ELK M1 Power Supply

[Jimbo55]

Hi all

I purchased the ELK M1 and naturally got the power transformer; only here in AUS it’s not
compatible.
Now would it be adequate to purchase a aftermarket power pack from say Jaycar though it’s rating
is 17VAC 1.25A is this going to be a problem being the the ELK power supply is 17 VAC 45VA.

The M1 Gold is sold in Australia under the Ness brand and there power supply comes with 17VAC 1.4A.

Before someone suggests why not just buy the M1 from Ness, well with current exchange rates I saved myself hundreds
of dollars, & got additional items buying from the U.S straight forward transaction Pay - Recieve with no hurdles to jump .

Please advise

 

[PaulD]

Would a power adapter be cheaper? Lots of adapters sold that allow 110V US devices to run on the available power in just about any country.

 

[Jimbo55]

Would a power adapter be cheaper? Lots of adapters sold that allow 110V US devices to run on the available power in just about any country.

Hey Paul

So your saying buy placing an adapter on the ELK U.S transformer I recieved with my
M1 system I could just plug it in a 240V outlet. Can the Transformer handle 240 VAC ?
is it limited to 110VAC only ?

 

[PaulD]

I do not know. All I know is that adapters are widely sold for use of US devices around the world. Suggest you brouse the web and see what is available.

 

[fleetz]

Hi James,

I gave you my advice previously about buying M1 OS. Ness support their products amazingly well. A few hundred I believe especially with this level of gear is well worth spending.

You will be up for a power supply 17V AC at 3 amps. 1.4 amps won't cut it. When you have your system totally configured and load up your cards and then allow for alarm power demand you will need all of the 3 amps. http://www.cbussales.com/product_info.php?...products_id=415 have them for $78 AUD and includes a battery and other bits you will probably use. FYI Australian regulations now mandate that security panels run from DC power supplies, energy effieciency reasons, the last Ness M1 firmware was up issued to support the panel running of DC power.

Where will you get your firmware update support from for your ELK M1? Be aware that the firmware is different as Ness and ELK support slightly different accessories, wireless for example Ness support their own wireless RX an TX. ELK support theirs. Be very careful as you will need local support at some point.

Goodluck

Fleetz

 

[apostolakisl]

I agree, 1.4 amps isn't going to be enough unless you are just running the bare minimum. 2.65 amps is what 45 VA is at 17 volts (45/17). You should look at all of the amperage specs from elk on each item you are putting on your system, add it all up, and get a power supply which covers you plus at least a little extra.

 

[Jimbo55]

Hi James,

I gave you my advice previously about buying M1 OS. Ness support their products amazingly well. A few hundred I believe especially with this level of gear is well worth spending.

You will be up for a power supply 17V AC at 3 amps. 1.4 amps won't cut it. When you have your system totally configured and load up your cards and then allow for alarm power demand you will need all of the 3 amps. http://www.cbussales.com/product_info.php?...products_id=415 have them for $78 AUD and includes a battery and other bits you will probably use. FYI Australian regulations now mandate that security panels run from DC power supplies, energy effieciency reasons, the last Ness M1 firmware was up issued to support the panel running of DC power.

Where will you get your firmware update support from for your ELK M1? Be aware that the firmware is different as Ness and ELK support slightly different accessories, wireless for example Ness support their own wireless RX an TX. ELK support theirs. Be very careful as you will need local support at some point.

Goodluck

Fleetz

Hi Fleetz,
Yes you gave me assistance previously and you were very helpful and I am very thankful. ( plan to pick your brain some more )
Fleetz I have already purchased the Elk M1GSYS4 includes Control + Transformer + M1KP Keypad + Battery + Speaker + RJ31X Jack & Cord +
14†x 14†Enclosure , Inc exchange rate delivered to my door - $ 740.00

Cbussale M1Gold 14" Kit $ 978.65 + keypad M1KP $323.40 + Speaker $46.20, plus shipping - $ 1,348.25. I just can’t justify paying close to double the price.

As for Ness I spoke to them & explained I have completed a security installers course many years ago and I'm in the process of chasing up my license when and if I received my license can I open a Trade cash account . Answer yes, but you will still have to have done a M1 Gold course with us before we will sell you that product as it’s a complex system. As I said in my post too many hurdles.
I came across The Accessories Kit you mention from Cbus, so what your saying is it will work but I need to upgrade the firmware for DC voltage which in turn is not compatiabl with my ELK M1 only the Ness M1 ? . If so Im back where I started

Thanks again Fleetz

 

[Jimbo55]

I agree, 1.4 amps isn't going to be enough unless you are just running the bare minimum. 2.65 amps is what 45 VA is at 17 volts (45/17). You should look at all of the amperage specs from elk on each item you are putting on your system, add it all up, and get a power supply which covers you plus at least a little extra.

So 45VA is really only 2.64 amps .Volt-amperes divided by voltage will give you amperage.

Now that's informative




Thanks Lou

 

[fleetz]

Hi James,

No you don't have to upgrade the software you can use the 17VAC 3Amp supply. The DC firmware is to comply with current local regulations, because you bought OS the AC and ELK firmware would be fine, I don't know if ELK have followed suite on the DC input or not but you good to go with the AC PS.

