ELK M1 SECURITY SYSTEM

Community Playground General Discussions
1

Hi ,

Has anyone integrated the ELK M1 security system to their vera ?
Looks like it’s new, and it’s z-wave compatible.

I’m thinking about getting something like that for my home. I still wonder if it’s a good idea to integrate a security system to vera. I’m sure some/a lot of you guys did it already.

Any feed back, and tricks on what you wish you did, or what you wish you did not ?

Thank you

2

very interested in this as well, I have an ELK M1 gold ready for install on Aug 16 and the dealer advised me of the hard wire ethernet device I would so much rather the Z wave interface.

3

I’m ok for the hard wired part to VERA, but I am most likely looking for something that I can manage FROM vera… I don t have too much time to decide though. If I can’t find crap, I’ll go with ADT…

4

The other options are the paradox systems or the DSC powerseries panels.

See this thread for some more details: http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=3931.0

I’m about to purchase one of the above; both are currently supported which is not something I could confirm about the ELK solution.

5

I have been considering the ELK M1 Gold as well.

It apparently handles zwave with this interface configured as a secondary controller:
http://www.elkproducts.com/products/m1/M1XZW.htm

Anyone have any experience with this interface ?

6

Strangely / jkw,

Let me know how it works for you.
I’ll buy my alarm system in the next month or so.

I just bought 2 HVAC thermostats.
http://www.smarthome-products.com/p-1249-trane-tzemt400ab32ma-z-wave-thermostat.aspx

Next step is 2 electric garage door opener:
http://www.waynedaltonstore.com/product/741714109046.html

Then I’ll take care of the alarm system. I’m hoping by then someone will have setup something correct :slight_smile:

Thanks guys !

7

By the way I won’t be doing the Alarm for about a month or so but am more siding with the DSC because of price and simplicity mainly.

By the way, the bad news is the Garage door opener despite being listed as a “Zwave” device, isn’t actually what it appears to be and you cant open/close the door with it. The good news is that if you do want to open or close a door then its easy to do with with either a Zwave relay or a modified appliance module and a door/window sensor!..

The unattended opening/closing of doors is some sort legal or certification issue I believe?!

8

I’m also interested in getting the ELK M1 security system to integrate with Vera.

I’m almost ready to pull the trigger on Vera, but I want to have the home security part of the equation figured out first.

9

So what is making you guys favor the the ELK alarms over something like the Paradox or the DSC stuff thats already supported? I don’t know much about Alarms, other than I know its something else I need to add to my growing arsenal of toys and things that can be controlled from Vera and SQremote…And all the more important, the more toys that I add in case of theft etc :slight_smile:

10

1st off sorry about all the typos in my original post corrected it now :).

I sent Elk an email and this is what they advised…

[i]Subject: RE: M1XZW - Elk M1 Series Z-Wave Interface and Micasa Verde

Good morning Chris,

Does the Mi Casa Verde have the ability to replicate or transfer the Z-Wave Data to a “Secondary Controller”? If so then the should work to transmit Z-Wave Signals.[/i]

I have no clue on Verdea does anyone know if this is possible or what it means…

11

Hi Strangely,

I am not sure if it was just a sales pitch the shop/installer I am using for the Alarm told me not even to consider the other systems (which he carries as well) he advised the Elk is a far superior system almost bullet proof in his opinion. He advised the Elk M1 Gold gives the customer full ability to add/upgrade the unit in more ways then other units.

He also mentioned the sensors and other components that work with the ELK are the best around. i.e GE crystal contact shock sensors.

12

[quote=“chrish8, post:10, topic:166229”][i]Subject: RE: M1XZW - Elk M1 Series Z-Wave Interface and Micasa Verde

Good morning Chris,

Does the Mi Casa Verde have the ability to replicate or transfer the Z-Wave Data to a “Secondary Controller”? If so then the should work to transmit Z-Wave Signals.[/i]

I have no clue on Vera does anyone know if this is possible or what it means…[/quote]

It means that Vera can work with another controller on it’s Z-Wave net.

Vera (and almost every controller I have tried.) can replicate Z-Wave data.

There is a primary controller, that controls the Z-Wave net, and one or more secondary controllers that learn the net configuration from the primary.

Regards
Morten

13

[quote=“mhn, post:12, topic:166229”]It means that Vera can work with another controller on it’s Z-Wave net.

Vera (and almost every controller I have tried.) can replicate Z-Wave data.

There is a primary controller, that controls the Z-Wave net, and one or more secondary controllers that learn the net configuration from the primary.

Regards
Morten[/quote]

so does this mean the 2 units will work seemlessly? My main concern would be to use the Mi Casa to set scenes and turn on/off the Elk alarm.

If there would be any issues I would just play it safe and go with the ethernet interface for the Elk for now.

14

Hi Strangely,

I am not sure if it was just a sales pitch the shop/installer I am using for the Alarm told me not even to consider the other systems (which he carries as well) he advised the Elk is a far superior system almost bullet proof in his opinion. He advised the Elk M1 Gold gives the customer full ability to add/upgrade the unit in more ways then other units.

He also mentioned the sensors and other components that work with the ELK are the best around. i.e GE crystal contact shock sensors.[/quote]Sounds a bit sales pitchy. That being said, with the price difference then it wouldn’t surprise me! Got to be worth a lot as it has “Gold” in the name :slight_smile:

15

It means that Vera and Elk can control the same devices.

I don’t know if Vera can control the ELK controller. I have never tried something like that.

That part properly need another mail to Elk. :slight_smile:

16

yup, in many ways the Elk is like a Vera, except that the ZWave bit is an optional extra in the Elk. Both can control ZWave bits around your house, but just as Vera [itself] isn’t ZWave controllable, I doubt that the Elk is either… so someone would [likely] have to write a plugin in both worlds to “mutually” expose services between Vera and the Elk… at least for non-ZWave services (like the Elk’s alarm features).

At least, that’s what I understand from my reading a few months ago…

17

Paradox or DSC it is then. I like the idea of having it wired, and not having to use use Zwave for this!

18

@strangely, the Elk (if integrated with Vera) would be wired, connected over RS-232, or maybe Ethernet (depending upon your defn of “Wired”)… but you’ll still need a driver to get them talking :wink:

19

Hi ,

wwwoohhhaaa… Talking about garage doors. I specifically had the garage doors redone WITHOUT any motor thinking that the waynedalton opener. Does anyone have something compatible with zWave !?

20

@simon templar Afraid not, just fit a regular opener and then mod it with a relay and door sensor. Easy and cheap!