Ohio Guy checking in.

[RSVP]

Hello!

I’ve been reading for a couple months now and have finally decided which way I want to go to begin this adventure into home automation. I’ve always been a gadget guy but it’s been old school/electro-mechanical stuff with IR thrown in.

I decided to start with HAL Deluxe for now. Probably will want an upgrade before long tough. I’ve purchased a PC that will be more than capable for my automated home security system. Also a couple other hardware items based upon advice from threads throughout the net.

Going to keep it simple and will use UPB and HAL software until I get comfortable. I am intrigued by the talking home idea. I have a couple cameras that I’m running now on Inetalert that work ok but will upgrade those too. I'm waiting patiently for the big brown truck so I can continue putting all this together.

Wish me luck!

Shamus

 

[electron]

Hi Shamus, welcome to CT! Don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have!

 

[PAPutzback]

New user here. If the board allows it can you post link to what you are buying. I'd like to get into home automation myself and think the UPB is the way to go. I just need to see what all else goes together to make it work.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[RSVP]

New user here. If the board allows it can you post link to what you are buying. I'd like to get into home automation myself and think the UPB is the way to go. I just need to see what all else goes together to make it work.

Thanks,
Phil

Phil,

I'm into the learning curve myself. There are several options to choose from for any system your building. That's the biggest headache for us newbie's. So everything depends upon what you want to control/monitor and the size of your wallet.

In my case I wanted a couple security cameras that would connect through a USB port into my PC. I picked up 2 Logitech webcams and hardwired them (USB extension cables) to view the first and second floors of my home. I downloaded and later purchased a software program from Inetalertview (clearvisionsoftware.com $25.00). The software picks up the cameras and you can easily set it to capture images/video and notify you via cell as well as send images to your phone or any PC/laptop, anyplace. So you view near real time, what's happening in your home.

I also wanted to setup a system to control lights to turn on and off in the house when I was away. The UPB Interface Module and the Lamp Modules were included in the package I purchased called HAL Deluxe. The UPB send signals through your 120V house outlets/wiring. No additional hardwire needed for that function. The Lamp Module plugs into the wall and you plug your lamp into it. UPB makes replacement wall outlets and wall switch's that you install and remove your existing wall switch/outlet, eventually I will change to that type.

HAL is a home interactive software that can talk to you through speakers and microphones and you set it's voice/commands/and what it controls through the software. There are several variations of HAL, I started with the Deluxe version and will upgrade down the road as I add things.

Everything is under construction at this point so I'm still playing. I did purchase a refurb PC that will run 24/7 and is more than capable of handling the task.

To talk to HAL I decided to go with cordless phones rather than run Mic's and speakers all over the house. I have cable so HAL can pull info like weather/stock market off the web and tell me when I ask what's going on. I do not have an outbound phone line. Only a cell. But the house is wired for phones. In order for me to use a wireless phone to communicate with HAL I needed to buy a Voice-over-IP Linksys phone adapter to "power-up" my phones. This plugs into the modem on the PC.

Sorry for the long reply but I wanted to give you the 100 foot view of what I'm after, at least as of today. This will be a work-in-process for a while as I'm still at the beginning of the learning curve. I wanted a system that would handle the basics and is expandable. I believe I've stated everything correctly here however, if anyone has something to add or clarify please do.

Cost/ description
2 Pro 5000 Logitech webcams - $65 (ebay)
Inetalert - $25
HAL Deluxe - $120
2 UPB appliance modules - $96 (ebay)
4 wireless phones - $25 (ebay)
Linksys phone adapter - $40 (ebay)
Dell refurb PC P4, 3GHz, 2GB ram - $140
600 VA UPS battery backup, new - $45 (ebay)

I won't add any links beyond what I've typed above. A Google search will get you to the best price/availability and don't forget to look for warranty offers as well.

 

[electron]

You are more than welcome to post links to stores you are purchasing stuff from, it's not a problem at all.

 

[PAPutzback]

Shamus,
Thanks for the detail. I plan on going the UPB route as well. Did you get one of these Phase Couplers? http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufact.../Item/SAZPCI-B/

Or are those the same thing as the UPB interface module you received in your HAL kit?

I do have a land line phone, the wife requires it out of fear that our cell phones will be dead or not available should we be trapped in the basement during a storm. I also have 4 cordless phones that work off one base. But how do they trigger HAL to work? Does HAL pickup everything as soon as the voice is off the hook or do you put in a code or something first. I am wondering what keeps the system from triggering light to go off and on or the garage door to go up during a phone conversation.

My first steps are two get the basic control system in place. I am assuming the phase couplers (or the UPB interface module), HAL software, UPB interface module and a Thermostat. I am keeping my basement unfinished as I progress through developing it into a theater and using as my test setup for additional home automation.

I am hoping in the future there is a enduser touchscreen interface that I could have in a couple key locations for remote control of the entire system as well. I was also thinking that there should be an interface\receiver that would detect your cell phone via bluetooth and could trigger events as well.

Thanks for all the details. I am off to look for that HAL kit.

1 more question. Does the UPB interface module work at getting the signal onto both circuits\phases? And if so what happens if your main box runs a line to a sub panel. I plan on putting a sub in the basement for easier wiring down there.

