I want to buy an Elk system

[G W]

I am in the process of building out my basement. While I have access to the floor above I want to add an Elk system.

I'm looking for advice and suggestions on which system, kit, model to buy and where to buy from.

I'll be wiring 23 windows and 12 doors to start.

 

 

EDIT:  This is what I ordered.

 

A BIG Thank You to Scott, @Scottmichaelj for his help and and suggestions. I could not have done this without his guidance.

I also ordered a nifty little device, at the suggestion of Scott, called Web Power Switch from Amazon  http://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html 

 

ELK M1GKS M1 Gold Control Kit (No Enclosure)

ELK-M1XRFTW Two-way wireless transceiver

ELK 6050 ELK Wireless Smoke Detector

ELK 6010 Elk Keyfob

ELK M1XEP Ethernet Port from Data Bus Expander/Interface

ELK M1XIN Input Expander, 16 Zone

ELK M1XOVR Expander,16 Output,8Voltage/8Relays

ELK M1DBH Data Bus Hub for CAT5e/CAT6 wiring.

ELK P212S Power Supply, 12VDC, 2 AMP Supervised Remote Power Supply and Battery Charger

ELK SWB28 28" Structured Wiring Box, Hinged

ELK SWP4 Multi Purpose Adapter Plate, 4" - 6.44"W x 4"H x .5"D

ELK SWS Structured Wiring Battery Shelf

ELK SWNS1 Standoffs for Circuit Boards,10Pack

ELK SWNSL Snap Lock rivets/plungers, 10 Pack

ELK SWG Circuit Board Glides, 2 Pack

ELK M1KPAS Elk Single Gang Decora Keypad

ELK M1BBK2 ELK M1KP2 Flushmount box

ELK 930` Elk 930 Doorbell and Telephone Ring Detector

[Scottmichaelj]

I am in the process of building out my basement. While I have access to the floor above I want to add an Elk system.

 

I'm looking for advice and suggestions on which system, kit, model to buy and where to buy from.

 

I'll be wairing 23 windows and 12 doors to start.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Simple M1, Two way wireless (sensors and/or motions/smoke detectors/glass breaks) if not prewired, XEP for connection to ISY and outside, RTW two way wireless receiver. Let me know if you have any other questions happy to answer/help in anyway I can.

 

Edit: You can buy from anyone who has it cheap or PM and I can get you setup. Right now theres a deal on kits for resellers Ill be happy to pass on to you.

 

Wired stuff I like Bosch for motion and Interlogix for glass breaks and garage door protection. There is also wireless GE outdoor sensors and heat detector for a garage using an Elk GE receiver. If you want GE and Elk two way wireless then you need both wireless receivers.

[MWareman]

As above!

 

Also, while you have the basement ceilings open, consider the 'Sure Action' pulsor sensors. They sense stress in the floor joists caused by someone walking above - way more reliable and pet immune than motion sensors - and invisible as well. I got many placed around my house during construction.

[G W]

As above!

 

Also, while you have the basement ceilings open, consider the 'Sure Action' pulsor sensors. They sense stress in the floor joists caused by someone walking above - way more reliable and pet immune than motion sensors - and invisible as well. I got many placed around my house during construction.

That's exactly an item I want. I need to get a few and test them in different locations.

 

Thank you.

 

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[G W]

Simple M1, Two way wireless (sensors and/or motions/smoke detectors/glass breaks) if not prewired, XEP for connection to ISY and outside, RTW two way wireless receiver. Let me know if you have any other questions happy to answer/help in anyway I can.

 

Edit: You can buy from anyone who has it cheap or PM and I can get you setup. Right now theres a deal on kits for resellers Ill be happy to pass on to you.

 

Wired stuff I like Bosch for motion and Interlogix for glass breaks and garage door protection. There is also wireless GE outdoor sensors and heat detector for a garage using an Elk GE receiver. If you want GE and Elk two way wireless then you need both wireless receivers.

On doors and windows, I want to use closed-loop wired sensors. Passive inferred for motion and heat in some areas. I have a good idea what I want, I just need and idea on what Elk setup.

 

I'll get with you later today.

 

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[WayneW]

I endorse Automated Outlet (great support), or another Elk authorized distributor.

 

similar discussions here: http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/29393-where-to-buy-elk-products/ and http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/28875-reputable-retailers/

[Scottmichaelj]

FWIW my company is an authorized reseller.

[G W]

Thank you for each of your replies.

 

The hard part now is deciding what equipment to add the the main system.

 

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[G W]

This is what I have ordered. Did I forget anything?

 

I updated the first post with what I ordered.

[DennisC]

Without knowing all of the devices you are installing it's hard to tell. You might want to check the circuit boards you are ordering. If I remember correctly, I think the guides come with most boards.

 

Also, if you buy one of the "kits" the battery might also be included.

 

Have you looked at the Navigator keypad? It is more attractive then the other keypad and it is much easier to use.

