Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Today I attached the Elk-M1XSP's to the structured wiring panel and plugged them into the Elk-M1DBH. I also built a Cat-5 wire for the Elk-M1XIN and plugged it into the Elk-M1DBH too.

I decided to locate the Aprilaire 8818 distribution panel on the wall, just below the wiring panel. I screwed it into the wall, leaving enough room for the Aprilaire 8811 protocol adapter which sits between the Elk-M1SXP and the 8818. While putting these components together, I realized that I need to purchase a power supply for the 8818 (why don't they ship the 8818 with a power supply!?!?). I connected the 8811 to the Elk-M1XSP with the DB-9 connector and cable supplied with the 8811.

When I had everything connected together, I powered on the Elk controller and asked it to search for devices on the RS-485 bus. It found all of the components I had hooked up. So far so good!

Monday, June 4, 2007

I picked up some cable fasteners from Fry's Electronics today. I used them to tidy up and secure the AC power cable for the Elk-M1Gold controller.

I also brought some 4-conductor wire, Cat-5 wire, RJ-45 plugs, and crimping tools with me and started connecting the various components together.

First, I connected the Elk-M1DBH to the Elk-M1Gold controller with the 4-conductor wire. The Elk-M1DBH sits on the RS-485 bus and acts like a hub.

Next, I built some Cat-5 cables to connect the Elk-M1DBH to the Elk-M1XSP's. I need to pick up some short #4 screws. I'll use them to attach the Elk-M1XSP circuit boards to their enclosures (without their covers) and then I'll use sticky tape to attach the enclosures to the structured wiring panel.

I configured one Elk-M1XSP to interface with the UPB lighting controls and set it to address #1 (device type 5). I configured the other Elk-M1XSP to interface with the Aprilaire thermostats and set it to address #2 (device type 5). I also configured the Elk-M1XIN to address #2 (device type 2 -- the Elk-M1Gold is address #1 by default).

From the M1G Installation and Programming manual:
Each data bus device is a specific "Device Type". Keypads are TYPE 1, Input (Zone) Expanders are TYPE 2, Output Expanders are TYPE 3, Serial Port Expanders are TYPE 5.... Every data bus device MUST have a unique "Address" setting within its type.

Friday, June 1, 2007

Today, I installed the Elk-M1DBH data bus hub into the structured wiring panel just below the controller. It gets screwed onto a mounting plate which snaps into the panel. I didn't have any 4-conductor wire, so I haven't hooked it up to the Elk controller yet. This component will connect -- via Cat-5 wire -- to Elk-M1XIN's (for additional security detectors) and Elk-M1XSP's (for lighting and thermostat control).

I also installed the Elk-M1XIN 16 zone input expander into the structured wiring panel. It gets installed vertically in the panel between a pair of plastic guides. I didn't have any Cat-5 wire with me either, so I couldn't connect it to the Elk-M1DBH.

I'll have to bring some wire with me next time!