Need Suggestions!

[heffneil]

Guys,

I have been an HAI guy for a little over a year. I really love the product and feel like there isn't much I can't do with it. I have a HUGE project coming up and need suggestions. This house that needs outfitting is massive (8400 sq ft) and two story. It is pretty much going to be impossible to fish wires to thermostats and other peripherals back to the main panel. There are 5 thermostats within the house. I really really like UPB for controlling the lighting loads which makes using Z Wave thermostats seem difficult. Another disadvantage of HAI is the lack of community support. I guess I can call the same vendors and ask questions but I like a lot of opinions and a larger group of people to be able to help me with an issue. I know a majority of the people here are ELK guys but I wanted some feedback. I don't know if there are any irrigation and pool systems that are wireless and work well with either main home automation system.

Any ideas or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

Neil

 

[jwilson56]

Well good luck on your project

 

[heffneil]

I will definitely need luck! I guess the question is who has the best or better wireless peripherals and for example the HAI Omnipro II need all the keypads to be wired directly to the base unit. In other words no expansion cabinets can have a keypad wired to it which can be a big disadvantage of that system given this situation.

Thanks!

Neil

 

[murphy]

I will definitely need luck! ....

Sorry Neil: knowledge will replace luck !

IMHO the main difference btween ELK & HAI is the price.
Also an ELK-system is connected with the keypad via wires (with a RS485 bus, very rigid by nature).

If you want to avoid wires there are some options:

X10 is transfering the signals via the powerline. Sometimes this is sufficient, in a 8000sqft area I have some doubts.
The (more expensive) UPB (Universal Powerline Bus) is better than X10 (less noise sensitiv, longer range, more adresses), an HAI-interface is available.
Best should be a Z-wave solution, but I have no overview about interfaces, actors and sensors available..

Now google, design plans and compare prices ... and let us know your solution and further problems.

Good luck