Quantcast
Channel: CocoonTech.com - Latest forum posts
Viewing all 6433 articles
Browse latest View live

*** BMW's catching on Fire. What else can I do in the garage for protection?....

0
0

Apparently BMW's have catching on fire for no reason. ABC did a story where they reported about 40 of them had caught on fire over a period of time. The car's could be parked for days and for no reason it will catch on fire. The model and year build is a wide range.

 

So, I have three of them ranging from 2003 to 2011 and was wondering as to what else can I do in the garage aside from having a Heat Detector. At least two of them are parked in the garage. I can install a smoke detector which is typically not recommended.


Multi-area Elk setup help needed!

0
0
I am trying to design an alarm system on a back house driven by my ElkM1 in the main house. I've run a cat 5 cable to the back house and have got a zone expander and keypad.

I understand I can have 2 areas setup. What I want to do is if there is a alarm in area 2 only the alarm in area 2 sounds, and area 1 remains silent.

I need an output expanded too I understand to power a second siren. Can anyone help?

Automatic Lock for Door

0
0

The side and back doors of my house of the Yale Z Wave keyless touchscreen locks that are integrated with my Elk panel and I love them.

 

We never carry a key, they lock automatically, we can unlock from our phone, etc. etc.

 

I doubt I am using the right terminology, but our front door has a handset where you can press a lever to unlatch and use a key outside to turn a deadbolt.  This is the lock I have a sensor in the deadbolt "well" to see if the deadbolt is fully extended and locked.

 

It looks nice, but we often forget to lock it.  The keys are buried away somewhere intentionally so we have to lock the front door and then walk out the side door with the Yale Z Wave lock.

 

I want to up the security of my front door.  Here are some things I am thinking.

 

  • Beep the keypads if it is dark and the deadbolt has been unlocked for 5 minutes.
  • Start carrying the keys to the front door so we are more likely to lock it.  I know this seems like an easy solution, but I really love not having a house key.  Even when we are home we often forget to lock the door until I go to bed.
  • Replace the handset with something like a Z wave deadbolt
  • See if the Bravura deadbolt can be electrified
  • Add an electric door strike for deadbolts (do these exist)
  • Add a new locking mechanism like this to the top of the door to lock it using a relay and rules.
  • Maglock (just kidding...despite the motivation of a recent break in to a friend my wife still won't let me do this)

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

 

Attached Thumbnails

  • IMG_4250.JPG
  • IMG_7130.JPG

Bending Light

0
0

Read a paper sometime in the 1990's written by a bored French physicist / pilot stuck in Indochina doing the NATO thing in the 1950's and a bit bored wrote about bending light in what if (or what to expect to see or hear) scenario (written in French and German at the time).  Made for some interesting reading.

 

Noticed this in the news today....

 

Scientists just did something even Einstein didn't think was possible
By Mike Wehner Published June 08, 2017 BGR

Researchers just confirmed a theory originally proposed by Albert Einstein nearly a century ago, and it's something that even the famed physicist thought was impossible. A team of scientists led by Kailash Sahu has observed a gravitational phenomenon in which light from stars is bent as it makes its way past neighboring stars, and will publish their report in the journal Science on June 9th.

Einstein's idea -- that the gravitational pull of stars can actually manipulate light passing by from extreme distances -- is commonly called "gravitational microlensing." The famous scientist never actually observed the effect, and had no proof that it indeed existed, but his knowledge of the effects of gravity told him it was not only possible, but likely. In 1936, he wrote in Science that, because of the distance between stars, "there is no hope of observing this phenomenon directly."

Now, modern technology makes such an observation possible, and researchers have just confirmed that Einstein was indeed correct. That isn't to say there was any doubt -- examples of gravitation microlensing have been detected in space before, but never in this context, as Einstein predicted, and never studied and measured in this way.

"When a star in the foreground passes exactly between us and a background star, gravitational microlensing results in a perfectly circular ring of light -- a so-called 'Einstein ring.'" said Terry Oswalt, astronomer with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and chair of the Department of Physical Sciences. "The ring and its brightening were too small to be measured, but its asymmetry caused the distant star to appear off-center from its true position," Oswalt says. "This part of Einstein's prediction is called 'astrometric lensing' and Sahu's team was the first to observe it in a star other than the Sun."
 

So what would Einstein think of this? "Einstein would be proud," Oswalt said. "One of his key predictions has passed a very rigorous observational test."

I'm finally retiring the last of my wireless X10...

