Simple home automation

[johntarr]

I need some recommendations for a really simple automation project. I just want to have a lamp in my bedroom gradually ramp up over about a half an hour. Maybe later I can talk my fiancee into more, but for now that is all I need to do. Any ideas on how to go about this? I know they sell alarm clocks that do this, but for $100 (and the goofy looking clock), I'd rather spend $200 or so on a Vizia RF Z-Wave Programmer / Timer (http://www.smarthome.com/45021.html) and a Vizia Lamp Module (http://www.smarthome.com/45008.html).

I'm sure I'd add on later, but $200 seems alot to spend on such a simple thing, and I'm not even sure if these two items would let me do what I'm looking for.

Any other ideas? Is X-10 as un-reliable as everyone claims?

 

[SnyperBob]

Any other ideas? Is X-10 as un-reliable as everyone claims?

I don't think most people complain about x10 being unreliable. They just complain that it's only 1 way communication I think. I don't have much x10 stuff yet, only wireless x10 devices. So far they've worked without any problems in my setup.

It all depends on what you want to do. Once you start with 1 lamp, you'll instantly find 100 more ways that you want to automate stuff around your house. Personally, I would recommend a setup that uses vCrib. The software is free: www.thevirtualcrib.com

You could pick up an Insteon Powerlinc, the x10 lamp module ($13 http://www.x10securitysystems.com/lampmodule.html) and be up and running for the most part. Depending on how your house is wired, you may need a phase coupler or something like that, but for about $100 you can control that lamp (vCrib software is free).

Do you just want a standalone solution, or are you willing to have a computer/server running to handle this task? Sometimes the standalone control is more money. I know x10 has a mini timer, but I don't think you can ramp up the light with it (on/off)
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_mt10a.htm

 

[Rupp]

I need some recommendations for a really simple automation project. I just want to have a lamp in my bedroom gradually ramp up over about a half an hour. Maybe later I can talk my fiancee into more, but for now that is all I need to do. Any ideas on how to go about this? I know they sell alarm clocks that do this, but for $100 (and the goofy looking clock), I'd rather spend $200 or so on a Vizia RF Z-Wave Programmer / Timer (http://www.smarthome.com/45021.html) and a Vizia Lamp Module (http://www.smarthome.com/45008.html).

I'm sure I'd add on later, but $200 seems alot to spend on such a simple thing, and I'm not even sure if these two items would let me do what I'm looking for.

Any other ideas? Is X-10 as un-reliable as everyone claims?

If you are thinking about expanding your automation in the future HomeSeer can do this easily, using an existing script, with X10, Z-Wave, UPB. Insteon, what ever you have interfaced with your PC.

 

[LightenUP]

From www.digitalavnew.com you can find UPB devices to accomplish your task without running from the computer.

You would need a timer, lamp mod, & a SPIM to interface with your programming software to the powerline.

Very effective reliable product.

 

[Event5]

LightenUp has it right. The UPB solution is an easy, relyable first step into HA. Automated Outlet has a 20% discount this month on Simply Automated products. You would also need the UPStart software to setup your network and program the lamp modual. You would be surprise how clean and simple the install would be. No computer control needed once the lamp modual is programmed. The Scheduler/Contorller is very easy to work with. Takes seconds to setup a UPB timer and test!

Scheduler/Controller $159.95
Lamp Modual $ 74.95
CIM $ 94.95
subtotal $329.85
January $20%disc. - $ 65.80
total $264.05

You need one of these, Scheduler/Controller Here

One of these Lamp Moduals Here

And one of these Computer Interface Modual.

You would also need free Upstart software found on this page.

 

[nsisman]

Wow !

$300 just to try it out ?

Get a $50 X10 starter pack from www.x10.com - plug it into a usb port and start playing around,

You can always Ebay it if you don't like it.

Just my opinion.

 

[LightenUP]

All opinions are valid though there's plenty here to explain and confuse your decision b/w X10 or UPB or ZWAVE or this or that.

In my experience, X10 can do pretty well for many things....though if you don't have any diagnostic equipment you may be guessing on the reliability. The equipment can run up to $300.

I also don't want to rely on BILLY GATES to run the automation in my home. I know the UPB timer has more functions than the mini-controller from X10 and may even be able to do as much as the software programs on Windows.

My suggestion stands, though you may go the less exspensive way. Just, maybe read a few posts then make a decision. None are without some challenges.

I will also mention that the above post makes UPB seem very easy. I just think Dave is living with a very high IQ.

