I'm looking for advice on updating my hardware.
I currently have a very simple setup. I have a few X-10 devices and controllers that I installed around 2000. They work. But, I'm not really happy with them. That 1/4 second delay bugs me. And, they often don't respond at all. So, I'd like to replace what I've got, and add a coupla new functions.
First thing, I have 2-wire aka no-neutral electrical in this house. That greatly limits my hardware choices for the light switches.
My current setup: On one X-10 house code, I have two wall switches, plus a three-prong appliance module. The appliance module is actually running an old photo lamp that currently has a big 400-watt-equivalent CFL in it. That code has one wired and one wireless mini controller.
On another house code, I have two more wall switches, plus two lamp modules sharing a third unit code. That house code has three wireless mini controllers.
A couple of additions I'd like to make. One is a smart thermostat. Also, I'd like a door sensor for my garage door, or a smart controller. And, I currently have a dumb motion sensor on the front door light. I'd like to replace that with a smart device, along with a way to turn that light on for 60 secs as I go out for the mail.
So, I'd like to replace all of that with modern hardware. I'd like to control the lights both directly, and with replacements for the controllers I currently have. Control from a phone/tablet and from PCs would occasionally come in handy.
My initial research made me think that I'd like to do Zigbee. Mostly because I like to support open architectures. But that research also seemed to indicate that Zigbee might not be quite ready for prime time. It looked like one really needs to treat Zigbee as a hobby. I was next leaning toward Z-Wave. But I've seen threads here where people retch over Z-Wave (I haven't seen any explanations of why it's so horrible.) I've not seriously been considering Insteon, because I rarely see it mentioned when I do cursory searches. Though, I have seen one or two positive mentions in some threads. I've seen UPB mentioned, but that's new to me, so I'm not sure if that's something I'm interested in.
As for what to run as an automation controller, I'm having trouble figuring out what products actually compete with each other, and which are in completely different categories. I do know that I don't want one that requires an Internet connection to even operate. Extra goodies over the 'Net are fine. But, I want the core functionality within the house. I have a spare XP-era PC I could dedicate, if it makes sense to do that.
I would be okay with a system that had multiple hardware protocols, if I can seamlessly cross over between them. To the point where I could trigger with a controller on one protocol and have a device on a different protocol respond quickly.
I am a little price conscious on all this. Most of my current "home automation" plans are better described as simple remote control. I'm currently looking at automating only two or three functions. I currently envision my home theater to be totally autonomous. So, I don't think I need anything really powerful, to start. My Scientific Wild-Ass Guess is that I should be able to do what I've described for well under $1000 for the hardware. I'm not sure what software I need. And, I'm not sure if that would be sufficiently future-proof, if I get into it and expand my plans. (I already have a half dozen ideas.)
I am a techie geek. I'm a C++, Java, and PHP programmer. So, I think I'm capable of handling some complexity. I've just found it very difficult to find a concise mid-level discussion of what's available. Everything I've seen is aimed either at the rank novice. Or, at the hard-core hobbyist, who has been keeping up with everything the last several years. I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "What's wrong with CQC" thread, and it has been somewhat enlightening. I'm picking up bits and pieces. But, since it's not organized, I'm still a little lost on where some of the products mentioned fit in.
So, advice solicited. Hopefully a few people are willing to give me a crash course on the last few years of home automation hardware and software, or pointers on where to find more info.
Thanks,
Drake Christesnsen
I currently have a very simple setup. I have a few X-10 devices and controllers that I installed around 2000. They work. But, I'm not really happy with them. That 1/4 second delay bugs me. And, they often don't respond at all. So, I'd like to replace what I've got, and add a coupla new functions.
First thing, I have 2-wire aka no-neutral electrical in this house. That greatly limits my hardware choices for the light switches.
My current setup: On one X-10 house code, I have two wall switches, plus a three-prong appliance module. The appliance module is actually running an old photo lamp that currently has a big 400-watt-equivalent CFL in it. That code has one wired and one wireless mini controller.
On another house code, I have two more wall switches, plus two lamp modules sharing a third unit code. That house code has three wireless mini controllers.
A couple of additions I'd like to make. One is a smart thermostat. Also, I'd like a door sensor for my garage door, or a smart controller. And, I currently have a dumb motion sensor on the front door light. I'd like to replace that with a smart device, along with a way to turn that light on for 60 secs as I go out for the mail.
So, I'd like to replace all of that with modern hardware. I'd like to control the lights both directly, and with replacements for the controllers I currently have. Control from a phone/tablet and from PCs would occasionally come in handy.
My initial research made me think that I'd like to do Zigbee. Mostly because I like to support open architectures. But that research also seemed to indicate that Zigbee might not be quite ready for prime time. It looked like one really needs to treat Zigbee as a hobby. I was next leaning toward Z-Wave. But I've seen threads here where people retch over Z-Wave (I haven't seen any explanations of why it's so horrible.) I've not seriously been considering Insteon, because I rarely see it mentioned when I do cursory searches. Though, I have seen one or two positive mentions in some threads. I've seen UPB mentioned, but that's new to me, so I'm not sure if that's something I'm interested in.
As for what to run as an automation controller, I'm having trouble figuring out what products actually compete with each other, and which are in completely different categories. I do know that I don't want one that requires an Internet connection to even operate. Extra goodies over the 'Net are fine. But, I want the core functionality within the house. I have a spare XP-era PC I could dedicate, if it makes sense to do that.
I would be okay with a system that had multiple hardware protocols, if I can seamlessly cross over between them. To the point where I could trigger with a controller on one protocol and have a device on a different protocol respond quickly.
I am a little price conscious on all this. Most of my current "home automation" plans are better described as simple remote control. I'm currently looking at automating only two or three functions. I currently envision my home theater to be totally autonomous. So, I don't think I need anything really powerful, to start. My Scientific Wild-Ass Guess is that I should be able to do what I've described for well under $1000 for the hardware. I'm not sure what software I need. And, I'm not sure if that would be sufficiently future-proof, if I get into it and expand my plans. (I already have a half dozen ideas.)
I am a techie geek. I'm a C++, Java, and PHP programmer. So, I think I'm capable of handling some complexity. I've just found it very difficult to find a concise mid-level discussion of what's available. Everything I've seen is aimed either at the rank novice. Or, at the hard-core hobbyist, who has been keeping up with everything the last several years. I'm about 1/3 of the way through the "What's wrong with CQC" thread, and it has been somewhat enlightening. I'm picking up bits and pieces. But, since it's not organized, I'm still a little lost on where some of the products mentioned fit in.
So, advice solicited. Hopefully a few people are willing to give me a crash course on the last few years of home automation hardware and software, or pointers on where to find more info.
Thanks,
Drake Christesnsen