0
0

I just finished testing out a Global Cache GC-100 based replacement for my automatic lighting system.  The Honeywell 997 motion sensors that I have installed throughout the house are perfectly compatible with the GC-SC1 contact closure sensors, so I'm finally retiring my wireless X10 interface that I previously used to provide triggered input to room lighting macros.  With auto-notify set on the GC-100 ports, triggered events work flawlessly and the 997s have never performed better.  It was a quick conversion too.  I'm beginning to really like Global Cache. It is a bit expensive, but everything just works.

How to send message when bypassed zone is tripped?

0
0
I have a problematic motion sensor that dogs are tripping and want to send an email when the alarm is set to away and motion is triggered (so I can see if changing the settings or sensor resolve the problemv without seeing of the alarm).

I have the messaging board and that's working. However, I've tried checking for status away and both "not ready" and "tripped" (I've tried it both ways) and neither will send an email on motion on the bypassed zone.

I have a separate alert setup that checks a flag status (for when I'm in part of the house I wouldn't hear things, but don't want to arm alarm) and the motion as not ready, and it sends an email correctly. Unfortunately, the combo of away and not ready/tripped won't send a message.

Any suggestion?

OmniPro II Fire Zone Problem

0
0

Hi everyone,

Been following the forum boards here for many years, have learned much.  Thank you all!

 

Now I have a problem.

OmniPro II Fire Zone  (not 1-4)

Decided to respect the 10 year warning and replace all of my house smokies.(19)

All new 4 wire ESL 541NCSXTE: Sounder, Heat Sensor and EOL relay. 

Most loops are single unit home runs, a few on chains (from older wiring).

Use the ESL 541NCSXTE even in the multi unit strings, only need to stock one.

All goes fine, until.

 

New string (5), 1k resistor in the last smokie on the chain. Wired in series, with the EOL relay.

Power it up, get a "trouble now" in the PC Access status, zone Loop Value = 70. All other Smokie loops show "secure" with Loop =148.

 

So, I remove the two wires from the Omni terminals (with the Smokies still powered) and measure the loop resistance. 995 ohms.

 

I connect a know 1k resistor across the same terminals on the Omni.

PC Access status for the zone is "secure" and  Loop Value = 148.

 

Reconnect the two loop wires, (checked resistance again, still 995 ohms)

Same !!!! get a "trouble now" in the PC Access status, zone Loop Value = 70.

 

Before I pull it all the smokies apart, any one of you learned folks have a suggestion?

 

Thanks!

Martin

Windows 1.0 to 10: The changing face of Microsoft's landmark OS

0
0

Just a stroll down memory lane.

 

Published: November 19, 2015 -- 16:06

 

W1.jpg

 

Windows 1.0

November 20, 1985

 

Windows -- originally codenamed Interface Manager -- was announced by Bill Gates in 1983, but didn't ship until 20 November 1985. Its first incarnation was as a front end for Microsoft's command-line DOS, or Disk Operating System.

 

Windows 1.0 could only support tiled windows, but had desktop features such as the MS-DOS Executive file manager, Calendar, Cardfile, Notepad, Terminal, Calculator and Clock.

 

Utilities included RAMDrive, for managing memory cards designed to beat the PC's 640KB memory limit, Clipboard and Print Spooler. There was even a game, Reversi. In a special introductory offer, Windows 1.0 came with Windows Write and Windows Paint and cost $99.

 

W2.jpg

 

Windows 2.0

December 9, 1987

 

The second version of Windows introduced overlapping windows and supported 16-colour VGA graphics. It marked the debut of the Control Panel and Program Information Files, or PIFs, that told Windows how to run DOS applications,. It was also the first Windows platform for Microsoft's Word and Excel applications.

Like Windows 1.0, version 2.0 could run on a dual-floppy-drive PC without a hard disk. It used the real-mode memory model, limiting memory access to 1MB.

 

Overlapping windows and other Mac-like features in Windows 2.0 resulted in an ultimately unsuccessful Apple lawsuit in 1988.

 

w3.jpg

 

Windows 3.0

May 22, 1990

 

The first Windows version to achieve widespread use, Windows 3.0 saw significant user interface changes, as well as improved exploitation of the Intel 286 and 386 processors' memory management capabilities.

 

Program Manager and File Manager made their first appearance here, along with a redesigned Control Panel and Solitaire -- a Windows staple to this day. Everything looked better thanks to Windows 3.0's support for 256-colour VGA.

 

w31nt.jpg

 

Windows NT 3.1

July 27, 1993

 

Windows NT was born from the wreckage of Microsoft's ill-fated OS/2 partnership with IBM. It was built from the ground up under the leadership of ex-DEC software engineer Dave Cutler as a fully 32-bit pre-emptive multitasking, multithreaded, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with a hybrid kernel and a hardware abstraction layer to facilitate porting between processor platforms.

