Howdy

[Bearocalypse]

Hello! I'm from Chico, CA and I've been doing a bunch of research on HA for quite some time.

To give you a little background, I am not a novice for tech in general (I'm a software engineer and Windows/Linux sys admin), but haven't ever actually committed to starting an HA project.

I'm looking to replace as much as possible in my house with some sort of HA, and I looked at Z-wave as what might be the best possible solution for me.

I'd like to run with a PC based Zwave controller (Aeon labs z-stick type deal), IDEALLY I would like to be able to program my own software interface to the hardware, but I hear the Z-wave API is under lock and key unless I have a fat wallet (which it isn't).

My house lighting wall plates all have multiple switches (3-4) and I've had some trouble trying to figure out how to deal with this since all the z-wave switches I could find were just a single switch.

Any help for this HA-newb would be appreciated, I'll be here scouring the forums for information!

 

[damage]

I'd like to run with a PC based Zwave controller (Aeon labs z-stick type deal), IDEALLY I would like to be able to program my own software interface to the hardware, but I hear the Z-wave API is under lock and key unless I have a fat wallet (which it isn't).

welcome. you might look into open-zwave http://code.google.com/p/open-zwave/

 

[Bearocalypse]

welcome. you might look into open-zwave

Ah, I see that looks like an excellent project to check out. Any ideas on what I can do with my wall switches?

 

[tmbrown97]

Another option is to use some intermediary hardware like an M1 or Vera and write software that interfaces with that controller... That way the protocol is already figured out and, even better, is automatically updated as things change.

Also, before reinventing the wheel, check out all the great models that've already been invented by others... Like homeseer, cqc, Elve ($99 intro), premise (free)... There's a beauty in having a system that you have complete control over, but that other people are keeping updated when you realize you don't have time to do it yourself.

 

[electron]

Welcome to CT!

I would take a look at the Leviton VRC0P (the new version), which gives you full control of Z-Wave hardware using ASCII commands via the serial port.

 

[damage]

just got an aeon labs z-stick 2 so i decided to play w/ the open-zwave stuff. in 15 minutes, using the .net demo source, i hacked on some of my code, compiled it and am controlling my closeout rs appliance modules with my system. i don't have any need for fancy scenes, just on/off control for now. wish i went to a few more radio shacks back then and got more modules and some switches. anybody want to trade? i've got tons of closeout fry's upb modules