erfahnoe Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 I have an Elk M1EZ8 alarm system that I want to connect via my LAN to my ISY 994i for Insteon lighting control. I primarily want to access the EZ8 system arming status for lighting logic in the 994i. I have no need for all the capability of the M1XEP - I have no intention of connecting the alarm system to the Internet. Is it possible to use a simple Ethernet-232 adapter connected to the EZ8 to do this? I do use ElkRP for programming the alarm system via a COM port when necessary but I plan to swap the serial connection to do this. Any problem with that? I look forward to your suggestions, thank you.
shannong Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 The M1XEP ($180) is barely more than an RS-232 adapter. If you open the box you can see it has Digi parts (the most prolific RS-232 adapter company) on the board. With it and the Elk module for ISY, you don't need to do any special programming. Just write ISY programs on any event and pick the action for Elk you want from a drop down. Plus with the M1XEP you can use the ElkRP across the network to manage it without physically walking over to connect your laptop. Technically, you could buy as naked RS-232 Ethernet adapter for $140 - $180. Then write all your own programming with the ISY Network Resources and you MIGHT get that to work. Or put something between the ISY and adapter on an external machine to translate Network Resources in native Elk commands. A lot of work and ifs to save a few dollars with a lot less functionality and a lot more ongoing maintenance issues. So basically my suggestion is buy the M1XEP.
erfahnoe Posted January 6, 2017 Author Posted January 6, 2017 The M1XEP ($180) is barely more than an RS-232 adapter. If you open the box you can see it has Digi parts (the most prolific RS-232 adapter company) on the board. With it and the Elk module for ISY, you don't need to do any special programming. Just write ISY programs on any event and pick the action for Elk you want from a drop down. Plus with the M1XEP you can use the ElkRP across the network to manage it without physically walking over to connect your laptop. Technically, you could buy as naked RS-232 Ethernet adapter for $140 - $180. Then write all your own programming with the ISY Network Resources and you MIGHT get that to work. Or put something between the ISY and adapter on an external machine to translate Network Resources in native Elk commands. A lot of work and ifs to save a few dollars with a lot less functionality and a lot more ongoing maintenance issues. So basically my suggestion is buy the M1XEP. I think you are right if my goal to exploit the capabilities of the ISY and the Elk M1 without getting lost in the weeds. However, there may be simpler ways to get only alarm system status into the ISY - I have an EZIO2X4 on hand. I currently have Insteon lighting control on my M1EZ8 via an M1XSP and serial PLM. I'm thinking of migratiing most of the lighting control to an ISY along with the PLM so I can check on the the house and control lighting, thermostats, etc. remotely without exposing the alarm system. I had a M1XEP fail on another M1G system after 2 years - it was not replaced since the owner felt it was not that useful. A simple Ethernet to 232 TTL converter can be had for about $25 but it doesn't have the SSL/TLS and other capabilities of the Digi Connect ME. I suspect that the M1XEP has capabilities beyond simple serial data transfer. I note that the M1XEP requires enrollment in the M1 system, can you explain the this? Thanks
shannong Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 2017 I suspect that the M1XEP has capabilities beyond simple serial data transfer. I note that the M1XEP requires enrollment in the M1 system, can you explain the this? I note that the M1XEP requires enrollment in the M1 system, can you explain the this? Thanks Any expansion device for the M1 I'm familiar needs to be enrolled for use. The M1XEP has more than a basic IP-to-Serial stack, hence the PCB with other chipsets on board beyond just the Digi pieces. For example, it used to host a web server for status of the alarm accessible from any browser, although that was removed. If you look at the M1XEP setup in ElkRP, you'll see it's other capabilities. So not, not just a simple IP2Serial converter.
shannong Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 2017 I currently have Insteon lighting control on my M1EZ8 via an M1XSP and serial PLM. I'm thinking of migratiing most of the lighting control to an ISY along with the PLM so I can check on the the house and control lighting, thermostats, etc. remotely without exposing the alarm system. If the only goal is for the ISY to know if the M1 is armed or not, you could have the M1 turn on/off an Insteon device (using the existing M1XSP/PLM) based on alarm status, such as a KPL button. Then an ISY program could toggle a variable based on the status of that button. Then you write lighting programs on the ISY that are triggered by that variable.
sfg Posted January 23, 2018 Posted January 23, 2018 How about this? https://rayshobby.net/first-impression-on-hlk-rm04-serial-to-wifi-module/
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.