 

It was initially developed for the Intel i860, whose N-Ten codename gave NT its name, although later marketing-led revisionism changed this to New Technology. NT variants have appeared on many CPU architectures, including IA-32, x86-64, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, ARM and Itanium. Its code base still underpins the current generation of Windows operating systems.

 

w95.jpg

 

Windows 95

August 24, 1995

 

Launched with an unprecedented marketing push that included the Rolling Stones song Start Me Up - whose lyrics, detractors gleefully pointed out, included the line, "You make a grown man cry" - Windows 95 was a consumer-oriented hybrid 32-bit/16-bit OS with a brand-new user interface and modern features like plug-and-play automatic device detection and configuration.

 

Windows 95's UI saw the first appearance of the long-running features such as the Start button and menu - hence Start Me Up - the taskbar and system tray or notification area, and maximise, minimise, close buttons on windows. The start-up jingle for Windows 95 was written by Brian Eno, ironically, on a Mac.

 

wnt40.jpg

 

Windows NT 4.0

August 24, 1996

 

Available in Workstation and Server versions at launch, and followed by Server, Enterprise Edition in 1997 and Terminal Server in 1998, Windows NT 4.0 added the Windows 95 user interface to the fully 32-bit, business-oriented NT operating system.

 

Under the surface, NT 4.0 saw a number of architectural improvements. In particular, the Graphics Device Interface, or GDI, was moved into kernel mode, giving a significant performance boost over NT 3.5x, although this also required graphics and printer drivers to be updated. NT 4.0 was also the first Windows version to support the DirectX multimedia API.

 

w98.jpg

 

Windows 98

June 25, 1998

 

Windows 98 was even more consumer-friendly than its predecessor Windows 95. A range of user-interface enhancements were introduced via the bundled Internet Explorer 4's Windows Desktop Update, including the Quick Launch toolbar, Active Desktop, the ability to minimise a window by clicking its toolbar icon, plus backward and forward buttons, and an address bar, in Windows Explorer.

 

USB support, first introduced with Windows 95 OSR2.1 in April 1997, was much improved in Windows 98, encompassing hubs, scanners, mice, keyboards and joysticks -- but not modems, printers or storage devices.

 

w2000.jpg

 

Windows 2000 Professional

February 17, 2000

 

Built on the Windows NT 4.0 code base and designed to replace both NT 4.0 and Windows 98 - although Microsoft subsequently released the ill-starred Windows ME - Windows 2000 Professional brought significant improvements such as plug and play with full ACPI and WDM support, plus many features from the Windows 98/98 SE product line.

 

New across all Windows 2000 editions were NTFS 3.0, the Encrypting File System (EFS), Logical Disk Manager, an LDAP/Active Directory-enabled Address Book and the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). Windows File Protection prevented unauthorised programs from modifying critical system files.

 

windowsme.jpg

 

Windows ME

September 14, 2000

 

The last of the DOS-based Windows 9x line, Millennium Edition is widely regarded as one of the worst Windows versions ever released.

 

Unlike Windows 95 and 98, it lacked real-mode DOS support, but did include the useful System Restore feature, which allowed users to take the system back to a previous stable configuration. Just as well, because the hurriedly released Windows ME was notorious for being buggy and crash-prone. It was quickly superseded by the far superior NT-based Windows XP.

 

Minimum system specifications for Windows ME were a 150MHz Pentium processor with 300MHz recommended, 32MB of RAM with 64MB recommended, and 320MB of hard disk space with 2GB recommended. It could address up to 1.5GB of RAM.

 

wxp.jpg

 

Windows XP

October 25, 2001

 

NT-based Windows XP succeeded the business-oriented Windows 2000 and the consumer-focused Windows ME, and initially came in Professional and Home versions. With a couple of Service Packs under its belt, XP - for 'eXPerience' - proved to be one of Microsoft's most successful Windows releases ever: extended support for this durable OS finally ended on April 8 2014 -- an unprecedented 12 and a half years after its launch.

 

The XP user interface featured an updated two-column Start menu, task-grouping support on the taskbar and the ability to lock the taskbar, among other enhancements -- all presented in a new default Luna visual style. Many other themes were available, including the classic Windows 95/2000 interface.

 

w2003.jpg

 

Windows Server 2003

April 24, 2003

 

The server version of Windows XP came in Web, Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter editions, and succeeded the respective editions of Windows Server 2000.

 

Key new features included Active Directory enhancements; the Manage Your Server tool for administrating server roles; version 6.0 of the IIS web server; better Group Policy handling and administration; a backup and restore system, plus improved disk management; and enhanced scripting and command-line tools.

