Getting Started

[Meroe]

Hello guys and gals,

I'm wanting to get started in home automation and figured this is the best place to start. I want to be able to control 1 light in the main room from my pc in my office as a start. Once I get this figured out and installed I should be in business, but again I want to start small. I'm thinking about the Leviton brand so any links to devices would be wonderful!

The light in the main room is 3 100watt bulbs off of one switch in the wall. What piece do I need to install in order to control this and what device do I need to hook up to my PC to perform the control?

I want the switch in the wall and it should look like any other switch really. I don't want to add "modules" to lamps etc I want it all to blend in.

Please help!

Regards,
Meroe

 

[IVB]

what does home automation mean to you? Is it just automated lighting, or more? I.E., see the site in my sig of what other stuff is possible (not that I do everything, but it's more than just lighting)

 

[beelzerob]

I got the impression he kind of knows what can be done with HA, but wants to just start super simple to get his feet wet. Not a bad plan....though you have no idea just how involved "simple" will be.. MUHAHAHAHAA.

Anyway...in general, to control a light, you're going to need a PC, some controlling software, a device plugged into the PC to control the lights, and then the actual light control itself. So, to affect the light, you tell the software, which tells the lighting controller, which then tells the device controlling the load, which changes the light. Make sense?

From there, you have to decide if you want to go wired or wireless for lighting control. Wireless is obviously easier if retrofitting, but wired is undeniably more reliable, and usually cheaper (I think!).

Check out the HA technology comparison sheet, a big google spreadsheet was put together that compares a LOT of different lighting technologies, and HA control softwares. It's a good place to start looking to get enough info so you know the right questions even to ask.

 

[Meroe]

I got the impression he kind of knows what can be done with HA, but wants to just start super simple to get his feet wet. Not a bad plan....though you have no idea just how involved "simple" will be.. MUHAHAHAHAA.

Anyway...in general, to control a light, you're going to need a PC, some controlling software, a device plugged into the PC to control the lights, and then the actual light control itself. So, to affect the light, you tell the software, which tells the lighting controller, which then tells the device controlling the load, which changes the light. Make sense?

From there, you have to decide if you want to go wired or wireless for lighting control. Wireless is obviously easier if retrofitting, but wired is undeniably more reliable, and usually cheaper (I think!).

Check out the HA technology comparison sheet, a big google spreadsheet was put together that compares a LOT of different lighting technologies, and HA control softwares. It's a good place to start looking to get enough info so you know the right questions even to ask.

You are correct. I'm a true geek at heart, but got married and had a couple of kids so I'm kind of rusty. I can write a program to do just about anything in many languages, but you hit the nail on the head. I just want to get my feet wet. I know how involved this can get as I've been spending hours and hours on forums before I even have any devices I just finished an alarm install in our house. 39 windows, 5 doors etc. If I would have been interested in HA at the time I started I would have went with an ELK unit, but I didn't so i need a ground up start.

What I really need (just being honest here) is a link to an in wall light switch, a link to a pc module, and a link to a piece of software that will run it. I believe once I get that I can get my feet wet.

To answer the question above your post. Home automation to me means many things actually from controlling lights, adjusting thermostats, controlling water heaters, security etc. I really do just want a level 00001 start to get my feet wet. I did read that comparision chart, but to a HA noob like me it just confuses me. I've read about Levitron (sp) products and really like their style, but I saw switches for what I think are the some purpose range in price from 12$ to 99$ and I don't know where to start.

full disclosure:
#1 - I believe I have about $100 budget right now to begin to play around (wife said) so....keep that in mind with your links please.
#2 - I just ran wires for the above mentioned alarm system and will not do it again so (wireless)


Regards,
Meroe

 

[beelzerob]

Well, you're starting where many of us did, so no worries there.

$100 for controlled lighting. Hmmmm. Well, you can do the software cheap (free!), but controlled lighting is one of the more expensive aspects of HA. I know that your budget leaves out OnQ/ALC (which is ok, since that's wired lighting anyway). Someone else with knowledge of wireless lighting control (or UPB perhaps?) will have to speak up.

