ELK-120 v.2 — Recordable Voice and Siren Module Instructions

Instructions for the ELK-120 v.2 Recordable Voice and Siren Module — a 4-channel expander configurable as 2 siren + 2 recordable voice channels, or 4 fully recordable voice channels, with non-volatile message storage.

Overview

The ELK-120 v.2 features 4 channels that can be configured as 2 channels of siren and 2 channels of voice, or all 4 channels can be used for voice. Voice channels are fully recordable and stored in non-volatile memory, with a total recording time of 8 minutes. Siren channels offer a choice of Classic Yelp Sound, Temporal Coded Horn, or Industrial Horn.

Features

• Four channels configurable as two siren + two recordable voice, OR four recordable voice channels (max record time 8 minutes divided among voice channels)
• Siren sounds: Classic Yelp Siren, Temporal Coded Horn, and Pulsing Industrial Horn
• Temporal Coded Horn meets ANSI standard for Audible Emergency Evacuation Signaling
• Recordings stored in non-volatile memory
• Voice channels accept momentary triggers
• "One Shot" or Continuous voice playback settings
• Built-in condenser microphone for recording
• Adjustable speaker volume and current draw
• Powerful 24-watt audio amplifier for speakers
• Line-level output for paging systems and amplifiers
• PC sound card interface connector (for optional ELK-129)
• Lifetime limited warranty

Connection Terminals & Switches

• +12V: Positive side of a constant 12VDC power source (operating range 11–14VDC). Required if using the -VS negative trigger, momentary channel activation, or if the activating source is current-limited to 30mA or less.
• NEG: Negative side of the 12VDC power source; also connect negatives from external trigger inputs if from a different power source.
• +V1: Positive trigger input, Voice channel 1
• +V2: Positive trigger input, Voice channel 2
• +S3: Positive trigger input, Yelp Siren or Voice channel 3
• +B4: Positive trigger input, Temporal Coded Horn or Voice channel 4
• -VS: Negative trigger input for controls with a switched negative output
• SPEAKER: Connect to an 8-ohm speaker (max 4-ohm load)
• Volume Control (R21): Adjusts speaker output volume
• Activate Channels (DIP switches): Selects channel to be recorded; requires power on +12V and NEG
• Record Switch (SW1): Records a message — set JP1 to MIC, activate the desired channel, press SW1, and speak into the on-board microphone
• Programmer (J1): 5-pin connector for the optional ELK-129 Computer Sound Card Interface, to download WAV sound files
• Line Out (J2): RCA-type connector providing line-level sound output for PA amplifiers or paging systems

Note: Channels may be combined to mix the output.

Jumper Settings

• JP1 — MIC: Record using the on-board microphone / PRG: Record using the optional ELK-129 sound interface
• JP2 — REPEAT: Continuously replays a channel while triggered / 1SHOT: Plays a triggered channel only once (not available in pulsing input mode)
• JP3 — RECORD: Enables the on-board record switch SW1 / DISABLE: Disables the record switch to prevent accidental recordings
• JP4 — SIREN: Sets +S3 and +B4 as Yelp Siren and Horn channels / VOICE: Sets +S3 and +B4 as recordable Voice channels 3 and 4

Operating Modes

Siren with Voice Mode (JP4 = Siren)

• +V1 = 0 to 8-minute recordable message (see note below)
• +V2 = 0 to 4-minute recordable message
• +S3 = Yelp Siren
• +B4 = Temporal Coded Horn
• +S3 and +B4 together = Industrial Horn
• -VS = Alternately plays Yelp Siren and Voice 1 message
• Pulsing +V1 plays the Voice 2 message; pulsing +S3 plays the Temporal Coded Horn; pulsing -VS alternately plays the Horn and Voice 2 message

Note: If the Voice 1 (+V1) recording exceeds 4 minutes, it overwrites the Voice 2 (+V2) message space, making +V2 unusable.

Voice Only Mode (JP4 = Voice)

• +V1 = 0 to 8-minute recordable Voice 1 message
• +V2 = 0 to 6-minute recordable Voice 2 message
• +S3 = 0 to 4-minute recordable Voice 3 message
• +B4 = 0 to 2-minute recordable Voice 4 message
• -VS = Alternately plays Voice 1 and Voice 3 messages
• Pulsing mode is not available in Voice Mode

Note: If message recordings exceed 2 minutes, they overwrite the next adjacent message, making that message unusable.

Detailed Operation

Configure Jumper JP4 in the top-left corner of the board according to your choice of operation (Siren or Voice), then wire according to one of the installation diagrams.

Volume and Current Adjust

Turning the Volume knob clockwise increases output volume. The louder the volume, the higher the current draw; adjust volume/current to match the capability of your power source.

Connecting a Constant Power Source

Connecting +12V and NEG to a constant power source reduces channel-input current draw to about 30mA, since operating power is drawn from the constant source instead. This also allows a voice channel to be activated by a momentary voltage trigger and still play to completion.

