The LCD's adjustable intensity and extra-large character fonts improve readability. Each keypad features 6 function keys and a two-line, backlit, large-character LCD of 16 characters per line, which displays the system's diagnostics and settings. When you're ready to expand your M1 Gold security/automation control system (sold separately), it will be helpful to know that your system will accept up to 16 M1 LCD Keypads. The M1 control unit is a dedicated, embedded microcontroller that can also interface to a standard telephone system, accepting incoming calls for remote management and making outgoing calls if a programmed event occurs. In general, these require little current and the lead acid battery is usually sufficient to keep things running for quite a while, but it is always possible to augment this backup capacity if necessary. The system also provides power for the devices connected to the system. The battery is automatically charged when power is available and the system can track the battery's voltage. It needs to be near a power source, and a 12-V lead acid battery is housed in the box to provide power if external power is lost. The M1G control unit comes in a rugged metal box that is normally mounted on the wall in an out of the way spot like my basement. The M1G can be controlled by and provide information to a remote PC. The difference is this PowerLinc Controller has a serial interface instead of a USB interface. The M1G control unit actually has a serial interface, so a second PowerLinc Controller will be found near the M1G unit. In this case it is our multimedia PC, which communicates with the M1G control unit using the Insteon PowerLinc Controller V2 USB ( Fig. 4).Ī PC can track and control the system. The blocks plug into the control unit ( Fig. 3) can be added to the end of regular wire. It can control multiple devices and track input from even more devices as well, including multiple devices per zone. It has voice capability (including announcements capabilities) plus a built-in telephone remote-control system. It can be part of a sophisticated alarm system, as well as a control system that can manage everything from watering the grass to tracking access in a secure office environment. The M1G is the kind of system that professionals install when building a computerized home. Some items we didn't get a chance to look at include intercom-like audio system and wireless key entry systems. We utilized a number of units but only scratched the surface with all the available the options. This provides the base for the system, but each remote sensor or device such as a smoke and heat detector is an item that is purchased separately. The kit also includes a number of other items that we will get to later. 1) and the M1 Cross Platform Control unit ( Fig. The package we started with is the M1G Home Control System priced at $649. This is because it entails wiring the house and that is much more difficult than plugging together a PC.įor this next part of the project, we turned to Elk Products that are distributed through SmartHome, which also supplied the Insteon products used in Part 3 of this series. It's taken me awhile to get this last article in the series completed and the actual installation job is still not done.
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