CONTROL4 ELK M1: Unable To Connect To Panel via Serial

CONTROL4 ELK M1: Unable To Connect To Panel via Serial

Notes
We recommend installers use Ethernet instead of Serial (via M1-XEP or other approved ELK ethernet M1 devices) as it enables improved troubleshooting, management and more reliable connectivity to the M1 panel    

For general troubleshooting, it is recommended to do the following first:
  1. Ensure the driver is running the latest version of the Chowmain ELK V2 Driver. If the V1 driver is being used, it is recommended to remove and replace the driver with the V2 version. Right Click the driver in Composer and ensure the Device File is chowmain_elk_m1_v2.c4z
  2. If the driver doesn't have a "cloud status" property, it is likely the original M1 driver from the Control4 database which was not developed by Chowmain and is no longer supported by Snap.
  3. Ensure that the driver has an active trial or is licenced. The driver will not work if it is showing an expired trial
  4. It is recommended that the panel is running 5.3.30 or later firmware. Versions older than 5.3.10 in particular are likely to experience issues
  5. Use the Display Diagnostics action (the output is shown in the lua tab) to check for any obvious errors
Otherwise:
  1. Ensure you can connect via RS232 using computer and ELKRP first to isolate whether the cable or panel is faulty 
  2. Ensure the correct RS232 port is connected to the panel via Connections in Control4
  3. Ensure that the RS232 cable is correctly Wired. Test using a computer serial interface.
  4. In some circumstances depending on the cable being used, the Serial Port must be set to Null Modem in Composer Pro settings in the controller device with the serial port. 
  5. Ensure Panel is an M1 or M1 Gold.
    1. This driver WILL not work on E27 or other panels.  You can find our E27 driver here.
  6. Ensure that ELKRP and other M1 configuration software is disconnected from the panel.