Aprilaire 8870 with Elk M1 Gold

I connect my 8870 directly to CQC via an RS232 port. I prefer that as the Elk does not have the ability to read remote temp sensors from an HVAC unit. One instance where direct software control is superior to hardware controller.

But, you can also connect direct to Elk if you get the Elk serial port expander.

For zone control: Do you have 3 furnaces or just the one? If one, you should post this question on the CQC forum - one of the users (ellisr63) just talked to Aprilaire on Tuesday about setting up an mzone system using dampers, I can't remember the answer but it was illuminating. I won't seperate my single furnace into zones so I didn't care to remember.

There's an Elk rep who frequents cocoontech.com and actually has a subforum there.

Folks typically use an Elk as:
1) Hardware-level controller because they fundamentally distrust PCs, and use CQC/ML as a pretty front-end
2) Offload some rules/processing to the Elk as it has an automation rules engine. It is a limited engine with a max of 128 rules, but for certain basic things it's fine
3) Integrate security system into the PC so you can do stuff like "When the security system goes into ArmedAway mode, turn off all stereos, turn down furnace, etc". Doesn't have to be all controlled by the Elk either - I do that, but CQC detects the armedaway and handles all the automation. Another big item (for me) is to put motion sensors in *every* room, and either automatically turn on or off lights and stereo if there's motion in a room, or hasn't been motion in a room for (x) minutes.
4) Access lighting protocols not currently supported by CQC (ie UPB, although there's a driver for that coming out shortly).
5) Non-security items. I have water sensors in case of flood, door sensors on the closet so I can have CQC turn on/off closet light automagically. Other folks do stuff like "start recording the CCTV if there's motion in a given area".