It took me sometime to get use to the manner of programming, but there is alot of documentation and even a book on How To's for when you want to increase your home's automation.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[ver0776]

X10's reliability depends on your house and the appliances in it. If you have bad wiring, noise on the lines, full breaker box, etc, X10 can be your biggest nightmare. If you wiring is good and you can put in a Phase Couple/Repeater, X10 is alright.

Some X10 is 2-way, but most is not. With this limitation, even in a decently reliable house, the devices may become out of sync with the HA system.

UPB may be fine, but even with an investment in it, you won't be able to take advantage of cheap X10 devices. I am not a big fan of Insteon, but at least you get an Insteon AND X10 controller all in one and offers you more hardware options.

1 question, are your limitations with the wife financial or time based? If they are just financial, you could do this under $100, but will take a little more work. If it truely just needs to be simple, then the more expensive options may shield you from some of the work setting up a free system...

Vaughn

 

[Event5]

I was reminded today that the SA Scheduler/Controller can double for a CIM for programming, saving about $85 from the suggestion above.
I got from your first post that you wanted to impress someone with this install so that more HA could follow. LightenUp and my suggestion may not be the cheapest way to go, but it has the best chance of impressing.( Based on years of x10 experience, a lot of reading of forums and of course UBP expience).

Dave

 

[gatchel]

X-10 was pretty unreliable for me...Insteon devices installed in the same locations where X-10 devices were work 100% of the time. Instoen seems to be less affected by signal suckers.

 

[PatA]

I just want to have a lamp in my bedroom gradually ramp up over about a half an hour.

You can do this with an Intermatic HA07 Controller (~$60) and an Intermatic HA03 Dimmer module (~$45).
You would just need to program a series of events over the course of a half hour that would dim up the lamp gradually.
The HA07 is a standalone battery-powered remote controller, so you would only need to set it and forget it. If you are setting this up as your wake up alarm, you can even set these events to occur on weekdays only.
(If you bought the Intermatic HomeSettings Starter Kit, you can get an HA07 and two HA03's for about $130.)

 

[Event5]

If you bought the Intermatic HomeSettings Starter Kit, you can get an HA07 and two HA03's for about $130.

Looks like a good deal.


After I was reminded that the UPB Scheduler/Controller can also act as a PIM for programming I should update cost..

Scheduler/Controller (PIM/CIM) $159.95
Lamp Modual $ 74.95
subtotal $234.90
January $20%disc. - $ 46.98
total $187.92

30 minute ramp up is a choice in upstart

 

[LightenUP]

I use this for the kids to wake up by. Pretty nice and easy way to get them up and getting ready. The 30 min slow fade works as a nightlight off too.

 

[johntarr]

I think I'll go with the Intermatic Family Pack. I know this forum isn't necessarily a fan of Home Depot, but they have it for $99, and that is probably cheap enough to get my foot in the door.

Also, how does Intermatic scale up? It looks like only 28 events can be programmed. Is there any way around that?
I saw a USB stick with ThinkEssentials software, but wasn't sure how good that might be.

Anyone know how compatible Intermatic is with the Vizia stuff?
I'd like to start with Intermatic, since it's cheaper, but I like the looks of the Vizia line a bit better.

 

[PatA]

I think I'll go with the Intermatic Family Pack. I know this forum isn't necessarily a fan of Home Depot, but they have it for $99, and that is probably cheap enough to get my foot in the door.

Also, how does Intermatic scale up? It looks like only 28 events can be programmed. Is there any way around that?
I saw a USB stick with ThinkEssentials software, but wasn't sure how good that might be.

Anyone know how compatible Intermatic is with the Vizia stuff?
I'd like to start with Intermatic, since it's cheaper, but I like the looks of the Vizia line a bit better.

As far as I know, on the Intermatic controller, you are able to set separate events to raise the light level by 7 preset light levels (8 including OFF). For example, to gradually dim up a light over a 30 minute time period, you can set 7 separate events every 4 minutes to dim up to the next preset level. This would only use up 1/4 of all your available programmable events.

Another option would be to set gradually higher dim levels on each "ON/OFF channel" on the controller itself. You get 12 total channels to set your light levels so you can adjust exactly how bright each step should appear. Then, for each channel, you would create an event to activate each channel every 2 minutes so that the lights will be full on just under a half hour.

If you were to use ThinkEssentials, you can create an unlimited number of events and you can create just as many scenes. This would mean that you can create very minute dimming changes.