on output 3. One wire on common, one on NO. Then right a rule that says something like: if alarm goes off/is activated, the switch output 3.
 
Nothing needs to be done on Output 2 except maintain the resistor (I am currently not using this output).
 
Is that correct?
 
Apologies is this is too basic a question but i am still learning about relays.
 
 

 

[video321]

2 things:

1. Wire Neg. to Neg. / Pos. to Comm. / NO to Pos. on the strobe. You want NO because the voltage should be switched on when you desire. Otherwise it will always flash when the relay is off.
2. You said "wire my strobes" as in plural. How many do you have and what power supply are they being connected to?

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

You need to switch a 12 volt source with the NO and C connections of that relay output.
 
The hot wire from a 12 volt source needs to go to the C and the NO will go to the positive lead of the strobe.
 
The negative lead of the strobe will go to the negative side of the 12 volt source.
 
Depending on the 12 volt source you are using (Elk AUX Outputs?) you will have to watch the overall current draw of the system as strobes tend to draw a lot of current.  Also consider how that strobe will be fused (is so desired).
 
There are also rule examples on Elk's site that will for instance, activate the strobe on an alarm; but, continue to flash until the system is disarmed (i.e. will not time out with the siren).  This is an excellent idea so someone will know trouble occurred before entering the premises, without being a nuisance to the neighbors.

 

[video321]

There are also rule examples on Elk's site that will for instance, activate the strobe on an alarm; but, continue to flash until the system is disarmed (i.e. will not time out with the siren).  This is an excellent idea so someone will know trouble occurred before entering the premises, without being a nuisance to the neighbors.

Just consider the possibility of the alarm running on battery while the strobe is constantly flashing away. I have mine set for 30 mins. to attract police/fire. After that my ext. siren will chirp when I get home, and before I enter the house, incase I didn't get the message about an alarm condition.

Also, don't use the rule "whenever any alarm cuts off" to set your strobe to - it doesn't work!

 

[newalarm]

I have two strobes. I have a house, with a separate garages that i plan to wire as a separate partition. I was hoping to put strobe on side of house, and one on garages, each controlled by rules based on what the alarm is. This was to draw attention by police or fire to specific location, avoiding a situation where they might come to house, think all is fine, and leave without checking garages (though of course this could be done by monitoring company.)
 
Anyway, max two strobes for now. they are elks. I think i can run those directly off of Output 3 (4amp max capacity?)
 
Thanks for the rule example, I will try to locate that (i don't remember seeing it).

 

[video321]

Anyway, max two strobes for now. they are elks. I think i can run those directly off of Output 3 (4amp max capacity?)

The relay is rated to handle 4A max, but the board will put out much less. Each stroble is rated for over 200mA, IIRC. You need to add everything up during an alarm condition to make sure the onboard PS can handle it.

 

[newalarm]

The relay is rated to handle 4A max, but the board will put out much less. Each stroble is rated for over 200mA, IIRC. You need to add everything up during an alarm condition to make sure the onboard PS can handle it.

 
Yes Sir. that is on my to do list. I installed a p212s so I have PLENTY of power. Now i need to make sure that it is well distributed among both power supplies.

 

[newalarm]

Finally got to this tonight and figured it out. Thanks for the help. I was confused since i thought output three actually produced voltage. I am looking to set it up so that if an alarm goes off, the strobe will keep flashing until we disarm it. Basically, so when we get home, we will know something happened.
 
The strobes say 'not for continuous use' on the back. How long can they go for? If we were on vacation and it took 4-8 hours for someone to disarm the system, would that damage the strobe?

 

[RichardU]

Also, don't use the rule "whenever any alarm cuts off" to set your strobe to - it doesn't work!

 
Could you explain that?
 
Here is what ELK says about strobes: http://www.elkproducts.com/activate_strobes_on_alarm.html
 
FWIW, I would not be worried about strobes running on occasion for 4-8 hours.

 

[video321]

The rule you quoted does not work (unless firmware addressed it). I was given this information from Brad @ Elk when I was having a few quirks with my panel. He said it was added to RP, but not recognized by the panel (I have no idea why they would do that?!?) Anyway, I changed my strobe to follow output 2 instead and everything worked.

 

[RichardU]

The rule you quoted does not work (unless firmware addressed it). I was given this information from Brad @ Elk when I was having a few quirks with my panel. He said it was added to RP, but not recognized by the panel (I have no idea why they would do that?!?) Anyway, I changed my strobe to follow output 2 instead and everything worked.

Do you mean when output 2 is on, your strobe is on? If so, how would that allow you to know about a timed-out alarm?

 

[video321]

I have rules using our keyfobs that would prevent us from going in the house without making us aware of an alarm condition (if we didn't get any messages on our phones). We enter/exit through the garage so the alarm would stay armed and the garage door would not open, plus the exterior siren would chirp and the strobe would start to flash. After a few seconds, a second press on the keyfob (within a timed window) would disarm the house and open the garage door if we should desire to enter. This protects separate individuals incase, for instance, my wife gets there and is notified of the alarm she would leave immediately. If she couldn't get a hold of me for any reason and I came home I would be greeted with the same siren chirp and flashing strobe.
 
Me, personally, I chose not to have a strobe flashing for what could be a very long time.

 

[RichardU]

That sounds like a good plan. I don't use keyfobs, but I can detect the presence of someone arriving at home. Maybe I'll switch mine around.

 

[video321]

FWIW, I would not be worried about strobes running on occasion for 4-8 hours.

I forgot to comment on this as well. Another reason I don't have the strobe flashing until the alarm is disarmed is if the power goes out. I wouldn't want the strobe running down the battery. As slim chance that may be, I'd rather not take it.

 

[SteveInNorCal]

I have rules using our keyfobs that would prevent us from going in the house without making us aware of an alarm condition (if we didn't get any messages on our phones). We enter/exit through the garage so the alarm would stay armed and the garage door would not open, plus the exterior siren would chirp and the strobe would start to flash. After a few seconds, a second press on the keyfob (within a timed window) would disarm the house and open the garage door if we should desire to enter. This protects separate individuals incase, for instance, my wife gets there and is notified of the alarm she would leave immediately. If she couldn't get a hold of me for any reason and I came home I would be greeted with the same siren chirp and flashing strobe.
 
Me, personally, I chose not to have a strobe flashing for what could be a very long time.

I'm just starting to learn to program my M1G. Could you share more details of the rules you wrote? This sounds like an excellent approach.