Pulsing Voltage Activation

Terminals +S3 and +V1 can automatically detect a pulsed vs. steady activation and play the alternate channel: pulsing +S3 (Yelp) plays +B4 (Horn); pulsing +V1 (Voice 1) plays +V2 (Voice 2).

Negative (-) Activation Terminal

The -VS terminal is for controls (e.g., DSC) that switch the negative of the alarm output. It automatically plays the appropriate siren/voice combination based on whether the input is steady or pulsed: a steady negative plays the Yelp Siren + Voice 1; a pulsed negative plays the Horn + Voice 2.

Mixing Siren Sounds and Voice Messages

Apply +12VDC to both a siren input and a voice input simultaneously to combine them (e.g., +S3 and +V1 together for a Yelp siren followed by a burglary voice message) — the two channels alternate playback until the trigger is removed. Voice channels can be limited to one playback per activation via JP2's 1SHOT position; siren sounds continue until the trigger is removed.

Options for Voice Channel Playback

The "Activate Channels" switches allow manual channel activation for programming/testing (requires a constant power source on +12V and NEG). JP2's 1SHOT position restricts playback to once per activation cycle — the trigger must be removed and reapplied before the message plays again (does not work with pulsing activation). JP2's REPEAT position plays the voice channel repeatedly for as long as the input is activated.

Recording Voice Messages

Messages can be recorded from the on-board microphone or from a PC with a sound card and the optional ELK-129 interface.

From the on-board microphone: Set JP1 to MIC, JP2 to REPEAT, and JP3 to RECORD. Activate the desired channel via the on-board DIP switches (requires power on +12V/NEG) or by applying +12VDC to the desired input (+V1, +V2, +S3, or +B4). The current message (if any) begins to play; while playing, press and hold SW1 and speak clearly into the microphone (the REC/EOM LED should light before you speak). Release SW1 gently to minimize noise — the new message plays back immediately. To stop playback, turn off the channel switch or remove the trigger voltage. Repeat to re-record or record another channel.

With the ELK-129 sound card interface: Set JP1 to PRG and JP2 to REPEAT. Plug the ELK-129's 5-pin ribbon cable into Programmer Connector J1, power the ELK-129, and move its SW1 slide switch to CH1 (this powers the ELK-120). Select the channel to record with the on-board DIP switch, then follow the ELK-129 instructions to play a "scripted" WAV file.

Installation & Hookup Examples

Single alarm output, steady/pulse option: Set JP4 to Siren. A steady +12VDC to +S3 activates the Siren sound; a 0.5–1.5 second pulse to +S3 activates the Horn sound. Adding a wire jumper between +S3 and +V1 combines the Siren with Voice 1 Channel, or pulsing +S3 combines the Horn with Voice 2 Channel.

Switched-negative single alarm output (e.g., DSC), steady/pulse option: Set JP4 to Siren. This method suits controls that switch their negative alarm output. A steady negative on -VS plays the Siren + Voice 1 Channel; a 0.5–1.5 second pulse on -VS plays the Horn + Voice 2 Channel.

Momentary or low-current trigger method (one or two positive alarm outputs capable of 30mA): Set JP4 to Siren. Operating current is drawn from the constant +12VDC power source; the trigger terminals draw only 30mA each from the control's alarm outputs.

Industrial Horn Siren Sound: Set JP4 to Siren. The industrial horn plays when +S3 and +B4 are connected and activated together; adding a jumper between +S3 and +V1 combines the Horn with Voice 1 Channel.

Standard method (control panel with two alarm outputs, 2A max each): Set JP4 to Siren. All current is supplied from the Burg and Fire outputs on the control panel; average current draw is 1.2A with an 8-ohm speaker load, or 1.8A with a 4-ohm load.

Voice Mode: Set JP4 to Voice. A recordable voice channel plays by connecting 12VDC between NEG and the positive (+) channel input. For low-current triggering, or to let messages play to completion when activated by a momentary trigger, connect terminal +12V to a constant +12VDC source.

Specifications

• Operating voltage: 11 to 14 Volts DC
• Adjustable current draw: 1/4 to 1.8 Amps
• Low current triggers: 9 to 14 Volts DC @ 30 mA
• Maximum sound level: 122 dB @ 1 meter
• Maximum speaker loading: 4 Ohms
• Pulsing input: 0.5 to 1.5 sec pulse, 50% duty cycle
• Size: 3" x 5" x 1.25" (76 x 127 x 32 mm)

Warranty & Support

Lifetime Limited Warranty — call ELK Products for details. Contact: ELK Products, Inc., PO Box 100, Hwy. 70W, Hildebran, NC 28637, USA. Phone (828) 397-4200, fax (828) 397-4415, email info@elkproducts.com, www.elkproducts.com.