Recent content by dublin

Yeah, I suppose given all of this is fairly new (to me particularly), I need to exert a bit more patience! I'll surf around this weekend and see what I can come up with. With the Vizia stuff, I don't know how to go from a set of dry contacts to the switch (ie. I was going to use the...

Yeah, I believe there are others as well but I cannot find the switches in brown. It's very frustrating to want to do something and then get held back because of color. I'm just going to skip automating the light and just do the thermostat and call it done. I guess I'm not real patient...

Just a quick followup for anyone searching in the future. I installed the CT241 phone controller and TH135 thermostat over the weekend. Didn't work. I did a little more reading of the specs and it turns out the thermostat needs a 12v/0v input and the CT241 only provides 4 sets of...

I thought I'd just follow up in case anyone else decides to try this setup. I finally had a chance to get up to the cabin this weekend and install some of this stuff. Unfortunately, I have no neutral in my switch box as it's a switch loop. Given it's a log cabin etc.... I really don't...

Thanks! The distances are pretty short (cabin is less than 1000sf! So the Powerflash will probably be within 8' of the switch. Appreciate the "review" of my plans. Cheers, jlc

Anyone? It appears through reading that I would use the Powerflash. Now it's just down to where I can find the right switch or plan to use the socket screw in devices. I'm also toying with Insteon, UPB, Z-Wave but haven't really found how to go about those. Any help is appreciated...

Looks like you posted the Powerflash link twice instead of the screw-in module link. (Or was that a test to see if we were paying attention?) Indeed! You are correct. Corrected the original post. Cheers, jlc

Thanks folks for the inputs. I'll continue to read and learn here. I'm a firm believer in Search so I will try not to post something that's already been answered! Cheers, jlc

Hiya Folks, Ok, to refresh, I have a small cabin in the woods that I'd like to be able to control the thermostat via phone. There really is no reason for security stuff at this time. Perhaps a few years down the road I'll change my mind but for now, I'm just looking to control the thermostat...

Hiya, Ok, I've just started down the slippery slope into home automation. It's kind of like drinking from a firehose methinks. X10, Insteon, UPB, Z-wave, etc...... Is there a recommended site or sites where I can go to learn about how to do all this stuff? I hate asking elementary...

Thank you Rupp! Now I just gotta figure out how to get an X10 module into the light switch. I think I need a "universal module" that will connect to one of the outputs of the phone controller and an x10 (or insteon) switch. Appreciate the help. I must say however, that after this...

No doubt the Elk looks to be the "creme de la creme". I can't justify spending $500 on it to just control a thermostat and one light. Or am I completely missing something here? The cheapest systems I'm seeing (and honestly, it's just a quick perusal) is still upwards of $400 which seems...

Thanks IVB. So it sounds like the ELK can be used as a standalone system? I really don't like the price that comes with it however and for this small application (one hardwired light, thermostat, and MAYBE down the road, some security/weather devices) I just can't justify spending this kind...

Gotcha. I didn't realize you were implying that I use the PC. This would mean leaving the PC on 7x24 which I really would rather not do for a couple of reasons. One, the additional power consumption and two, the area up there sees power issues on a regular basis (from the utility)...

I see that the ELK is very popular here. I may consider that for my primary residence but what I'm trying to do now is figure out what to do for the family's cabin. I really don't want to spend that much. Looking at the Sensaphone at around $360 is probably beyond my budget as well but I...