Concord 4 and z-wave ?

[knut]

I am in the process of building a house, and I want to install a hybrid security system. I also have an interest in home automation, which, though, is limited from a budget perspective.

The security system of choice seems to be the GE Concord 4, although the Vista 20p seems to have a large fan base too. Then of course I see the Elk. Since none of this is in my construction budget in the first place, I want to keep this cheap. I can handle wiring and programming.

The main issue with Concord and other security systems of that class is their X-10 control.
I'd rather be wiring my house with a few z-wave dimmers and switches then using X-10 or Insteon (which looked nice at first but scares me in terms of reliability.)

Is there a way to make the Concord panel (or one of its brethren) talk to z-wave switches ? Or make it talk to something else that in term talks to z-wave switches ? Short of an Elk ?

I've been doing a lot of reading here and elsewhere, but I have not seen this topic come up. Any pointers would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

Knut

 

[twilo123]

i have been looking into something similar lately. i'll pm you to discuss.

 

[electron]

twilo, if you have a solution, please do share here so others can benefit as well.

Wayne Dalton was working on an X10/Zwave bridge, but their site still says 'coming soon':

http://www.wayne-dalton.com/access/access_controllers.asp (last item on that page)

 

[Rupp]

Knut,
There's a new HomeSeer plugin for the GE Concord 4 security sytem in developement. You can read about it here:
http://board.homeseer.com/showthread.php?t...ghlight=Concord

 

[electron]

Am I missing something? Where did he mention he uses or wants to use Homeseer?

 

[Rupp]

Am I missing something? Where did he mention he uses or wants to use HomeSeer?

Easy Dan! He didn't but he did say he wanted to use the Concord 4 security system with Z-Wave. If he used HomeSeer and it's free plugin he could control his Z-Wave devices and any other devices he has.

 

[electron]

He says he wants to keep it 'cheap'. No offense, but as good as Homeseer is, it's far from cheap.

 

[knut]

Thank you for all the follow up.

HomeSeer looks compelling, but I am looking for a bridge from Concord to z-wave that is not dependent on a running PC.

The RS232 Home Automation board for Concord could, theoretically, be hooked up to a z-wave controller with a serial interface like the HomePro ZCS101.

The problem (I speculate) is that probably neither the Concord nor the ZC101 could be taught to understand each other's protocol... both expect a PC with proper software on the other end, not a "dumb" device.

The HomeSeer Z-Troller looks like it would be powerful enough a device. But from following the HomeSeer-Concord plugin discussion (thank you for the link !), it is not clear to me that the Z-Troller can be used straight on the Concord. I expect that the plugin just wants to be on a running PC, and I expect that the Z-Troller can't be "taught" to talk to the Concord.

A lot of assumptions ! True ?

Knut

Am I missing something? Where did he mention he uses or wants to use Homeseer?

 

[electron]

Have you considered the Elk M1EZ8? It's the M1G's little brother, but offers many of the features the M1G does.

 

[Steve]

I know you specifically asked about ZWave, but since you were considering Insteon, I figured I would throw out that there is a very simple x10 to UPB bridge. So, If you were to consider UPB it would be a very simple no pc/no software solution. This bridge was designed for the exact purpose you are looking for.

 

[CollinR]

2nd vote to look at the M1EZ8 excellent bang:buck, really not that much more then the GE stuff but craploads more capable (and supported!).

 

[az1324]

I know you specifically asked about ZWave, but since you were considering Insteon, I figured I would throw out that there is a very simple x10 to UPB bridge. So, If you were to consider UPB it would be a very simple no pc/no software solution. This bridge was designed for the exact purpose you are looking for.

I don't think the Concord uses that system to generate its X10 so you couldn't use it anyway.

 

[Steve]

I know you specifically asked about ZWave, but since you were considering Insteon, I figured I would throw out that there is a very simple x10 to UPB bridge. So, If you were to consider UPB it would be a very simple no pc/no software solution. This bridge was designed for the exact purpose you are looking for.

I don't think the Concord uses that system to generate its X10 so you couldn't use it anyway.

Well, first disclaimer is I am not familiar with the Concord system so I made an assumption (sorry). So, are you saying the Concord4 doesn't use a standard PL-513/TW-523? If that is the case then yes you are correct, the PW 513 will not work. However, there is still hope in the XPW713 as it simply plugs in an converts x10 signals to UPB.

All that being said in the interest of addressing the Concord, I do also agree something like the EZ8 would be a better choice anyway.

 

[Rupp]

He says he wants to keep it 'cheap'. No offense, but as good as Homeseer is, it's far from cheap.

Cheap can mean a lot of things these days. Cheap to me is a weeks worth of groceries but that may not be cheap to others.

Doesn't the lower end ELK system offer the ability to interface with Z-Wave devices?

 

[Steve]

He says he wants to keep it 'cheap'. No offense, but as good as Homeseer is, it's far from cheap.

Cheap can mean a lot of things these days. Cheap to me is a weeks worth of groceries but that may not be cheap to others.

Quit while you are ahead!

Is cheap a weeks worth of groceries for a single guy who eats like a bird, or for a family of 4 that eats like black bears?

Doesn't the lower end ELK system offer the ability to interface with Z-Wave devices?

Yup, it works just like its M1 big brother. Need a serial expansion (XSP) and then an RZCop (preferred).