The Ness training is really worth the effort and great value. I did it and part of the training was getting a M1 , housing, power supply, battery, ethernet card, KP2 kepad and a bunch of software, SDK program, prox reader program, manuals, training manuals, excellent training. It includes return air fares and accomodation and they feed you too!. This all for as low as $874.50AU +GST if you live in Melb or Sydney or $1057 +GST if you live in SA, QLD, TAS . The training is great, so for a possible extra $300 you would have been a lot better off IMO, not to mention the relationship you build with Ness which I can not put a value on. I contacted my local Ness guy today via email with a question and got a quality answer back in less than 30 minutes. So depending on where you live and given you now need to buy a power supply it could have been almost the same cost to buy the Ness gear and get 2 days training for nothing.

After the training you would have access to trade Ness pricing too....

http://www.ness.com.au/M1training/Ness_Aut...course_2009.pdf

What you need is to get access to the ELK dealer site to get the firmware updates as from memory the serial number of the M1 panel determines what firmware you can load into you M1 system. If you can't get access to the ELK dealer site you will need to rely on your US dealer to get firmware upgrades.

Wish you luck.

Fleetz

 

[apostolakisl]

Hi James,

No you don't have to upgrade the software you can use the 17VAC 3Amp supply. The DC firmware is to comply with current local regulations, because you bought OS the AC and ELK firmware would be fine, I don't know if ELK have followed suite on the DC input or not but you good to go with the AC PS.

The Ness training is really worth the effort and great value. I did it and part of the training was getting a M1 , housing, power supply, battery, ethernet card, KP2 kepad and a bunch of software, SDK program, prox reader program, manuals, training manuals, excellent training. It includes return air fares and accomodation and they feed you too!. This all for as low as $874.50AU +GST if you live in Melb or Sydney or $1057 +GST if you live in SA, QLD, TAS . The training is great, so for a possible extra $300 you would have been a lot better off IMO, not to mention the relationship you build with Ness which I can not put a value on. I contacted my local Ness guy today via email with a question and got a quality answer back in less than 30 minutes. So depending on where you live and given you now need to buy a power supply it could have been almost the same cost to buy the Ness gear and get 2 days training for nothing.

After the training you would have access to trade Ness pricing too....

http://www.ness.com.au/M1training/Ness_Aut...course_2009.pdf

What you need is to get access to the ELK dealer site to get the firmware updates as from memory the serial number of the M1 panel determines what firmware you can load into you M1 system. If you can't get access to the ELK dealer site you will need to rely on your US dealer to get firmware upgrades.

Wish you luck.

Fleetz

Well you have a US specd system now, so just stick with buying all of your parts from the US. The only interaction your system has with Australia is the power source. I am sure if you google around, you should be able to find a 220v to 17v AC transformer with 3 or more amps output. You might consider a hardwired version as it might be tough finding a wall plug in version with whatever your Aussie plugs look like. Try putting your old power supply up on ebay since you won't need it. You may have 50hz in Australia vs 60Hz here in the US. I don't know if the elk is sensitive to that. The elk must have AC to DC converters on the board as all of the componants run on DC power. My guess is that the on board AC to DC converters aren't going to care if it is 50 or 60 hz but I don't know.

 

[gatchel]

I do remember reading somewhere (probably here) that you can power the Elk from a DC power source. You can't use the power fail monitoring, though.

 

[Spanky]

DO NOT plug the US 120 VAC transformer into the Aussie 220 VAC grid. The output of the transformer will be 33 VAC and the primary will probably overheat and open.


I made a change for Ness to use a 17 - 20 VDC power supply into the AC input terminals. That will be available in the next software upgrade.

Cheers

 

[Jimbo55]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions.

I Purchased the Ness accessory Kit from Cbussales.

Comes with power 240V power supply ,12V AH Battery ,2 tamper switches ,Phone lead and terminal blocks $ 100.00

So I have a spare battery I'm not sure how long it can sit without being used, but so be it.

Fleetz thanks for the feedback - hopefully I won't require aftersales assistance elsewhere

as I have yourself & the kind people on CocoonTech

 

[fleetz]

James do you have your RP code to start programing the M1 system?

What about direct access to the ELK M1 firmware?

If you don't you might want to talk nicely to Spanky who is head Kahuna at ELK! Like the big cheese!

Fleetz

 

[Jimbo55]

James do you have your RP code to start programing the M1 system?

What about direct access to the ELK M1 firmware?

If you don't you might want to talk nicely to Spanky who is head Kahuna at ELK! Like the big cheese!

Fleetz

Hey Fleetz

As far as the access codes- the installation manual has a Factory Default ELK-RP CODE & a Factory Default Installer Program Code in it. I imagine this is all that's needed.
The firmware - Once you purchase an ELK M1 you get access to the the M1 Dealer Site via serial number which contains answers to FAQs, links to download installer manual, user manual, programming record sheets, and the ELK-RP PC Software. The M1 Dealer Site is also the source for Firmware updates to the Control and/or accessories as they become available. There’s also a forum.
Spoke to Leanne from Cbussales today (lovely lady) I expect to get my power supply tomorrow, should be fun.
I've notice Spanky is the Guru on ELk so my questions directed towards him will be limted I feel he would be bored with my queries not challenging enough.


James