Motion Detector + Harmony Remote??

[cgott4242]

Hi:
I'm very new to all this, but will try to be as accurate as possible.
I currently have a Harmony 890 RF remote (which I'd like to keep, especially after I spent hours programming it , however everything else is open (subject to cost):
What I'd like to do/automate is 2 things:
(1) have an appliance module to control my florescent shop light in my home theater via the Harmony Remote (so that activity macros programmed into the harmony remote can turn the light on/off as appropriate)
(2) have a motion detector in the hallway so that when I walk in it turns the light on and when I walk out it turns the light off. This does not have to be integrated with the Harmony remote.

I first bought an X-10 module to take care of #2, however it was too erratic, and plus made a loud clicking noise when it turned the light on/off. So I bought a Z-wave Intermatic Home Setting Appliance module which integrated beautifully with the Harmony remote and took care of #1, and then I went to buy a motion detector to take care of #2 and found out that it won't be able to integrate with the appliance module because the Harmony (being used as the controller) won't work with it.

Do you have any ideas- I'd like to keep my existing Z-wave module (as I've already bought it and am happy with it) but am willing to try something else (cost of course is an issue)

thanks so much!

 

[electron]

Welcome to CT! I think you might have to consider a dedicated controller for this, such as the micasaverde system.

 

[cgott4242]

Welcome to CT! I think you might have to consider a dedicated controller for this, such as the micasaverde system.

Will I still be able to use the Harmony remote- as that has activity macros controlling the HT equip as well. So I need both integrated.
I heard that once a Harmony 890 is the controller over z-wave devices, other controllers (except another Harmony 890) cannot control these devices.

 

[electron]

Doesn't look like this will be easy, sorry:

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=382.0

There are other technologies which can convert IR to UPB/Insteon, but I am not aware of any IR to Z-Wave 'adapter'.

 

[cgott4242]

Doesn't look like this will be easy, sorry:


There are other technologies which can convert IR to UPB/Insteon, but I am not aware of any IR to Z-Wave 'adapter'.

Is there a different technology (other than Z-wave) which will do what I want and integrate well with the Harmony remote?

 

[electron]

There is a IR to UPB receiver (so it would work with any standard IR signal), I have one, but I still need to play with it (plus I haven't seen them for sale anywhere). I believe there is a similar device for use with Insteon technology, but I am not too familiar with it. Hopefully others can chime in.

 

[Michael McSharry]

You can go to your local hardware store and pick up a light switch/motion sensor unit that is the same size as a standard single gang switch. Motion near the switch will turn the light on and then off some time later. No integration with other HA, but based upon your description there is no need for additional integration.

 

[cgott4242]

You can go to your local hardware store and pick up a light switch/motion sensor unit that is the same size as a standard single gang switch. Motion near the switch will turn the light on and then off some time later. No integration with other HA, but based upon your description there is no need for additional integration.

I have 2 lights in the room: one a florsecent shop light (where the Intermatic z-wave is hooked up to and the harmony macros control according to each scene. I don't think I can use an independent controller e.g if it tries to turn the light on when the harmony /intermaitic adapter has shut it off - it won't do anything.
However there is an additional light that I can tie to the motion detector - it's a large florescent light in the ceiling. For this one the switch is some kind of dead terminal switch (I think that's what the electrician called it) - does that sound familiar to anyone and can tell me what I need to buy.

thanks

 

[jokah]

You have 2lights. So does that mean two switches?

If so you can replace a switch. Even if two way etc.

 

[cgott4242]

You have 2lights. So does that mean two switches?

If so you can replace a switch. Even if two way etc.

yes I have one florescent shop light (just plugs into the wall outlet- so I'm using an appliance module for that)
and the other is a big overhead florescent light- which there is what I think is called a "dead switch" or "terminal switch" or "ghost switch" - something like that where there only a wire coming FROM the light to the switch. Nto exactly sure of these things but this is what the electrician told me

Anyway, how would that help if I have 2 switches?

Also I was thinking of perhaps going (back) to X10 (can use with the harmony and can still connect a motion detector)
However does anyone know of a what I can use that won't have leakage (i.e. the light blinks when the module is off).?

thx