New Home automation project ...
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 2:38 pm
Hi,
I'm new into the domotics scene and I'm renovating my new house.
I've been following many forums en infosites for a couple of months now, but there are so many systems around, that it's getting complicated.
I didn't look into X-10 as I heard from many sources that it's just too slow and too old.
And as I just bought the house, funds are low, being cheap is a big advantage
What do I want to do ?
- I want to be able to control all lights from 1/multiple switches and a central computer (the need for a <all lights of>-system) (12 light points)
- I want to be able to control LED strip behind my TV (strip still to buy)
- I want to be able to control one 'electric-rail' (http://www.degordijnenwinkel.nl/info/el ... -1604.html ) from PC (timed)
- I want to be able to control my autmatic "rolling shutters" (2) from PC/manual swith (now it's only a manual switch)
- I want to be able to control 1 or 2 dimmable outlets
- I want to be able to control my central heating system (optional)
I've been looking into the KlikAanKlikUit (KAKU) systems (same as DIO/Interechno ?) because they are like in realy cheap and seem to be able to handle most of the items I need.
What's a go/non-go for me ?
- Moving all the cables for every light to a central point (there is no space in the electricity clauset for a teleruptor rail)
- So the teleruptor would need to be in the place where the old switch used to be (in the wall)
Why didn't I order KAKU devices yet ?
- I don't need the wireless eveywhere and I don't trust the wireless 100% (it's not encoded or secured - I don't like the idea of my neightbours bein able to control my lights)
- I hate to idea of changing batteries to my switches
- The teleruptors don't have a battery (lucky me), but they need some power to receive RF signals, how much power do they consume (as a wired teleruptor only uses power when switching)
- It's a one way system (not the biggest problem although)
- The switches look cheap
What I'm I still looking for, but is just unfindable ?
- I'm looking for a telerupor that can be controlled on a wired manner (low voltage) and doesn't need a rail (wall-built)
-- e.g. a http://www.elektrobert.nl/index.php?ite ... 66&lang=NL
-- but that controlled by a low voltage cable (it should be even cheaper to make as they don't need a wireless module)
-- Same for a wall switch, why can't a just find a switch that reisters the pulse, sends it wired to a central system and let that system decide what new wired/wireless pulse it has to send out ?
(combining it with an RFXcom to handle incoming/ outgoing RF signals)
I just can't find a managable solution like that It seems so logic, what I'm I missing ?
Another option I was thinking about is to send all Kaku input devices (swicthes/sensors) to a central unit (RFXCom transceiver), and let it send the signal to the teleruptors
This would enable me to know the last state of every device on the central unit / point
So anyways, I'm looking for advice. Is Kaku the good solution based on what I need ?
Did I overlook something important ? Or did I just forget to look at a good alternative that can help me ?
On the Software side, I'm looking for the homeseer SW, or maybe something I can write myself (I'm a C++ SW engineer). not worriing about that yet
Thank alot !!
Grz
M
I'm new into the domotics scene and I'm renovating my new house.
I've been following many forums en infosites for a couple of months now, but there are so many systems around, that it's getting complicated.
I didn't look into X-10 as I heard from many sources that it's just too slow and too old.
And as I just bought the house, funds are low, being cheap is a big advantage
What do I want to do ?
- I want to be able to control all lights from 1/multiple switches and a central computer (the need for a <all lights of>-system) (12 light points)
- I want to be able to control LED strip behind my TV (strip still to buy)
- I want to be able to control one 'electric-rail' (http://www.degordijnenwinkel.nl/info/el ... -1604.html ) from PC (timed)
- I want to be able to control my autmatic "rolling shutters" (2) from PC/manual swith (now it's only a manual switch)
- I want to be able to control 1 or 2 dimmable outlets
- I want to be able to control my central heating system (optional)
I've been looking into the KlikAanKlikUit (KAKU) systems (same as DIO/Interechno ?) because they are like in realy cheap and seem to be able to handle most of the items I need.
What's a go/non-go for me ?
- Moving all the cables for every light to a central point (there is no space in the electricity clauset for a teleruptor rail)
- So the teleruptor would need to be in the place where the old switch used to be (in the wall)
Why didn't I order KAKU devices yet ?
- I don't need the wireless eveywhere and I don't trust the wireless 100% (it's not encoded or secured - I don't like the idea of my neightbours bein able to control my lights)
- I hate to idea of changing batteries to my switches
- The teleruptors don't have a battery (lucky me), but they need some power to receive RF signals, how much power do they consume (as a wired teleruptor only uses power when switching)
- It's a one way system (not the biggest problem although)
- The switches look cheap
What I'm I still looking for, but is just unfindable ?
- I'm looking for a telerupor that can be controlled on a wired manner (low voltage) and doesn't need a rail (wall-built)
-- e.g. a http://www.elektrobert.nl/index.php?ite ... 66&lang=NL
-- but that controlled by a low voltage cable (it should be even cheaper to make as they don't need a wireless module)
-- Same for a wall switch, why can't a just find a switch that reisters the pulse, sends it wired to a central system and let that system decide what new wired/wireless pulse it has to send out ?
(combining it with an RFXcom to handle incoming/ outgoing RF signals)
I just can't find a managable solution like that It seems so logic, what I'm I missing ?
Another option I was thinking about is to send all Kaku input devices (swicthes/sensors) to a central unit (RFXCom transceiver), and let it send the signal to the teleruptors
This would enable me to know the last state of every device on the central unit / point
So anyways, I'm looking for advice. Is Kaku the good solution based on what I need ?
Did I overlook something important ? Or did I just forget to look at a good alternative that can help me ?
On the Software side, I'm looking for the homeseer SW, or maybe something I can write myself (I'm a C++ SW engineer). not worriing about that yet
Thank alot !!
Grz
M