 

Dennis

[Scottmichaelj]

Without knowing all of the devices you are installing it's hard to tell. You might want to check the circuit boards you are ordering. If I remember correctly, I think the guides come with most boards.

 

Also, if you buy one of the "kits" the battery might also be included.

 

Have you looked at the Navigator keypad? It is more attractive then the other keypad and it is much easier to use.

 

Dennis

Dennis, the navigator keypad is super small, have you seen it in person? I think Gary would be better off buying a Amazon Kindle for $50 and rooting it. Then use an actual application. The navigation screen is so small and buttons are iffy if not pressed in the rights spots you get undesirable results. Then the buttons being so small...I don't recommend it. Everyone has their likes though. Just my two cents.

[DennisC]

Dennis, the navigator keypad is super small, have you seen it in person? I think Gary would be better off buying a Amazon Kindle for $50 and rooting it. Then use an actual application. The navigation screen is so small and buttons are iffy if not pressed in the rights spots you get undesirable results. Then the buttons being so small...I don't recommend it. Everyone has their likes though. Just my two cents.

We have 2 Elk systems and several Navigator keypads and have never had a problem pressing a button. What is nice is that everything is labeled and easy to find without having to remember its location.

 

But you are right, everyone likes something different.

[G W]

Tablets are getting so cheap so I plan to hardwire a few around the house. It should be easy for a tablet to control an Elk and Insteon.

 

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[DennisC]

That's true, but there are certain chores that are more convienent (at least for me) to complete from the keypad then by starting the RP software on a computer. For example, bus enrollment of devices, checking battery voltages, resetting smoke detectors, and even seeing which zone is in trouble (or violated). I find these things much easier to do on the Navigator rather then other keypads.

 

But I also understand everyone has there own opinions and that's fine.

[arw01]

House is not quite as open as yours, but I have a large portion with the doors open now and thinking I want to at least run the wires.

 

2 wire or 4 wire at the doors and the couple of windows I am worried about and have access to at the moment?

 

Will eventually want to tie into the ISY, get some real motion, but pet immunity would be good, but the dogs are small and only get on the back of everything

Scott, will drop you a pm as well.

 

Alan

[Scottmichaelj]

House is not quite as open as yours, but I have a large portion with the doors open now and thinking I want to at least run the wires.

 

2 wire or 4 wire at the doors and the couple of windows I am worried about and have access to at the moment?

 

Will eventually want to tie into the ISY, get some real motion, but pet immunity would be good, but the dogs are small and only get on the back of everything

 

Scott, will drop you a pm as well.

 

Alan

PM Replied to.

[G W]

I'm happy to report that after about 30 emails and a LOT reading and research, I have decided on the equipment.

 

I'll be purchasing a system next week.

 

 

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[kohai]

I'm happy to report that after about 30 emails and a LOT reading and research, I have decided on the equipment.

 

I'll be purchasing a system next week.

 

 

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I need to get around to doing this for my mother's vacation home.  There doesn't seem to be a serious installer locally for ELK that I have found.  I tried going directly to ELK to find an installer and they really don't know the installers as their equipment is sold through distributors to installers rather than from them directly (if I understood them correctly).

[kohai]

I'm happy to report that after about 30 emails and a LOT reading and research, I have decided on the equipment.

 

I'll be purchasing a system next week.

 

 

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Which sensors/brands/types did you go with?

[G W]

 

I'll be using these for doors and windows. I'm going hardwired on all perimeter security.

 

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[apostolakisl]

 

I'll be using these for doors and windows. I'm going hardwired on all perimeter security.

 

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Personally I like the contactors with screw down terminals.  It is faster than splicing and can easily be popped out after the fact and replaced without having to jam a splice through your little hole.  Also, you don't have to use any crimping tools or solder.  

 

In my house, I soldered every splice so as to never worry about oxidation or whatever from ruining a connection years down the road.  But you can see where I would have had a lot more work if were soldering every single contacter rather than just the much fewer connections where screw down wasn't an option.

 

This is the brand I used

 

https://www.alarmgrid.com/products/honeywell-944t

 

Sometimes I used the big magnet and sometimes the little magnet depending on the location.

[G W]

I want everything hidden. With these no one will know the doors are monitored and it's much harder to tamper with these.

 

It's all personal choice on my part.

 

Thank you for the link. I may use those in some areas as they are much easier to install and replace

 

Gary

 

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[apostolakisl]

How do you hide these?  Are you going to mount them from the backside of the door frame (prior to installing the door) and not expose to the surface?  I've never heard of doing that, but I suppose with a strong enough magnet you could.  Of course if it failed you would have a hell of time replacing it.

[G W]

You drill a 1/4" hole in the door for the magnet and 1/4" hole in the frame. Slide both into place and you're done. I've been using these for 45 years and never known one to fail.

 

You can even recess them enough to use a little painters putty and paint over them.

 

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[arw01]

I'm happy to report that after about 30 emails and a LOT reading and research, I have decided on the equipment.

 

I'll be purchasing a system next week.

 

 

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so what are you getting Gary, might help me cut down on the poor emails to Scott