Recent content by nightwalker

I ran 16/4, Cat5e and 22/4 to each keypad location from the wiring closet and then 16/2 from the keypad to the room speaker locations. I did this long ago and have been through a couple of different audio systems since and haven't been caught short yet.

A DSC fan here but for me it's only security. I use HomeSeer for the automation chores and only interface the two together. Weather you use the ELK or HAI for security and automation chores or just a DSC or Ademco depends on what your expected setup is going to do. If you're going to use the...

Pete, I think the short answer to your question is yes, I believe they are slamming their own customers. I had the same thing happen to me about six months ago. No contact from Verizon I just noticed my bill jumped by $10 or so a month. I called and asked what was up and they told me about some...

I agree that is a tease. I use UPB for fans now, just not speed control, just on and off. Most places I don't vary the speed much anyway but in the evenings I'd like to vary the speed in our bedroom depending the temp. It's really the only place that on or off doesn't work all that well.   So...

If you're rolling your own plug-in then you're good to go. The DSC has proven to be a stable system that does security very well, has a lot of features and add-ons if you need down the road.

I also use the DSC / IT-100 config with HomeSeer and have been very pleased with the conbinagion, Your choice would more be based on what HA system you're using and if there is a good working plug-in for it or a way to integrate it with whatever HA system you use.

This article has been around for a while to convert the power supplies. I suppose you could make it look or mount anyway you wanted. http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply

I have to agree with Word2Play here. I been through the gamit of lighting protocols. Like most of us I started with x10, then to insteon, to zwave, etc. While all of them worked they were not easy or trouble free. Insteon had quality issues with the hardware and i finally gave up on them when...

Steve, I believe there is an error in your thought process when you tell the wife about all the cool things you'll be able to do when done. She and you both will have to get used to the pure simple fact that this stuff is addictive and you will never be DONE! But welcome anyway! ;)

Also a happy UPB user here. One failure in 6 years.

This is interesting, I took out my Master Hub 2 years ago, it worked but was not at all reliable. I had chalked it up to my wiring of temp sensors at the time but i changed out the Master Hub for a Temp08, hooked up my existing temp sensors with no modifications and it's been working well for...

I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I prefer the romex and plastic method. Much easier if you have to make changes after the fact. The metal boxes while not called shallow were thinner than the newer but still old fiber boxes and these days the plastic are still a little deeper yet, in...

Sorry to say Pete but you're probably going to have to bite the bullet and cut out those boxes to replace with a deep box so you have room for not only the larger Automated switches but the wiring as well. I was able to use a sawsall and remove some fiber boxes I had, without destroying the...

Not different sizes no, more so other types such as the us 22-40 dual load switches SA has or input/output modules or the new dual load devices from PCS and of course they have nothing you can change a faceplate on. HAI does great and I've no problem with their quality but they do stick to the...

The majority of my switches and keypads are HAI, They've given me no troubles at all. Where HAI is lacking a bit is in something beyond the normal 600w dimmer. I've used several of the SA 22-40 dual load switches in my install, since HAI does not make that type of switch. Also they do not make...