Go check out that technology comparison sheet for software, and try to find which free software matches your desired capabilities. It's quite a useful bit of info.

 

[carry15+1]

Meroe,

For the kind of money you're talking you are pretty much limited to PLC devices. The least expensive, and often the least reliable, are X10 brand. You might watch eBay for PLC devices. Some of the better brands like ACT, Lightolier, Leviton, etc can do an admirable job - especially in a small to medium installation. If you have a neutral at every box it will make your life easier. I'm not a fan of 24/7 computers to control my lighting. I have an Elk M1G for security (what did you install?) but I use a Homevision Pro controller for my lighting. I gave up my HAI thermostat when I had a new Trane HVAC system installed - not a big loss in my opinion. I control lots of lighting and enjoy excellent reliability and that's the reason I'm still with the original DIY automation technology. If you do go with a 24/7 computer you will need a PLC interface like a TW523 or CM11A or one of the more modern versions. That coupled with some switch/dimmers and lamp modules will get you started.

 

[Meroe]

Meroe,

For the kind of money you're talking you are pretty much limited to PLC devices. The least expensive, and often the least reliable, are X10 brand. You might watch eBay for PLC devices. Some of the better brands like ACT, Lightolier, Leviton, etc can do an admirable job - especially in a small to medium installation. If you have a neutral at every box it will make your life easier. I'm not a fan of 24/7 computers to control my lighting. I have an Elk M1G for security (what did you install?) but I use a Homevision Pro controller for my lighting. I gave up my HAI thermostat when I had a new Trane HVAC system installed - not a big loss in my opinion. I control lots of lighting and enjoy excellent reliability and that's the reason I'm still with the original DIY automation technology. If you do go with a 24/7 computer you will need a PLC interface like a TW523 or CM11A or one of the more modern versions. That coupled with some switch/dimmers and lamp modules will get you started.

I guess I will wait for a bit then as I really don't want to go with anything X10 related. I really want something that integrates into the wall not a module type installation.

 

[Steve]

Yea, $100 is not much to get started. That will limit you to either X10 as mentioned or ZWave. Your biggest cost up front will be a pc interface. That alone is $60-$100 for most of the better technologies like UPB. If you can swing $150-$170 I would probably recommend a UPB setup. The investment in the interface will apply to whatever you finally decide on as your control interface whether it be a PC or hardware controller.

 

[beelzerob]

The investment in the interface will apply to whatever you finally decide on as your control interface whether it be a PC or hardware controller.

Well, that's a good hope....but how many of us have lots of hardware laying around from our first attempts at HA. I think Meroe has the right idea...really limited investment at this point to get just a feel for it...because the benefits, advantages, and (especially) limitations of particular HA technologies really don't become apparent until you can view them from an experienced perspective....until you begin to know what you want and how you can get it.

However, UPB is still not a bad way to go, if it's one of the more affordable. It certainly does have a following.

Worst case, you follow the normal course here, which is to buy whatever you think might work, then once you realize it doesn't, you sell it in the forums to the next newbie who also thinks that might be the way to go....

 

[IVB]

Worst case, you follow the normal course here, which is to buy whatever you think might work, then once you realize it doesn't, you sell it in the forums to the next newbie who also thinks that might be the way to go....

I thought the normal course was to blow out the budget, but in wife-defined limits (in this case $100). Then you can just plead "oh, i thought you meant any SINGLE order was not to exceed $100"...

 

[Meroe]

Worst case, you follow the normal course here, which is to buy whatever you think might work, then once you realize it doesn't, you sell it in the forums to the next newbie who also thinks that might be the way to go....

I thought the normal course was to blow out the budget, but in wife-defined limits (in this case $100). Then you can just plead "oh, i thought you meant any SINGLE order was not to exceed $100"...

Ahha been there done that. I am lucky to have a wife that loves to save and save and save so I give her credit for that. Plus, I don't want to mess with her right now as our 3rd child is on the way. Due in October so I would be playing with fire right now.

