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Z-Wave Support for newbie

Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:56 pm
by kpatel70
I am a newbie looking to start off my home automation project using Z-Wave. Can someone post up what they have found works reliable? I am eventually looking at doing light switches, door locks, thermostat, and later the irragation system. I would like to be able to have a reliable setup with status. Which adapters work with House Bot and what other items will I need to create scenes? any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,

KP

Re: Z-Wave Support for newbie

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:00 am
by lostdreamer
Sorry, hadnt seen this post yet.
I completely switched from X10 -> Z-Wave a few months ago:

Primary Controller: ZTH-200
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Secondary Controller: ZCU201 USB adapter
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5x ZDW230 Build-in Dimmer Switch
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And 2x Qees Power
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I still want to buy some DANFOSS RA-PLUS for the Heating part, i've only read good things about them.
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First you set up all the devices you want to include in your network (you have to use a primary controller for this)
Then you transfer all that info to the secondary controller (PC USB / Serial interface)
(this will also include the devices into Housebot)

The last step is to pair all the devices with the PC interface so that when you switch / dim a device with the local buttons, Housebot will be notified of the change immediately.

The only 'problem' I seem to have with the zwave interface is when I shut down Housebot, the process will hang for minutes, but as soon as I unplug the Zwave interface, Housebot can shut down immediately. Since I dont shut down housebot that often, I dont mind this.

For the door lock you can go 2 ways I guess:
1) Go for a complete lock with automation capabilities (pretty expensive) :
http://www.zwaveproducts.com/SCHLAGE-LI ... LOCKS.html
2) Take a universal door opener that works on 12V, and use a Z-Wave Qees Power switch for switching it when needed.

On the irragation part I cant help you since I dont have a garden to automate ;)


Regards,
LostDreamer

Re: Z-Wave Support for newbie

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:35 pm
by ScottBot
HouseBot supports the ZCU201 USB adapter for the hardware interface. That's actually the one I'm using now.