M1 Newsletter

February 16, 2005

How to…
...automate the sprinkler system

In this example a task will be defined to turn the sprinklers on.  The rule below will turn on a set of sprinklers in the front yard for 10 minutes when the task is activated

The next rule turns on the sprinklers in the back and side yards for 10 minutes, when the first set of sprinklers turns off.

Next, the task will be activated at 8:30 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Remember, this task can also be activated through the keypad or the telephone remote control.  Adjust the time and duration to suit the customer’s needs.

How to disable the sprinkler system:

A task will be used here also.  The rule below defines the task ‘Disable Sprklrs’.  The task will turn off all sprinklers and turn on an unused output (output 208 in this example).

The following rule will activate the task when the F key (F4 in this example).

Using a rain sensor, the task will be activated if it is raining.

The unused output is used as an indicator that the sprinklers are disabled.  By adding the ‘and’ statement shown below in bold, the sprinklers will not come on as scheduled if that output is on.

The unused output will be turned off at midnight to reset the system.

How to deter intruders using sprinklers:

The rule below will turn on the sprinklers in a certain area (side sprinklers in this example) if an outdoor motion sensor in the area is tripped while the system is armed in away mode.  If used near lower level windows or the perimeter of the property where an intruder may approach, this can be an excellent deterrent.

ELK RP Tip Of The Week

Importing and exporting of accounts is an easy method of copying a single account from one database to another. An exported account is a file that can be copied to another computer or emailed (to Elk Products Technical Support, for example).

To Export an Account: Open the account to be exported.  It is not necessary to connect to it unless you want to receive it before exporting.  Select Export Account and enter a name for the exported file.  The file may then be copied or emailed and imported into another database.

To Import an Account:   You must already have an account open to import another account.  It will not be overwritten.  To import an M1 Standard account you must have an M1 Standard account open.  Likewise, to import an M1 Gold account you must have an M1 Gold account open.  Select Import Account, browse for the exported file, and select it.  On the Import Account dialog window, enter a unique Account ID to save the imported account to.  Select any items that you don’t want imported into the Account Details screen by placing a check beside those items.  Everything else, including zone definitions, users, etc., will be imported.  The account will not be saved in the accounts database until you select Save Account on the File menu.

Got Questions or Ideas?
Email me at amy.strickland@elkproducts.com