 

[nexus99]

Its too bad you did the alarm already. A HAI OMNI panel would have been perfect for you. All you would need to add would be the PIM and a wall switch and you would be automated!

You might want to look at something other than a PC for controlling everything. Personally I like to keep my HA rather simple and preferable not based around a server/PC.

I would look at something like a HAI Lumina board. You should be able to integrate your security system so that you can use doors, motion, etc as triggers for turning lights on and off, etc. Having this kind of functionality really makes the system worthwhile. There is nothing quite like having the lights come on when you enter the hall, or open the garage door, or when 6PM hits, or... you get the idea. I'd also suggest UPB as a good control transmission method. I like it becaise its not wireless and you dont actually have to run any wires.

This system will allow you to integrate HVAC, etc in the future as well.

 

[Neurorad]

I'm a little late to the thread, but...

Aren't there some IR-controllable light switches, <$100?

Tape a universal remote control ($10) to the PC, and position a mirror or other reflective surface on the doorway, so you can control the main room light. Or, use an IR extender setup.

You said from the PC, not with PC.

If you want to use the PC, you could find a USBUIRT, probably used, for cheap ($30-40?).

Seems like a lot of people are still using Premise (free HA controller software). You could control the IR, I think, with that.

 

[pete_c]

You mentioned an alarm. You mentioned that you would have gone with Elk had you thought of HA. What alarm panel did you purchase? Personally I use an HAI Omni Pro II. I have read a great deal about the Elk system and it also has a lot of features. You also mention wireless. Are you making the reference to wireless like in network or wireless like in powerline meshing?

I started to play with HA in the late 1970's. It was just a timer X-10 module and a few outdoor/indoor X-10 switches. From there I went to a very simple computer application which could program the X-10 switches via an X-10 controller (early 1980's). Sometime in the 1980's I decided to buy a semi intelligent alarm panel from a company called Excalibur (I think that was the name). What this panel had (and the reason I purchased it was) speech. I had fun with it and configured it with speech status for all my IR sensors, windows and doors. (still 1980's). I talked to the owner of the company which made the panel and his next steps were to integrate X-10 into the panel. I think he even built a prototype. The panel worked for me until I sold the home about 5 or so years ago. When I moved to my present home I decided that it would be nice to have an alarm panel that would be multi-purpose. Around the late 1990's started to play with different HA software. It was great. It let me do a lot. BUT I was always updating, changing and adding to my software. This caused some hiccups (and hurt WAF). Sometime around the time of experimenting I decided that turning the lights on / off was really kind of necessary (in addition to controlling the HVAC) and I didn't want some application glitch to make that part (turning on exterior / interior lights not work. I shifted these functions over to the panel. The computer HA software still could control the lights via its connection to the alarm panel.

To start I would just download a free program, attach an X-10 controller to it and buy a few legacy X-10 switches. See what it does, see if you like it. You can do this for under $100. Once you start to get acclamated you will want to read some more and look at different types of powerline switches, controllers and applications. Its kind of addicting.

A few weeks back my wife and I wanted to sit outside on our deck. My lights are configured to shut off around midnight or so. It was about 1:00 AM or so when we went outside. It was kind of funny but we couldn't sit in the dark as my exterior lights kept getting triggered by our motion. Made me think of maybe creating a new event/action which I can bypass the motion activity.

 

[signal15]

Remember, you can justify the cost of *anything* to the wife by calling it a hobby.

That said, my experience with X-10 was terrible. They were slow to respond, and they would turn on and off randomly when large appliances kicked in. I didn't have the patience to track down the culprits or install filters and I just lived with it. I removed the switches and replaced them with cheap switches when I sold the house because I didn't want the new owners coming after me.

I have a couple of friends that installed Insteon and they are happy with them. No problems at all for either of them, even though I do see some people complain here about them once in awhile. Z-wave stuff seems to be taking hold also. Schlage just released some Z-wave locks. Personally, I'm kind of waiting until some Zigbee Pro stuff hits the market. But I've been waiting for a couple of years and will probably never see it at this point. I have other stuff to worry about in the meantime though.