HouseBot Automation Interfaces

wordgasm · Post by **wordgasm** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:36 pm

I've been planning total home automation and media distribution for a while, remodeled, have cable everywhere and lots. (Just covered walls last week)

Started off leaning towards Mainlobby and Homeseer, but ended up with Meedio and Housebot.

With Housebot, from you experienced users how about some suggestions for automation interfaces.

Got my meedia covered; gc-100/usb-uirt/pda remotes/touchscreens/serial/etc,

But need advice on x-10 interface, HVAC interface, security system, sprinklers, security cameras etc, that are proven with HouseBot and have the required builtin or plugins available/soon!

Any help? Opinions? Suggestions?

Thanks

Jeff

Sagz · Post by **Sagz** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:47 pm

Hey Jeff... I use the CM11A X10 computer interface and it works well... well kinda. The only problem I have with it is that half my house doesn't respond to the codes... this is a known problem that can occur with some homes due to the signals not jumping the two phases most homes have. The fix is to use a phase coupler which I've ordered and planning to install in my main panel.

Post by **ScottBot** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 4:02 pm

The PowerLinc USB interface is my preferred X10 hardware interface.

I use Leviton X10 switches over the basic X10 ones. The Leviton switches support direct Dim/Bright.

acheslow · Post by **acheslow** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 10:39 pm

Hi Jeff, I use a CM11a and all Smarthome brand dimmers, keypads, and lamp modules. However, if I was going to start from scratch I'd take a serious look at the Z-wave stuff.

Sagz · Post by **Sagz** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:20 pm

Just found out an interesting site that I'd thought I'd pass along.

Talks about troubleshooting the phase problem and offers a cheap solution.

http://www.x10ideas.com/articles/displa ... %20Coupler

one of the articles also talks about using an am radio to troubleshoot "noisy" equipment like surge supressors and pc equipment so that you can filter it and keep your x10 running as efficiently as possible.

Edit: site looks down right now... you might try again in alittle while.

Sagz · Post by **Sagz** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:24 pm

actually is was a forum post about the AM radio trick

http://www.x10ideas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=57

enjoy.

wordgasm · Post by **wordgasm** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:24 pm

Thanks Guys

I am going to check into the z-wave

For T-stat thinking x-10 or rs432(?)

Any Security Panels with keyless entry (and maybe rid tags) that "botters" are using that interfaces well with HouseBot?

I've looked around and never find much about the interface between HA sftw and a security panel.

Will just any do?

Thanks Again

Jeff

acheslow · Post by **acheslow** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:17 am

Jeff, the Caddx-NX8e and Napco Gemini both seem to be popular models for automation in general due to their serial interfaces but I'm not aware of a HouseBot device definition for either of them.

wordgasm · Post by **wordgasm** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:47 am

Thanks Alan

Thats a start, I'll do my research!

Well after I get essentials setup (and maybe Meedio TV)

Crashless · Post by **Crashless** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 2:41 pm

At the risk of being redundant, could someone please check my list of things that I'm going to buy to get started with automating my home and see if I'm forgetting something, or if there's a better alternative out there?

I think I'm going to go with x10 simply because of the install base, support, and module options. Z-wave is a little more expensive, and doesn't seem to have as many products that are compatible right now.

Any suggestions would be appriciated.

Power Linc USB controller

X10 16 Device RF Base

version II wireless motion sensor

Lamp Linc 2-way 3-pin lamp module

This is just meant to get started controling one light as a test, use the motion sensor to automate the light, and make my coffee in the morning :)

I'll expand to in-wall switches etc. later, but I want to see if the level of automation I want will work first, and this seems like the bare minimum to get started with motion triggering lights.

Thanks!

Post by **ScottBot** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:00 pm

Sounds like a good start.

My only other recommendation would be that you might want to consider using a W800RF32 from WGLinstead of the RF Base. Although it costs a bit more, it will give you these advantages:

much greater range. Depending on how far your RF devices are from the unit, this may or may not be an issue.
Open to all House Codes. The X10 RF base only registers for one HouseCode. Maybe not a big deal, since you can always just use a single HC for all RF devices.
Faster with HouseBot. When the RF Base recieves the RF transmission, it will encode it and put it on the powerline as an X10 command. That means that it will be another 1/2 or more before HouseBot gets the message. The WGL device sends the RF transmission info directly over the serial port, so HouseBot gets it immediately.

Crashless · Post by **Crashless** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 3:52 pm

Perfect. That's more of what I was looking for anyways. I thought it was strange to have to translate it to x10 powerline THEN to the computer. Oh well, seems like future-proofing this stuff is better to do now, than to have to replace the lower-end model later when I get a bigger house (rather, any house, I'm in an apt now....) :)

I was taking a look around HB 2.15, and I have to say that you've created an awesome program. I really can see why the Meedio guys wanted you around, you seem to program very similarly. I love how modular everything is, especially the easy scripting. Lots of room to make very complex tasks with simple language.

I can't wait to get started with Meedio Housebot, but I'm having to restrain myself from starting the demo now as I have no devices to setup. Would be a shame to waste all 15 demo days with no devices to test with it. :roll:

Thanks for the tips. Now I just gotta get convince the fiance it'll make her life EASIER, not more complex. Any wife-proofing suggestions? I forsee her telling me 'why can't I just turn on the lights?!' are there easy ways to make those slim, wireless switches not interrupt too much automation?

Post by **ScottBot** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:03 pm

Crashless wrote:Any wife-proofing suggestions?

I've got one big "Off" button on the remote but the wife and kids STILL can turn anything off when they're done. Asking the wrong guy man...

ericvic · Post by **ericvic** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:20 pm

One thing I would suggest if going with X-10 is to not use the cheap X-10 brand switches and modules. They will make you wish you never got into X-10. I started with some cheap X-10 brand light switches and they would turn themselves on in the middle of the night and other random times. I have now switched over to Lightolier Compose switches. They cost a bunch more but are rock solid. I also have the Leviton Phase Coupler (I don't remember the model number) and it solved the problem with signals not getting everywhere.

I like the idea of the Z-Wave stuff but there are not enough different type of units out there. I have a ceiling fan in just about every room and use the Compose fan switch to control them. Can't do that with Z-Wave yet.

Eric

Sagz · Post by **Sagz** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 4:24 pm

Crashless wrote:Now I just gotta get convince the fiance it'll make her life EASIER, not more complex. Any wife-proofing suggestions?

I got a divorce and it made MY life EASIER. :lol: