Recent content by ccmichaelson

If any of you have your own LV / home automation business, I'd love to hear any tips/tricks/advice/etc. as to how you got started...   I've been in the software industry for 20+ years.  A few years ago I pulled over 30,000' linear feet of LV wires in my new home and fully automated my home...

  Sure - if I had a lot of extra money I might have considered going with a hardwire lighting system...  However, the latest Insteon Switchlinc's use powerline and RF (dual-band) and don't need any special wiring at all - just have the electrician wire the house like any other house.  If you...

+1 for Insteon or Z-Wave...  Just have your electrician (or you) wire the house like any other house - be sure there's a neutral wire like previous post suggested.  I've been using the ISY to automate every aspect of my home and it's been nearly flawless for 2 years.    I have over 100 Insteon...

Good Afternoon,   I just released a new IOS app in the Apple App Store called HomeTap (its icon is blue). Current features include: - Local and remote access - Insteon On/Off & Dimmer devices - Insteon Thermostats - Z-Wave Deadbolts - Elk M1 Alarm Panel Welcome any and all feedback -...

I have nearly 100 motion sensors attached to my Elk M1 but I'm only having issues with the motion sensor in my detached RV garage.  I keep my RV garage armed 24x7 (it's on a separate area) and on numerous occasions the alarm panel goes off due to my motion sensor.  One time I ran out there I saw...

  yes - that's one aspect to it.  For instance, in my master bath we have a walk-in shower (no door but a wall on 3 sides) and I didn't want the light to go out if someone is in the shower so I have multiple sensors.  I placed a motion sensor above every door (including closets and toilet...

Since moving in nearly 12 months ago - zero false alarms - but I'm using actual security motion sensors (Bosch Blueline) not occupancy sensors.  I have my elk set to trigger immediately too so that I get great response times for lighting control.

I actually ended up with a lot more than 42 motion sensors spread throughout - 99% of the time for lighting/scene/sensor control but Fort Knox should anyone attempt to enter while we are gone :-)

  I just recently built a home and I had similar questions/doubts...  Fast forward to today - I absolutely made the right decision to purchase the Elk M1 - not only for security purposes but more importantly for driving most of my home's automation.  I have approx. 75 wired motion sensors for...

I have several zwave locks + Elk M1 + ISY...  The ISY994izw admin console will show zwave door locks as an actual lock within the interface and with the ability to lock/unlock, see battery level, etc...  I'm just weeks away from releasing a new app in the Apple app store for controlling most...

@crsystems...  Are you still having issues "showing trouble status" or have you moved past that issue and you're trying to setup various rules?  I can take screenshots of my ElkRP as well as my panel if it would help.

Throughout my home I have a lot of in-ceiling speakers mainly for whole home audio. Those speakers are currently wired to Sonos Connect AMP's. In most of my TV rooms, I want the ability to use those in-ceiling speakers as surround speakers, which would need to be connected to my AVR... I...

I get the general sentiment and it's obvious you guys know your stuff and are passionate about it...  On the flip side, in the past few years I've seen a TON of new security companies/devices flood the market.  Mostly cheap wireless crap that the homeowner can purchase online and set up within a...

Completely understand your POV <emrosenberg>...  my point was regarding the complexity of home automation/networks vs. alarm components.

Thanks Dell for the insight.  Do I need to be licensed in that I need to go through the National Burglar Alarm training or do I need that training + all the other stuff/hours related to an alarm company?  If it's the later, I have no idea how that would be feasible unless I quit my real job and...