Budget DIY Lutron?

[berto]

Hello,

I would like to add some basic home automation and have been mainly looking into Lutron and Insteon. I have good level of technical experience, so plan to do the work myself, it would be cheaper, and it's a fun project. Insteon has my eye because of the price, but Lutron has reliability and hardware I can't find by anyone else, for example:

http://www.lutron.com/CMS400/page.aspx?id=16991&mn=1783

The problem is that I have not been able to find a good resource for determining what Lutron products I need for a home setup. It seems Lutron expects a consumer to go with a dealer that does all the work. Lutron's website is a good catalog for dimmers, etc. but it doesn't get into home automation details, e.g. why I would select RadioRA vs. HomeWorks, etc.

Here's what I've found for Insteon:

- a computer-controlled interface module
- Mac software to control devices
- a remote to control devices in-house
- iPhone software to control devices remotely (even off-site)

A cursory estimate is that the initial Insteon install would cost around $700:

- $371 for the Indigo Starter Package (Pro Version/RemoteLinc) [1]
- $200 for 4 dimmers [2]
- $50 for a wall outlet [3]

I've read that Lutron works better, feels better, and doesn't break. Can someone point me to resources that will tell me how much a similar setup would cost? As for software, I would prefer Mac software, Linux is fine, not Windows.

Any leads are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
-berto.

[1] http://www.machomestore.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=17
[2] http://www.smarthome.com/2476D/SwitchLinc-...er-White/p.aspx
[3] http://www.machomestore.com/catalog/produc...products_id=138

 

[Neurorad]

Find posts by Herdfan. He DIY'd Lutron lighting.

The biggest obstacle to using Lutron HomeWorks is deciding what parts to buy - that, and the price.

Lutron is the most attractive lighting automation option to me because of reliability. Lutron is way ahead of the other manufacturers.

Shouldn't be more than 5 times the cost of a similar Insteon install. Well, not much more.

You'll save a lot of money by DIY'ing Lutron Homeworks, but the cost is still extraordinary, for the hardware.

Let us know what you eventually decide.

 

[sic0048]

Shouldn't be more than 5 times the cost of a similar Insteon install. Well, not much more.

But the switches will probably last 5 times as long, so it all works out in the end

 

[Neurorad]

Shouldn't be more than 5 times the cost of a similar Insteon install. Well, not much more.

But the switches will probably last 5 times as long, so it all works out in the end

Given what people say about Lutron, I would expect the Lutron products to last 10,000 years +.

Have you ever heard somebody complain about Lutron quality?

 

[twilo123]

you could look at zwave also for a cheaper cost.

the RA stuff would probably be within a few hundred of your insteon quote. you can buy a package like the safe entry kit.
RA is simple to program. no pc involved. just the paddles and the remote control. to remotely control RA or most Lutron equipment though you will need their rs232 or Chronos interface both of which are typically retail in the hundreds. then you need whatever you are going to use to interface to it for remote controls (usually some pc based software).

 

[Neurorad]

OP Berto's Lutron link was for some conventionally wired dimmers (well, 1 was IR).

Berto, be patient with your project. It won't be easy, but as you say, it can be fun.

Perhaps you were referring to Lutron RadioRA products, in comparison to Insteon. Lutron Homeworks is the extraordinarily expensive Lutron family of products. I've heard good things about RadioRA - search this here forum.

 

[berto]

Perhaps you were referring to Lutron RadioRA products, in comparison to Insteon. Lutron Homeworks is the extraordinarily expensive Lutron family of products. I've heard good things about RadioRA - search this here forum.

I wasn't referring to any Lutron product initially; I didn't know where to start.

I will search the forum as well, but are there any Mac software packages for RadioRA?

Thanks for the help, everyone! I will post back here whenever I proceed with the project (might be a while).

-berto.

 

[Neurorad]

With DIY lighting control, take your time doing the research - spend a few months reading. Don't wait until it's time to make a decision.

This applies mostly to hardwired lighting control options (OnQ ALC, Lutron HomeWorks) - not much planning for RF-controlled systems (Lutron RadioRa, ZWave, ViziaRF). Powerline carrier options (UPB, Insteon) also seem pretty straightforward.

Search Cocoontech - you could probably make a decision based solely on what you read here.

BTW, Lutron RadioRa, I've come to understand, is fairly DIY-friendly.

I'm still researching lighting control options myself. I have 2 room renovations coming up, and need to decide very soon.