Elk M1 planning

[SteinyD]

I have an ISY99i Pro and a number of Insteon lighting controls and keypads in and around my home. I also use MobiLinc on our iPads and iPhones for manual interaction with the lights.

 

We are about to embark on some home renovations and window replacement. I am now considering a security system and would like to integrate it with the ISY and user interaces i already have for a somewhat seemless integration. I really don't want to do a wired contact installation as I don't want to drill into the new windows for installation. For all contacts I would like to go wireless for doors and windows.

 

So that I don't ask a number of questions that have already been answered, is there a planning guide somewhere that could help me understand what the M1 kits come with and what I would need to add to it in order to manage 35 windows, 2 garage doors and 6 entry doors, arm/disarm pads at 2-3 locations, M1 integration to ISY via router cat5 connection, connection to VoIP for dial out, ability to control the M1 from outside the home, integration with cameras (camera suggestions please), and anything else I haven't yet thought of.

 

If no planning guides, I look to the experts in the forum to assist a newbie to integrated alarm systems!

 

Thank you in advance for your assistance and patience with my basic questions that are sure to follow.

 

Regards,

David

[apostolakisl]

A few answers.

 

1) There are no kits that include the window/door contacts. You will buy these separate. Kits will tell you exactly what they have and that is typically the main unit, keypads, battery, enclosure, and usually that's it.

 

2) I understand not wanting to drill your windows, but if the walls are open wired is a better option. Plus most of your nicer wireless options are drilled into the frame of the window. If not, you have to mount those things on the surface where they are visible and not all that attractive. They just look like afterthoughts. Plus you have to replace the batteries and they are much more expensive.

 

3) Don't forget smoke detectors.

 

4) You need the m1xep for internet activities.

 

5) So far there is no ISY/Elk integrated software for your iphones or whatever. There are some pretty good Elk controllers that will also control lights via the Elk interface and thus indirectly controls ISY. eKeypad is one example. myKeypad is another. I suspect in time, something like mobile linc pro will add in all the Elk functionality via ISY. The Elk controllers control Insteon lights using Elk's interface which requires copying setups over from ISY to the Elk and is a bit limited but works OK.

 

6) Voip is not recommended for any alarm system to call central station. It might work, but it is not considered to be a reliable solution. I use cellular for my Elk to call central station. It is tamper proof (at least from anywhere except at my Elk control board) and extremely reliable. It requires a cellular adapter like an hai c3 unit and a gsm card from att or tmobile at about $10/mo. I use nextalarm for monitoring and highly recommend them.

 

7) I believe you will want to use IP cameras to integrate the systems. I don't have my cameras integrated and haven't tried. I access my cameras via their own dedicated software.

 

Garage door control is best done by running wires from your Elk directly to the motor. You connect the wires to the same place the two leads from the door opener button wires on the motor. An Elk relay can then be used to short the wires and activate the doors. This of course means you need to buy an Elk relay board. Garage door monitoring is usually done with a contact that is made especially for garage doors. If you want to be fancy, you might use multiple contacts that sense when the door is open all the way and closed all the way with the more or less accurate assumption that if it is not at one or the other then it is currently moving. Detecting that it is actually moving and which direction is much more tricky but possible.