Cheapest way to detect open door ?

[soitjes]

Hi all,

I just equipped the last room with radio controller thermostatic valvas (from ELV), but now I have the problem that the kids don't close the door (if you have kids this should sound familiar ). I would like to receive a warning when the heating is turned on in a place, but the door is still open. It will save me quite a few stairs.

I have a RFXCOM, and the Homeasy/Chacon/etc. door contact sensors are not recommended (although cheap). RFXCOM recommends the DS90, but that is a whopping 50 euro per device. Quite expensive compared to the radiotor valve (only 30 euro).

Any suggestions for open door detection at a reasonable price ? RFXCOM compatibility would be nice, but I also have UTP cabling in most rooms. Basic requirement is that the signal should somehow get to my central server in the basement.

Thanks,

Soitjes.

[mhn]

Hi.

Magnetic Reed Switch and Arduino? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... OU:US:1123

I try that on a window at the moment, with Homeseer and the soon to come Arduino script. Seems to work fine,

Regards
Morten

[b_weijenberg]

Soitjes,

The KAKU AC door/window switch can be used if not used to activate an RF transmit command.
The reason is that the transmit command will be delayed by the RFXCOM because 2 RF commands cannot be active at the same time.

[marck]

Fibaro has released a new module for this:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =1&theater

It's not yet on there company website, therefore the crappy facebook link

Maybe not the cheapest, but it's worth to have a look.

[DJF3]

Visonic MCT doorsensors (MCT-302 is approx € 35). Extremely reliable, using different frequency (868MHz) but you do need the Visonic receiver in your RFXCOM. I use them for all my doors and windows.

[raymonvdm]

The KAKU magnetic contacts are quit low on signal level is my experience. Therefore i`m using the Z-Wave version but these are expensive. (Everspring)

How do you control the ELV thermostats ? (Pics/Specs/Howto)

[soitjes]

Currently I'm using the standard java applet that comes with the ELV Max! Of course, I'm going to write an xPL application that allows me to integrate everything in my Digital Home Server application, but for the moment I'm too busy with other things.

I had my share of problems with the ELV Max!. It used to have bad software (see Robert Hekkers blog), but that is ok now. It's just that the plastic adaptor pieces that come with the radiator valves are of such a lousy quality that I finally replaced them with metal adaptor pieces (at a whopping 8 euro per piece), and then it fits without any problem.

Soitjes.

[soitjes]

Just for follow-up : I bought a DS18, which is a lot cheaper than the DS90, and works equally well with the RFXLAN. Price is around 27 euro (compared to 50 euro for DS90).

I guess that is about the cheapest I can get for a door/windows sensor (excluding homeasy etc.).

Soitjes.