Personally I think the 1RT is the better way to go, but if you already have the 150RT, it basically comes down to if you want the speakers and siren tones in sync. If you use the 150RT, just be sure to do the millimiser mod. I wondered if you could modify the 150RT to bypass the siren driver and drive the speaker instead, but for the price of a new speaker, I just ordered that while I was ordering some additional accessories.
Basically the 1RT and the 150RT are the same thing, with the same speaker - but the 150RT includes the siren driver so you apply voltage. The 1RT skips the siren driver and uses the one built into the M1.
Also, for either one, you will want to use 6 conductors out to the speaker/siren enclosure - figuring 1 pair to monitor the tamper contacts, 1 pair to drive the siren (voltage or speaker), and one pair to drive the strobe... though you could probably make due with 4 if that's what's there as long as the gauge is adequate if using the siren by using 1 ground, then 1 tamper, 1 positive for the siren and a positive for the strobe. Not sure if you could get away with that on the speaker, but there's a decent chance... but 6 wires would be much better.
And of course with outputs, there's options too. Depends on if you're just trying to add this, or if you're making room for other enhancements later. There are 10 voltage outputs off the M1 board, so if some are used, you could do individual relays like the Elk 912 - that's an inexpensive little relay, so you could order just what you need... or use the M1RB to turn 8 of those voltage leads into 8 relays so you have room to grow - it's a simple connector between them that makes it really easy. If the voltage leads are used or you just want more output options, then you can go with the M1XOVR - that gives you the absolute most flexibility by giving you 16 additional outputs, 8 relays and 8 flying leads (which can again go to an M1RB for 8 more relays if you want) - it's just about the most expensive of the options. Depends on if you want to spend $8 or $150 to accomplish this and what else you may wish to do in the future.
The M1XOVR has the added benefit of working off the RS485 bus, so it can be located anywhere with just a piece of Cat5 linking it back to the panel. For instance, here's how I am going with mine:
- Main Cabinet, Output 1 to speakers - KP12's mounted behind the keypads and others around the home for even audio distribution
- Output 2 - Elk44 (same speaker that's in the 1RT)
- Output 3 - Piezo's (GE Screamers, round - cieling mount) throughout the house.
- Outputs 4-6 not used - only for two-way listen in, which I'm not doing.
- Outputs 7/8 - Could run a Elk912 relay off one of these for the strobe, but I don't have wiring run yet, so I may run those off the XOVR instead.. probably just 2 open relays for future use there in the closet
- Outputs 9-16 will be going to the Elk124 8-Channel Recordable Voice Module that's on order... this will be going to the same KP12 speakers, but lets me record in my own sounds for doorbell, phone ringing, and special tones (I'm using simple tones that are slightly different so I know which door was opened without needing voice), and can trigger any other voice announcement I want through the house speakers... Added bonus - independant volume, so it can be a little louder for the important notifications.
Then I have a Cat5 out to the garage, where there's an additional 14" can mounted on the wall (the one that came with the M1G, since I put the M1G in an elk 28" recessed can in the closet) with an M1XOVR and an M1RB giving me more outputs:
- Outputs 17/18 - Garage Doors
- Output 19 - Strobe (simple wiring off a 12V power supply to get the strobe outside... easier than running through the attic)
- Outputs 20/21 - spare until I think of something better
- Output 22 - Pool Fill (replaced manual valve with industrial sprinkler valve)
- Outputs 23-27 - Front sprinkler zones 1-5
- Outputs 28-32 - Rear sprinkler zones 1-5
Probably more info than you care about, but the point is - depending on what you're trying to accomplish in the long run, there are a lot of options... The best thing to do is figure out what your ideal end goals are, and with each incremental purchase, make sure it's going in the right direction. The more you know, the more you can plan how you want to set things up. The M1 is an incredibly flexible and powerful system - and I'm personally trying to run my whole house off it without needing additional software or PC's to run things...
