PaulD
Active Member
Just jumping in the home auto game as part of building a new house. This is my first posting on this forum but I can assure you, I have a million questions that still need answers. I have been researching the technology for some months now and have managed to narrow my focus on an approach that best fits my needs and budget. I am now ready to build my first cut at a shopping list of components but I have not been able to build a good way to document the infrastructure I have in mind and identify the specific components and model numbers I think I would like to use. I have tried several different approaches on a spread sheet but I always find some tidbit of info I need to add to tell the whole story (locations, components, wiring, etc) that I can use to document my design and make a list of components needed. As a result, my spreadsheet is not very pretty and is getting messy. I also have been using Visio but it has some shortfalls also.
Is there a commonly used design template that I should be looking at to capture and document my intended design? I want to be able to document the design, help me build a shopping list and also use it as a punch list during construction to make sure I have all my wire in place before the walls are closed up. I have also considered buying a CAD program for wiring that might do the trick. If anyone here has used that approach, I would like to hear your opinions on that approach vs a giant spreadsheet.
I do not expect to move into my new house until late in 2008. In the meantime, I want to buy a bunch of the components and build a small prototype system that includes as many functions as I can so I can experiment with different components and learn the ins and outs of the system.
For reference, I want to be able to tie together all the key functions (HA, security, HVAC, video, audio, etc) found in a home. I am anticipating that I will be using a HAI Omni Pro II and UPB as key building blocks. Security and audio solutions are stilll up in the air. I know what I would like to do with security and audio but I have not been able to reconcile my desired solution with my budget yet.
HELP!
Is there a commonly used design template that I should be looking at to capture and document my intended design? I want to be able to document the design, help me build a shopping list and also use it as a punch list during construction to make sure I have all my wire in place before the walls are closed up. I have also considered buying a CAD program for wiring that might do the trick. If anyone here has used that approach, I would like to hear your opinions on that approach vs a giant spreadsheet.
I do not expect to move into my new house until late in 2008. In the meantime, I want to buy a bunch of the components and build a small prototype system that includes as many functions as I can so I can experiment with different components and learn the ins and outs of the system.
For reference, I want to be able to tie together all the key functions (HA, security, HVAC, video, audio, etc) found in a home. I am anticipating that I will be using a HAI Omni Pro II and UPB as key building blocks. Security and audio solutions are stilll up in the air. I know what I would like to do with security and audio but I have not been able to reconcile my desired solution with my budget yet.
HELP!