 

wvista.jpg

 

Windows Vista

January 30, 2007

 

Windows Vista had a convoluted gestation, a delayed birth, and a relatively short life, and retains a reputation as a particularly ill-conceived Windows release.

 

The main complaints centred on security features, digital rights management, hardware requirements and performance, and software compatibility.

 

After a false start on the XP code base, Longhorn (Vista's codename) was built on Windows Server 2003 SP1, having jettisoned key features such as WinFS. Despite an extensive beta test program, general availability of Vista came too late for the key Christmas 2006 PC-buying period.

 

Features that did ship included the Aero interface, which with the right hardware displayed transparent windows and other visual effects, and a redesigned Start menu.

 

wserver2008.jpg

 

Windows Server 2008

February 27, 2008

 

Built on the same code base as Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 included important new features like Network Access Protection (NAP), Server Core, PowerShell and Read-Only Domain Controllers. Existing components such as IIS, Terminal Services and the SMB file-sharing protocol also received thorough overhauls.

 

NAP checks that PCs connected to the network are compliant with IT policies, and takes appropriate action if they are not. Server Core installs a minimalist GUI and a limited set of server roles, to minimise RAM and patching requirements.

 

w7.jpg

 

Windows 7

October 22, 2009

 

Windows 7 is widely regarded as the operating system that Vista should have been. It quickly made inroads into Vista's and XP's market share.

 

Windows 7's main new interface feature was the redesigned taskbar, featuring the translucent Aero look, thumbnail previews with live content, Jump Lists of recently-opened files and Aero Peek for minimising open application windows to view the desktop.

 

Other key improvements were a revamped Windows Media Player 12 with internet streaming support, a Device Stage for managing peripherals from one convenient location, fewer User Access Control prompts, faster indexing for the native search, improved touch functionality and a virtualised XP Mode for running legacy applications.


UL Listed Household Fire Alarm Remote Silence

0
0

Does anyone have a UL Listed Household Fire Alarm that they can remotely silence the alarm on a phone app?

 

If you do can you please note the Mfg, model, and the app you use?

 

This is for a research project for work.

 

Thank you all

HAI OmniPro II change of IP address

0
0

I recently switched to GoogleWifi in the house, and it restricts the subnet to be 192.168.86.x.

I previously had 192.168.1.x.

 

Now I can see TCP connections to the OmniPro II system, but authentication fails.

Do I need new keys for the new IP address?

 

 

keypads becoming disconnected from M1DBHR

0
0

This always happens.  A few months ago I mention to a friend of mine that my ELK M1 gold has been running for 5 years without a reboot.  And the next day, things go to crap and I have to reboot the system.

 

On Wednesday, I'm showing a friend of mine the system (he has a Moose system) and tell him that he should get an ELK.  We didn't touch anything, and nothing has changed in the system in years.

 

Then early this morning I get a bunch of beeping with 4 of my keypads becoming unavailable.

I went to the system and didn't see anything obviously wrong, and while I was standing there, the keypads came back on line, so I went back to bed.

 

About a 1/2 hour later, the same thing happened, so I turned the M1 off.

 

I have 2 data buses coming from the M1, one runs to a keypad then to 6 Zone expanders, the other one runs to a M1OVR then to the data base hub retrofit (M1DBRH), and the data base hub gets it's power from a different power supply.  And all the negative wires are connected.

 

I've checked the wiring and everything is tight.  So I turned the M1 on again and it's been up for 30 minutes with no problems, but I'm worried the same thing is going to happen again.  Any ideas on what I should be checking?  Should I buy a new M1DBHR?

 

Thanks!!

 

I attached a log file, I couldn't get paste to work.

 

 

Attached Files

Leviton RF Installer 1.1.5.2 Released

0
0

My Kwikset Z-Wave locks stopped working after several years with Elk M1XLSZW - not sure what happened. I tried several repairs/hacks, but still couldn’t get to work.

I decided to rebuild network.

It appears the Leviton has released RFIT update. I haven't finished the full rebuild yet, but I noticed a few cosmetic differences in this version - also it doesn't seem to crash/hang as often. There’s an Report>Export Device List. This option was present, deleted, and now re-added. I think ElkRP could use the file to automatically build the light configuration.

 

I hope that VRC03+3 area/group synchronization finally works, so I don’t have to use Hyperterminal to defined various lighting groups. I just checked and the ctrl+shift+b hack for virtual buttons is still present.

 

http://info.leviton.com/l/48512/RF20Installer20Tool20Setup-exe/58436l

seeking a pro installer in the Boston area

0
0

I'm a DIY-er and installed my own Elk M1 system about 5 years ago.

