Recent content by JTR7

Good point. Number of occupants is nice, but not essential. If someone's there, that's all that really matters, unless you can identify who is there. Although, if at 1 in the morning there's a visitor in my daughter's room... I agree, master bedroom would be good to know. If only one of us is...

That'd be invaluable in automation. If it was 99% accurate, including motionless people, you could cut your energy costs drastically. Imagine lights being turned off whenever you left a room. I would no longer have to worry about my children leaving lights on in the laundry room because they had...

See, features like that are going to scare buyers. However, a well designed system needs no changes (that can't be done from a user interface). For instance, a well programed rule to turn on the light when someone walks in the front door after dark is useful. A rule to turn on the lights in a...

Ironically, we bought our house from someone who moved straight across the street- we're good friends now. He just couldnt do stairs anymore-arthritis. I believe a security system probably increases value to most buyers. A whole home stereo probably increases value to many buyers. A wired...

Top notch for quality is probably RadioRA2. However, that gets pricier. If you're looking for the pin axle of reliability and looks, however, the cost may be worth it. How far will you take this? Is lighting the first step and someday you'll want security and temperature also integrated...

If I were you, I'd use HAI's OmniPro. I'd get Lutron RadioRA2 for lighting. It's a solid system. It doesn't require new wiring. If you ever move, you can replace the switches with regular switches and take it with you to the new house. HAI's OmniStat 2 will cover your HVAC. HAI's panel is...

That's how I'm planning on handling the speaker wire to the deck. Drill into the soffit, put half a hanger through the hole with a string attached to the hanger and a loop bent into the hanger, go in the attic with another hanger and catch the loop, pull and tie to speaker wire, and pull the...

I'm considering just using wired contacts for the doors. The largest part of break-ins in the area are townies breaking in to throw parties in the vacationers houses. They aren't burglars and don't try too hard. They look for unlocked or easily broken windows to get in. If they break a window...

Will do (though I'm fairly certain there are already unsealed passages for CO from the garage to the house. So here are my current questions: Has anyone used the PSS4 or similar? Does anyone know of inconspicuous wireless contacts compatible with HAI Omni controllers? Where can I get Kwikset...

I agree with you on that. I'd prefer to avoid wireless, but my ranch has a shallow roof and the peak is parallel to the two long walls. Along those two walls there are 15 windows and 2 doors. I'd like to avoid impaling myself on roofing nails. I don't like the idea of using wireless, but it may...

Hi Everybody. I'm venturing into the world of home automation(ish). As this is my first venture, I would like to get the opinions of those who have journeyed before me. I have 2 houses in which I'm installing some semblance of home automation. The first is a vacation home. It's approximately...

I've put in a word to the Craigslist seller of the CAV. If I decide I don't want it, the same controller usually goes for $600-1000 on eBay. Cha-ching. If it did HD video, I'd love to have it distribute my video. But, since I get HD quality already, why downgrade to SD? I think the keypads for...

I'm currently reading your blog in fascination. I like it. The thing is I've got so many windows. To contact all of them... 23 in all. I think. Did the number by memory :-/ I wonder what the software set you back. I like both the dealer software for programming the board and that SnapLink...

I didn't even think of Craigslist. I just did a search for Russound. Turns out there's a going out of business sale at an electronics store near me. I could get a CAV6.6 for $450. Hmmm... Would put me over after getting the keypads though... Decisions, decisions. Any idea if the CAV6.6 is...

Because you told me I was looking for a controller and posted a $1000 HS controller. So in reality, it's more like the Web-Link II software than the physical Omni board? pete, I think I'm going to lurk around eBay to find a CAS44 and pull the trigger. Looks like right now there aren't any on...