Need a little ELK-120 help

[auger66]

Looking for a little ELK-120 help--not part of an ELK system. The ELK website says they don't talk to end-users.

 

I wanted to get the ELK-120 to send different sounds (voice/siren) to a speaker. To control the four different sounds, I was going to use an EZIO40 with it’s four relays--perfect.

 

The ELK needs 2 amps, and the max current on the EZIO40 relays is .5 amps. I was going to wire the ELK per the last diagram (Voice Mode) in the instructions--constant 2 amp power to the ELK and use a 300ma transformer for a low-current trigger.

 

The problem is the ELK says the four triggers are current limited to 30ma in this configuration. And the EZIO40 can’t handle the 2 amps for just powering each of the four terminals.

 

Am I misunderstanding the 30ma current limit? I’m not sure how this really even works because they only show connecting the positive side.

 

Also, if anybody has tried to record using the mic on the ELK, how is the quality? The mic looks "economical."

 

Thanks.

 

http://www.elkproducts.com/_literature_63563/ELK-120v2_Instructions

 

http://www.simplehomenet.com/Downloads/EZIO4O%20Quick-start.pdf

[garybixler]

Hi

I use the ELK-124 to broadcast recorded wav files. I haven't used the microphone.

I think if you look at the pdf for the ELK-124 it may be a little more clear as how to hook it up to play recorded sound. http://www.elkproducts.com/_literature_ ... structions

I supply a constant 12 volts to the +12v and neg terminals with a 10amp power supply which also supplies 12 volts to other equipment. I then use an EZIO4O output relay to trigger the desired voice channel by connecting the relay between the +12v terminal and the voice channel. The relay only needs to be a momentary contact of 2 seconds or so to trigger the channel for playback. If you supply constant power to the +12v and neg the voice trigger channels only require the 30mA momentary contact.

Hope this is of some help.

Gary

[auger66]

Thanks. Yes, that diagram is a lot better for using a constant power supply. In one place the ELK-124 indicates, in the same configuration, the different channels draw 30mA rather than have a 30mA current limit. I was worried about smoking the ELK-120.

 

Are you using the same large power source to power the ELK and trigger through the EZIO40?

 

Edit:

Hmmm. Looking at SimpleHomeNet's website again. In one place it shows the max relay load at 30VDC/1A instead of the .5 amps in the guide. In that case the EZIO40 should be able to handle 12VDC/2A no problem. That would greatly simplify this by just doing away with the constant power configuration which is what I wanted anyway. I just didn't think the EZIO40 relays could handle that. I'll call them to tomorrow to make sure.

[garybixler]

Hi

Yes, I do use the 12v power supply to trigger the voice channels through the EZIO4O. Convenient to have one power supply for all 12 volt requirements. The only thing about not using the dedicated power supply is that you will need to keep the voice channel triggered for the same length of time as the recorded message. I just prefer using momentary triggers for the voice channels. I also found that if there were multiple triggers they will each play one after another. Not sure if that will work without the dedicated power supply. Also the ELK would only use the max current draw at full speaker volume.

[auger66]

SimpleHomeNet was friendly, but of no real help about the 12V amp load other than to confirm the relays are mechanical.

 

But, based on your experience, it doesn't look like it will be a problem over powering either device.

 

Thanks for your time.