Recent content by Zanthic

not very active on this forum I guess...

I have been gone from home automation for a number of years so it is time to update my system and add some fresh functionality, namely, control from my iPad devices.  The two primary devices I want to control is my Elk panel and my Nuvo Grand Concerto.  Here are some questions   1) Is there...

it is not accurate to make a blanket statement that you can't have any low voltage wiring inside the same box as 120v. Just about every electrical device does this, they just follow the proper rules of isolation. A good example is the current sensors that are placed inside your breaker panel...

is there a method for detecting water flow through a pipe externally? If I measured the manifold pressure and I know the pipe diameter than I just need to know when water is flowing to get an approximate flow rate. I believe there are ways to do this ultrasonically but I'm wondering if there...

is anybody monitoring all the individual water lines in their house? (assuming you have a manifold system of water distribution) Also, anybody know of a relatively low cost water meter for 1/2" plastic pipe that just has the pulse output and no extra gauge face or electronics? thanks,

Their hardwired system is based on CAN :-)

I agree, bluetooth is a good example. When I read about your comments about proprietary switch manufacturers, I can't help but think that it would be perfect timing to create an open source (HW & SW) switch. The zigbee stacks are available free of charge, the compilers are free, there are a...

I am finding this conversation very interesting and was hoping that it would keep going. I can tell you from my experience with CAN (Controller Area Network) that although the underlining communications bus is standard, there are many many higher level protocols simply because each...

actually, I stand by my statement, but I also agree with what you are saying. I think we are getting caught up on terminology. When you use the term "Zigbee" there is absolutely no guarantee of two devices working together. If you use the term Zigbee running the same home automation spec...

only kind of... it is open the way TCP transport layer is open but what you run on top of it may or may not be compatible so there is no guarantee that two Zigbee devices will work together, especially currently as the home automation standards are just beginning to be used and most companies...

I would echo everything that Steve has posted with the exception that we don't quite agree on the force issue. I have never tried the single button switch, only the 3 button and yes, they are a little firmer than I would prefer and they don't have as good a "clicky" feel as they might, but, I...

I can't comment on which 1wire module to use for analog but will mention that if you run your 4-20mA signal through a 250 ohm resistor you will have a 1-5v analog voltage

Just to clarify something, Zigbee is the standard that controls the flow of data, the same way TCP/IP can send data on Ethernet but doesn't define the data. This also means that the data that is riding on top of the Zigbee standard can be whatever you want it to be. So, you can have the fact...

Just to add to what ano has said... It is always quicker and easier for a single company to create a protocol and get it to market quicker than trying to create a protocol by committee, but, ultimately, the Zigbee standard should pave the way to many more manufacturers, many more devices and a...

I have (had) a dealer account with SH and I recently placed an order and they informed me that because I haven't kept up the minimum orders placed, my order, and my account, have been canceled. The reason I haven't been buying from them is because their pricing has been much higher then places...