I'm getting ready to renovate my house and rewire everything.

I'd rather not go through this myself, and am willing to pay somebody else to do it. Also, the job I did is probably not 100% compliant with UL, and I should get things up to code to avoid issues with any future fire insurance claims.

I still want to tinker and do my own programming and monitoring.

Anybody know a good Elk-savvy contractor in the Boston area?

Omni Touch 7

0
0

I have three OT keypads.  They are all connected to a HAI 8 port POE router which is connected to the ethernet port on the OmniPro II.   I have set the controls ip address in each on, the port, and the encryption keys.  

 

The router was also connected to a modem.  Everything works fine.

 

Due to some internet problems the modem was disconnected to the HAI router  and it stood alone as a local independent network which worked fine for a day or so.  Now they OT panels are not recognized by the Omni Pro.  I figure something changed an address somewhere but everything looks the same.  

 

With all the trouble I am having with Uverse, etc, I would rather keep them on a local network and off the Uverse system until that problem  gets resolved (probably never).  I notice the first two locations of the IP address of the OP's are different then the first two locations of the Omni Pro.  Possibly the problem?  But no idea how to change it on the OP's.

 

 

Cant find a time zone for Saskatchewan on ELKRP

0
0

I do not see the Saskatchewan time zone.  Any ideas?

Thanks


Pool pump and lightning

0
0

I was just pondering whether my pool filter pump is any more likely to be struck by sightning when running than when not running. In my mind it would make no difference.

 

Then my mind wandered to swimmers in the pool and whether they are more likely to be struck by lightning than a person sitting beside the pool. It seems to me that a person in the pool is maybe safer than someone standing upright in the same area. Or maybe being in the pool would make you vulnerable to current in the earth from a nearby strike?

 

Any thoughts?

 

Mike.

 

 

How do you contact ELK support?

0
0

I am on my second M1G, first one stopped dialing I suspect lightning then after several years it just basically stopped powering up so I got the same model on ebay Jan of 2017 now this one has the Telco Light seized steady on and I can't connect to it via the XEP, since the last one I have not had it hooked to a telephone line I was using the XEP and AlarmRelay.

 

I am stuck.

Custom Recorded Voice from Computer or Cell Phone

0
0

This took me a few tries to get right so I wanted to take some notes for myself so I can remember the next time I do this.  In case this helps anyone else I wanted to share.  This might not be the right way and I welcome suggestions.  But this worked for me.  Standard disclaimers apply!

 

In short I was able to download a mp3 of a door bell ringing and play it on my phone and record it as a custom message in Elk.

 

I don't have a land line, a landline phone, or any landline jacks or wiring.

 

I bought a RadioShack 43-1237 Telephone Handset Recording Control for $9.  One end is a RJ11 plug and the other is a 3.5mm plug that pluged into my iPhone.

 

  1. Ensure "Telephone Control Local/Remote" is set to "1 Local Telephone Control Enabled" which is under Globals G1-G5 in ElkRP.
  2. Cut the RJ11 plug off the RadioShack recording control and wire Green to R1 and Red to T1 (I left yellow and black unconnected)
  3. Set the switch to Rec
  4. Plug the 3.5mm plug into my iPhone
  5. Plug a handset into the Radioshack recording control.  I don't have a landline phone but I did have a handset that went to a VOIP phone.
  6. Follow the manual for recording custom prompts. I had a KP1NAV so I followed the on screen prompts.
  7. Since I couldn't "hang up" the phone like the manual says I would unplug the handset from the adapter before I was able to play the recorded voice.

 

If you have a land line then this adapter would likely be just plug and play.  I am pretty pleased from the sound quality of the doorbell.  I imagine any issue is due to the speakers and not the recording.

Thought for today

0
0

"Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do." — Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher (1905-1980).

how to automate existing motorized blinds?

0
0

hey all - I'm looking to automate my existing hunter douglas motorized blinds.  Here's the setup: the blinds are hardwired using 16/2 (I believe...?), this runs down to a mechanical room in the basement.  Next, there is a cat5e cable that runs from that same mechanical room to a switch that has 3 positions in the room that the blinds are in.  There is a power adapter in that mechanical room that is where the blinds draw power from.  I've got an Elk M1 as well as HomeSeer for zwave and I'm open to automating this in any fashion, I'm just really not sure what to use, or how.  

Here are some pics to better outline the connections and stuff

 

99TibzC.jpg

 

rZZ9ruT.jpg

 

J5Dv36l.jpg

 

AUsGE2k.jpg

 

 

Viewing all 6433 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images