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I know this has been done before, but I didn't see anything recent, and maybe this will help someone. . Also, I am not an electrician, so I certainly am not recommending anyone attempt this. Problem: DirecTv's STB's have some sort of memory leak such that after 24-48hrs of using their USB...

Seems to overall be a great device. I installed this to replace a T2 tuner damaged by lightning. Thoughts: Pandora works very well with this thing. The Flash-based Windows app runs fine in Firefox. Local channels via Radiotime also work well. The browser-based configuration of the MPS4 is...

The strike happened about 2-3 weeks ago. Damage: 1-Elk M1G main control, "phone fault", noise on line whenever Elk is plugged into the RJ31X jack, control will not dial out. 2-No ALC devices can be controlled via the ELK-ALC interface 3-No comm with any of the four Aprilaire stats...

I tried to use the function of pressing EXIT while in stay mode to get a new exit timer, leave for work. It works, I get a new timer and can open the mudroom door (exit delay 1), but when I opened the overhead garage door (exit delay 2, forcearmable, bypassable), it alarms. Any way around this...

I clearly am a moron. (exit 1 60s, entry 1 255s, exit 2 255s, entry 2 255s) Garage scenario: sensors on both overhead doors (entry exit 2) sensors on windows (perimeter instant) sensor on door that leads from garage into the house ("mudroom") entry exit 1 the keypad in just inside the house...

Anyone have any ideas where I might find rack ears for this 3com switch? It is a Superstack 3 model 3c16980a. I've got a message in to 3com, have Googled the hell out of it.

I've got 3 UPS's harvested from a retiring cellphone station, along with their huge batteries (12v DC, 163AH, 120 lbs each). I am wondering if I should use the battery(ies) with the UPS's or if I should actually connect them directly to the Elk M1G and abandon the UPS. I can't think of a...

Here is my tentative parts list. I'm not so sure about power requirements, but I suspect I will need extra 12v DC current from an additional power supply. I am surface mounting the components in my (lockable) wiring closet, so no cans are planned. I do intend to punch down the cat5e from each...

My tentative plan is to terminate all my sensors on 66 blocks instead of directly on the Elk panel and/or M1XIN expanders. It just seems like it will be more flexible given that I will likely be changing the placement of things around a bunch. I am a tinkerer. I realize that the increased #...

I plan on using some of Monoprice's pre-made cat5e patch cables, which I understand are wired using 568B. The Data Bus Hub documentation instructions state to terminate the cat5 using 568A. Since the only difference is the orange and green pairs being reversed (and those are the leads that are...

I've been advised that it may not be smart. I was hoping to wire them with cat5e, use 4 conductors for the motion, then use the extras for the small Elk 32ohm speakers.

I've searched and read about this in other threads (for instance, here, here, and here), but I have a slightly different scenario. . The house is under construction. I have three large batteries: Marathon 155AH Absorbed Glass Mat (type of lead acid). Each weighs a good 120lbs or so. I also...

Beelzerob is writing a CQC driver for OnQ ALC lighting and has described all these cool ramp rates, features of the protocol. I am wondering if I should plan on using Elk or CQC to control my planned ALC switches. I know CQC can control the lighting through the Elk driver, but I dunno if the...

In my planning for my DIY home AV distribution and automation project, I had initally planned on Aprilaire 8870 thermostats controlled by CQC or Elk. Then I saw relatively inexpensive electric dampers and the gears started turning in my head. . . You know how it is, I'm sure. One controlled...

I tentatively plan to use hardwired lighting control in my new construction. (Probably On-q ALC, or some other "cat5 to each switch" solution). But the problem (in my mind) is desk lamps and other plug-in lamps. Even with Vantage and other higher-end solutions, I wouldn't think it possible...

My house plans call for the "front door" to be two 3080 wooden doors in a double-door configuration. Any ideas or experience installing an electric door strike in this setup (for instance one of these)? I presume it owuld have to be installed in one of the doors, so I'm not quite sure how the...

I just purchased these two racks from a local company advertising on Craigslist. The Compaq "Enterprise Storage Array 12000" is enclosed, though I believe I could remove the sides, doors, or both. (Note small LED's hidden behind the front upper left grill in next post). It is 78.8" 2" tall...

I know I will be berated for being a moron, but I am having trouble understanding conceptually the databus and its physical connections. I debated drawing out some schematics about my question, but here goes a verbose attempt first: Since the devices have no Ain / Aout, Bin / Bout, I cannot...

I am planning on touchscreens in my HA setup, but most of the models I've seen use USB instead of serial. All the USB over cat5 solutions I have seen are quite expensive. Any suggestions?

I have two Panasonic plasma displays that will eventually make it into our new construction (breaking ground any day now). Can I just use cat5 as a long serial cable, connected to the correct pins? Or is there some sort of balun I need to use in order to get serial control from my wiring...