Overwhelmed Newbie Getting Started

R

ryanj

New Member
Hi HA gurus,
I'm just getting started on a HA project and would appreciate a push in the right direction. I plan to start out small (central lighting control) and just keep building as I add new hardware to the system.

I'll be ordering my first parts shortly - an insteon powerlinc controller (http://www.smarthome.com/2414u.html) and a couple of switchlinc dimmers (http://www.smarthome.com/2476d-light-dimmer.html).

My first question for the gurus is if Insteon is an ok direction for me to head in? I am looking for something cheap, that doesn't require additional wiring, and is easily expandable (to about 50 devices over 1000sf).

My second question is software related. These will be controlled by a small dedicated low-power PC. I'm sifting through the many HA software suites out there, and I'm having difficulty finding the right one to suit my needs. My criteria, in order of decreasing importance:
  1. Compatible with my powerlinc
  2. Cheap (<$250)
  3. Compatible with a wide variety of hardware (eventually perhaps USB touch screens, IR receivers/transmitters, thermostat, weather stations, wireless motion sensors)
  4. Fairly robust scripting language. I'm a techie so it doesn't need to be user-friendly.
  5. "Skinnable" for customizable control schemes.
  6. Mobile support (either via java or windows mobile)

It's tough to evaluate software just based on each respective web site's descriptions. :lol: Does anyone have any experience-based suggestions?

Thanks!
Ryan
 
I've never played with it, but you might also want to try out LinuxMCE and see if it will do what you want.
 
ryanj said:
Hi HA gurus,
I'm just getting started on a HA project and would appreciate a push in the right direction. I plan to start out small (central lighting control) and just keep building as I add new hardware to the system.

I'll be ordering my first parts shortly - an insteon powerlinc controller (http://www.smarthome.com/2414u.html) and a couple of switchlinc dimmers (http://www.smarthome.com/2476d-light-dimmer.html).

My first question for the gurus is if Insteon is an ok direction for me to head in? I am looking for something cheap, that doesn't require additional wiring, and is easily expandable (to about 50 devices over 1000sf).

My second question is software related. These will be controlled by a small dedicated low-power PC. I'm sifting through the many HA software suites out there, and I'm having difficulty finding the right one to suit my needs. My criteria, in order of decreasing importance:
  1. Compatible with my powerlinc
  2. Cheap (<$250)
  3. Compatible with a wide variety of hardware (eventually perhaps USB touch screens, IR receivers/transmitters, thermostat, weather stations, wireless motion sensors)
  4. Fairly robust scripting language. I'm a techie so it doesn't need to be user-friendly.
  5. "Skinnable" for customizable control schemes.
  6. Mobile support (either via java or windows mobile)
It's tough to evaluate software just based on each respective web site's descriptions. :lol: Does anyone have any experience-based suggestions?

Thanks!
Ryan
Click to expand...

Why not try the very powerfull and now free Premise Home Control?
If you decide it is not for you, you haven't spent any money on it.
http://www.premisesystems.com/downloads/
 
Regarding Insteon, be aware that many people have had significant issues with it. Not me, though. I seem to have been lucky (there are others, too).

Based on your software point #4, I would second PowerHome. It also covers all of your other points.
 
It seems like just yesterday I was in your shoes, and here it is, a year and a half later. I also would suggest seriously looking at something other than Insteon. Although I have no direct experience with it, the complaint incidence on this board seems to be higher (and more impassioned) than the other protocols. However, that's for you to make your mind.

My only piece of advice is to seriously consider security first. If you have a functioning security system, then by all means, go ahead with the lighting. But when I was in your shoes a year and a half ago, I went lighting first, planning on adding security later when I was more involved. Well, the worst possible thing happened, and my home was burglarized. If I had focused on security first, the damage and loss would likely have been a lot less.
 
My first question for the gurus is if Insteon is an ok direction for me to head in? I am looking for something cheap, that doesn't require additional wiring
Click to expand...

Ryan;

You didn't mention if your house has neutral wires inside the switch boxes.
 
BraveSirRobbin said:
My first question for the gurus is if Insteon is an ok direction for me to head in? I am looking for something cheap, that doesn't require additional wiring
Click to expand...

Ryan;

You didn't mention if your house has neutral wires inside the switch boxes.
Click to expand...

Robin,

I've checked several of my switchboxes and they all have a white wire 120VAC potential off from the hots. I do live in a Condo, however. Apart from collision issues (which I think I could work around by finding unique addresses), is there any special powerline considerations for a condo HA system?

Thanks,
Ryan
 
DeLicious said:
It seems like just yesterday I was in your shoes, and here it is, a year and a half later. I also would suggest seriously looking at something other than Insteon. Although I have no direct experience with it, the complaint incidence on this board seems to be higher (and more impassioned) than the other protocols. However, that's for you to make your mind.

My only piece of advice is to seriously consider security first. If you have a functioning security system, then by all means, go ahead with the lighting. But when I was in your shoes a year and a half ago, I went lighting first, planning on adding security later when I was more involved. Well, the worst possible thing happened, and my home was burglarized. If I had focused on security first, the damage and loss would likely have been a lot less.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I do have a security system in place now. Thanks for the heads-up, and I'm sorry that you lost your original system :P

So what are you using in place of insteon hardware?

Thanks,
Ryan
 
Hi,

I started with X10 a long time ago when it was the only game in town. I then tried Insteon but that inhaled deeply. I then checked out UPB products (HAI, SimplyAutomated, etc) and settled on that. I find the configuration of a UPB based system to be very straight forward.

Many of the security systems support UPB as well.
 
Hi Ryan;

I'm not familiar with any condo considerations other than someone else's system causing you some interference. Not sure how you would get around this though unless you put some blockers in your breaker box (if you have access to the main feed into your condo).

I wouldn't worry about that until it actually happened though.
 
ryanj said:
Apart from collision issues (which I think I could work around by finding unique addresses), is there any special powerline considerations for a condo HA system?
Click to expand...
Insteon uses unique addresses ( in the form of XX.XX.XX) so there are over 16MM addresses. You don't have to worry about collisions with Insteon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Getting Started
Replies
1
Views
509
Rupp
Rupp
N
Some questions from a new HA fanatic
Replies
13
Views
3K
naething
N
B
Getting Started - MisterHouse and what hardware?
Replies
12
Views
3K
123
123
electron
Chat transcript 08/05/2005
Replies
0
Views
2K
electron
electron
electron
Chat transcript 05/06/2005
Replies
0
Views
4K
electron
electron
Back
Top