ELK-M1XRF2H Wireless Receiver & Input Expander — Installation Manual

Installation manual for the ELK-M1XRF2H Wireless Receiver and Input Expander — adds up to 144 wireless zones to an ELK-M1 or ELK-M1EZ8 security/automation control, compatible with Honeywell (Ademco) "5800" style wireless sensors.

Important Notes

• ELK-M1G and M1EZ8 controls should have application firmware v5.1.24 or higher to be compatible with the M1XRF2H. Check the M1Dealer website for firmware update files.
• The latest version of ElkRP Programming Software is required for programming the M1XRF2H.
• Elk makes two receiver models: the M1XRF2H (Honeywell/Ademco transmitters) and the M1XRF2G (GE/Caddx transmitters). You must use the correct model to match your transmitter brand — the two can be combined on one M1 system, but each transmitter must stay within range of its matching receiver model.

Overview

The M1XRF2H attaches to the M1's 4-wire keypad data bus and integrates much like a hardwired zone expander, except a single unit can handle up to 144 wireless zones. Benefits of running on the data bus:

• The receiver can be installed anywhere within the maximum data bus distance for optimal placement and coverage.
• Up to 11 receivers total can be connected to a single control for redundancy and extended range across large buildings.
• All transmitter programming/enrollment data is stored in the control panel, not the receiver — so a damaged receiver can be swapped without re-enrolling every sensor (just re-enroll the replacement receiver itself to the data bus).

Key Specifications

• Adds up to 144 individual wireless zones
• Operates from the 4-wire RS-485 Data Bus; up to 11 receivers per control for redundancy/coverage
• Flash memory allows field firmware updates
• Sensitivity: >105 dBm
• Operating temperature: 0° to +120°F
• Operating voltage: 12VDC; Current draw: 25mA
• Indoor range: 300–500 ft. line of sight (actual range reduced by walls/metal objects)

Installation

1. Mounting: Use two #6 × 1/2" screws (not provided). The receiver may be located up to several thousand feet from the control. Do NOT mount inside a metal enclosure or on metalized wallpaper. Mount at least 10 feet from noise-generating electrical devices (including the M1 Control itself) to avoid reduced sensitivity.
2. Wiring: Turn power OFF on the control panel before wiring. Connect terminals +12V, A, B, and Neg from the receiver to the M1's Keypad Data Bus (+VKP, Data A, Data B, Neg).
3. Antennas: Install both supplied antennas into the top locations marked "Antenna" — dual antennas provide signal diversity to eliminate RF dead spots. Use the screw terminals marked ANTENNA specifically, not the adjacent ones.

Setting the Data Bus Address & Starting Wireless Zone

Devices on the RS-485 4-wire bus each need a valid address (1–15) within their device type (Keypads = Type 1, Hardwire/Wireless Input Expanders = Type 2, Output Expanders = Type 3, Serial Expanders = Type 4). Four DIP switches (values 1, 2, 4, 8) set the address in binary — the sum of "ON" switches gives the decimal address.

Critical planning note: M1XRF Wireless Receivers and M1XIN Hardwired Zone Expanders share the same data-bus address range. Wireless zones are allocated in blocks of 16 starting at address 2 (zone 17) through address 10 (zone 145) — the last valid wireless zone is 160; zones 161–208 can never be wireless. To avoid conflicts:

• If you'll need lots of hardwired zones and only a few wireless zones, start the M1XRF at a higher address, leaving room for hardwired expansion at lower addresses.
• If you'll need lots of wireless zones with only ~16 or fewer hardwired zones, start wireless at zone 17 (address 2) to leave maximum room for wireless growth.
• Any data-bus address "overlapped" by an assigned range of wireless zones is reserved for wireless use and must not be used by a M1XIN hardwired expander.
• ELK strongly recommends the M1XRF's data bus address match its "starting zone ID" convention (per the standard tables), even though technically the two aren't required to match, to avoid confusing zone-numbering conflicts down the road.

After setting the address, the receiver must be manually enrolled to the M1 control via keypad Menu 1 - Bus Module Enrollment (ELK key → 9 → enter installer PIN → select Bus Module Enrollment → the control transmits an enrollment message and displays the total enrolled devices), or via the ElkRP Remote Programming Software.

Diagnostic LEDs

Transmitter Enrollment Methods

All enrollment starts from Installer Programming Menu 14, sub-menu 3 (or via ElkRP software). Four rapid-enroll methods cover different sensor types:

• Method 1 (sensors with no tamper switch): Set Loop to "1" first, then press "Lrn" and trip the sensor 2–3 times.
• Method 2 (1-channel sensors with tamper switch): Remove the sensor cover (activates tamper), press "Lrn," then trip the sensor.
• Method 2B (2–3 channel sensors with tamper switch): Same as Method 2, but repeat enrollment for each additional zone/channel and set the correct Loop # per channel.
• Method 3 (keychain remotes): Press "Lrn," then press and hold any transmitter button 1–4.
• Method 4 (smoke/heat detectors): Twist off the detector from its backplate (activates tamper), press "Lrn," then trigger the sensor's test procedure.

Enrolled sensors display a 7-digit Hex transmitter ID on the keypad (the sensor's printed ID is in Decimal — use the "HW" left-arrow key to view/toggle). A handy hex-to-decimal converter: easycalculation.com/hex-converter.php.

Important: Transmitter #5804E is NOT compatible with the M1XRF2H (encrypted variant).

Signal Strength / Level Checking

The M1XRF tracks repeated data packets from a transmitter over a 10-second window during enrollment and Keypad Walk Test, then voice-announces the count (e.g., "Sensor X, Level 8"). Elk's recommended minimum acceptable level is 4 (the receiver requires at least 2 repeated packets to register a valid transmission, so 4 doubles that minimum). If a level sounds unexpectedly high or inconsistent, retest — it may be picking up interference from another transmitter firing at the same moment.

Redundant Receivers

Additional M1XRF receivers can be installed for extended range/coverage redundancy in large buildings — each needs its own data bus address (any unused address except 13, 14, 15, 16) and must be separately enrolled. Up to 11 total M1XRF receivers can be installed on one M1/M1EZ8 control if there are no M1XIN hardwired expanders present. Redundant receivers don't add wireless zone capacity — only range/coverage.

Firmware Updates

Firmware is stored in field-updatable Flash memory. Updates require a direct PC connection (RS-232 or M1XEP Ethernet interface) via ElkRP — dial-up connections cannot be used. New firmware is posted on Elk's dealer-only website. Update (.bin) files should be stored in the ElkRP\Updates directory where the software looks for them by default.

FCC Compliance

This device complies with FCC Part 15 (Class B — reasonable protection against interference in residential installations, though interference is still possible). If interference occurs, try relocating/reorienting the antenna, moving the receiver away from the security control, or plugging into a different branch circuit.