Beginner: which hardware to start with?

[reneke]

I came across Domitiga this week and I really like what I have seen so far. My plan is to 'domotigate' my house, doing it step by step. The first step is to a) control some lights with a KlikAan system and b) control the heating of the bathroom and bedroom with these: http://www.conrad.nl/goto.php?artikel=560606. [edit]

Which hardware do I need? Is the following list complete/correct?
1) an old laptop for running Domotiga?
2) an rfx receiver for receiving sensor values?
3) an rfx transmitter to control the valves and KlikAanmodules?

The componets are all connected to my router throuh LAN?

Thanks,
rene

[Merdeka]

Rene,

Your link to conrad doesn't work. Can you update it please?
If it's the FS20 products you are referring to then I'll have to disappoint you.
At the moment there isn't any DomotiGa support for FS20. It works om 833MHz and as far as I know there is no rfxcom transmitter on that frequency.

However, there is a computer interface available. Linux driver and protocol seem to be available.

[Merdeka]

Hmm,

Reading the info on this link can't really give me a conclusive answer. It doesn't mention a FHT 8-II specifically. Others are close but you can't be sure.
You have to make sure the devices are supported. And you have to be able to write a class file for DomotiGa or borrow you hardware to someone who's willing too.

Have you considered other types of hardware btw? Danfoss Zwave for instance.

Regards,

Timo

[reneke]

Have you considered other types of hardware btw? Danfoss Zwave for instance.

Danfoos looks also more reliable than Conrad. However, the control options with danfoss are limited:
"Danfoss heeft maar twee optie met remote regeling...Sun / Moon. Sun is de aangename temperatuur die je opgeeft bv 21 graden. Moon is +/- 6 graden lager. \Met Honeywell HR80 kan je een halve graad nauwkeurig instellen."
Source: http://www.domoticaforum.eu/viewtopic.p ... 7&start=30

So, Honeywell HR80 is the best (and most expensive) solution. Does Domotiga support the Honeywell HR80?

Because you make no comment about the hardwarelist in my first post may I assume that it is complete and correct?
Browsing internet I found the better alternative for the old laptop to run Linux/Domitiga: a minPc. Do you have any recommandations?

Hmmm, lots of questions. Hope you can help Rene

[reneke]

Allthough Danfoos looks more reliable, the control options are less than Conrad or Honeywell. Honeywell also looks solid/reliable, but also work on 833 Mhz...too bad. As far as I can see DAnfoss is the only option with Domitiga sin 833 Mhz is not supported. I will decide if I want to go on with Domotiga or with Danfoss.

Is my hardware list complete?

It seems that a miniPC is a better/modern alternative for the old laptop. Do you have suggestions?

Does dometiga has the same intelligence as my Chronotherm thermostate? I mean, does it calculate when to shut off the heating system so it doesn't overshoot the setpoint temperature?

[mhn]

This board is good for low Watt systems

http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/m ... erview.htm

I have a server running on one. It use 14,2 Watt all included.

Regards
Morten

[Merdeka]

Which hardware do I need? Is the following list complete/correct?
1) an old laptop for running Domotiga?
2) an rfx receiver for receiving sensor values?
3) an rfx transmitter to control the valves and KlikAanmodules?

1 - An old laptop will do, or an ION based platform. I run the DomotigaServer part on a NSLU2.
2 - rfxcom receivers are supported.
3 - rfxcom transmitters are supported.

So if it's supported by the rfxcom, it will work with DomotiGa.

Regarding the valves. I first thought about this too. But now I'm thinking to change it around a bit. In most houses nowadays all the central heating pipes go down to a central place. Normally one per floor. It normally looks like this. If you put a couple of wired valves on the pipes going to the radiators you won't have to invest in expensive wireless valves. Maybe it's possible in your house to?

You do have to know that at the moment there is no code in DomotiGa for controlling a zoned heating system. I would like to build it, but my limited knowledge on the topic is holding me back. Building a good working heating control system is more difficult than it seems. A thermostat does more than just switching the heater on and off at a certain temperature.

If someone can give me a hand with formulas and stuff like that maybe i'll give it a go. But for now, switching a relay on or in series with an existing thermostat is the safe way to go.