
Newbie
#1
Posted 03 August 2011 - 09:24 AM
Looks like some good info here!
I'm looking into setting up some really basic automation functions. First order of business is a wifi t-stat. I'm pretty sure I'm set with the wiring...just need to buy the unit.
I'm looking into doing some automated lighting; nothing to crazy, just some lamps that can be controled/or put on a set schedule. What's the best and most cost effective way to go about that? x-10? Z-wave? I'm looking into controling a few lamps via plugs; basic on/off functions.
#2
Posted 03 August 2011 - 09:39 AM
Best to ask what do you plan on using to control these t-stats and other plugin devices and then choose the technology that matches it. Do you want to use just a controller (no PC) or a home automation software system (or both)? What control features do you want (IPhone, look in from work, etc...)? What about future expandability?
#3
Posted 03 August 2011 - 11:38 AM
I'm looking at one of those Wifi-T-Stats from Home Depot. I'd just use the free app they have for the iphone/ipad to control it.
As for the lamps, again, just a basic app that allows you to set on/off times and override those times if needed.
We do a lot of skiing, so the ability to warm up the house before we come home would be nice. We don't always have a set time that we're back home.
Again, with skiing, we come home to a dark house or go away for the weekend. I'd like the ability to have control over some of the lighting vs just leaving them on timers. Here again, a simple app would be nice. I'm not looking into setting up another PC/or leaving the PC on just for automation.
#4
Posted 03 August 2011 - 12:21 PM
#5
Posted 03 August 2011 - 01:53 PM
#6
Posted 03 August 2011 - 03:30 PM
#7
Posted 03 August 2011 - 04:17 PM
#8
Posted 08 August 2011 - 08:21 AM
#9
Posted 08 August 2011 - 09:35 AM
Thanks guys! Is there anything that plugs into a router that can be used to control lights? An app to control it would be nice, but a web portal could work as well. For now, I have no problem with separate controls for the HVAC and lighting. I'm trying to keep the price on this pretty low....say under $100.
ISY99i
http://universal-devices.com/
It's not under $100 though...
#10
Posted 08 August 2011 - 01:10 PM
Thanks guys! Is there anything that plugs into a router that can be used to control lights? An app to control it would be nice, but a web portal could work as well. For now, I have no problem with separate controls for the HVAC and lighting. I'm trying to keep the price on this pretty low....say under $100.
WMT's RUC-01 for UPB.
But again, not under $100.
#11
Posted 08 August 2011 - 03:22 PM
#12
Posted 08 August 2011 - 04:12 PM
Sounds like you need to look into Active Home (free) and some inexpensive X10 lamp modules as X10.com.Thanks everyone. So x-10 or smarthome don't offer anything that can control the lamps? Would I have to purchase an entire setup? (I'm such a newb...I know.)
#13
Posted 08 August 2011 - 05:35 PM
I bought one of these because in concept it looks great; but at the moment, I don't care for it at all. It doesn't keep status; the iphone app doesn't work - crashes constantly and rarely actually controls a light; and the timers and things are way too much work to figure out the command to program into it.WMT's RUC-01 for UPB.
But again, not under $100.
I'm going to by a MiLightStyle soon and hope that's less of a disappointment.
#14
Posted 09 August 2011 - 06:44 AM
#15
Posted 09 August 2011 - 08:05 AM

0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users