And another? I see a comparable product called HomeSeer. What what the deciding factor to go with one over the other?

 

[RSVP]

Shamus,
Thanks for the detail. I plan on going the UPB route as well. Did you get one of these Phase Couplers? http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufact.../Item/SAZPCI-B/

Or are those the same thing as the UPB interface module you received in your HAL kit?

Nope two different items/purposes. The phase coupler, as I understand it, corrects a wiring situation to allow information to get back to your PC. (Help someone) I have all new wiring throughout in this 1898 house so It may not be an issue but we shall see.

I do have a land line phone, the wife requires it out of fear that our cell phones will be dead or not available should we be trapped in the basement during a storm. I also have 4 cordless phones that work off one base. But how do they trigger HAL to work? Does HAL pickup everything as soon as the voice is off the hook or do you put in a code or something first. I am wondering what keeps the system from triggering light to go off and on or the garage door to go up during a phone conversation.

All you do with HAL is push the # sign on your phone to get his attention. Then you speak to him.

My first steps are two get the basic control system in place. I am assuming the phase couplers (or the UPB interface module), HAL software, UPB interface module and a Thermostat. I am keeping my basement unfinished as I progress through developing it into a theater and using as my test setup for additional home automation.

I am hoping in the future there is a enduser touchscreen interface that I could have in a couple key locations for remote control of the entire system as well. I was also thinking that there should be an interface\receiver that would detect your cell phone via bluetooth and could trigger events as well.

There are a couple touch screens available. Bluetooth I'm not having any luck with finding something that works well yet. Maybe someone will chime in or try a search on this site.

Thanks for all the details. I am off to look for that HAL kit.

1 more question. Does the UPB interface module work at getting the signal onto both circuits\phases? And if so what happens if your main box runs a line to a sub panel. I plan on putting a sub in the basement for easier wiring down there.

And another? I see a comparable product called HomeSeer. What what the deciding factor to go with one over the other?

Can't answer your first question, I believe but haven't researched yet that the phase coupler may....resolve that but am not sure.
HomeSeer is another good product. Had I ran across it earlier in my search I may have gone that way. Thats most of the problem for me/us. To many choices and figuring out what is compatable and what all you need to hook-up based upon what you've decided you want is a challenge. Or, the fun of it all. And this is only the beginning of the learning curve.
The more research I do the less I know. :hesaid:

 

[Steve]

(PAPutzback @ Feb 24 2009, 01:58 PM) *
Shamus,
Thanks for the detail. I plan on going the UPB route as well. Did you get one of these Phase Couplers? http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufact.../Item/SAZPCI-B/

Or are those the same thing as the UPB interface module you received in your HAL kit?

Nope two different items/purposes. The phase coupler, as I understand it, corrects a wiring situation to allow information to get back to your PC. (Help someone) I have all new wiring throughout in this 1898 house so It may not be an issue but we shall see.

In a typical residential home there are 2 phases of power. Each phase is 120V. A 240V device uses both phases together. When you hook up UPB (or any PLC) devices, they are wired into one phase or the other. Sometimes when a signal is transmitted on that phase it does not make it to the other phase strong enough. The signal needs to travel out of your house to the closest transformer then back to your house on the other phase. The phase coupler 'couples' or bridges the 2 phases in your own breaker panel (or a plug in 240V outlet) and allows the signal to go to the other phase on a much shorter path with the desired result being a stronger signal on the other phase from the transmitting component. UPB uses a strong signal and 'usually' will work in a typical house without a coupler although your powerline is always changing and a couple is always recommended for installation. If you have a subpanel it really depends how things are setup. You may be good just putting a coupler at the main panel or you may need one at both the main and sub.

UPB can be configured in many ways. The simplest is just 2 devices. For example you can install just a switch and an appliance module and have the switch turn the module on/off (just a simple example). Or you can use a simple or dedicated plug in timer or controller to control your devices. The next step would be to introduce a 3rd party control system, either software (like HAL, HS, CQ or many others) or hardware (like an Elk, HAI or other panel). To use a 3rd party control system like HAL, you need a Powerline/Computer Interface Module (PIM or CIM). That simple takes the I/O from the controller and interfaces it with the powerline to talk to your switches/modules.

Hope that helps...

 

[RSVP]

Hope that helps...

Steve, Thank you for the clear explanation. I was forgetting about the other leg of the 240V.

 

[PAPutzback]

Thanks for the responses.
From what I am getting the the PIM is unrelated to the phase coupler. It is more like a repeater, if it detects a signal on one phase it injects it into the other.

I guess the next step is to decide whether to go with Homeseer or Hal. My goal is to have a Windows Media center interface to the control system seeing as my media center runs 24/7.

There is a thread at missingremote that shows all the vendors. It makes it very hard to make a decision out of fear that the company won't be around in a year.

 

[Steve]

Thanks for the responses.
From what I am getting the the PIM is unrelated to the phase coupler. It is more like a repeater, if it detects a signal on one phase it injects it into the other.

Yes, they are unrelated. The coupler is more like a bridge, it simple passes the signal to the other side as is. There is actually another device called a split phase repeater that enhances and repeats the signal. The PCS site has a whole document on when a repeater may be required and its not something most people would use. The PIM is simply the interface from UPB signals on the powerline to a control system.