New home: have to choose domotica system

Post by **DJF3** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:05 pm

Hi,

In a few months I will be moving into a new house. A good moment to think about the domotica system I will be using. There's quite a few systems, each with its (dis)advantages. Arguments:
-SW availability
-Price
-Wireless/wired/through-electrical-wiring

It might be great if everyone can add some info to a table that allows newbies to make a good choice.

-Marmitek (x10): cheap, lots of software, less reliable
-Xanura (a10/x10): expensive, lots of software, more reliable
-S10 (x10): *cheap*, lots of software, less reliable

The Xanura SAIX modules seem to be great, but cost more than twice the X10/S10 version. That has a significant impact on my budget..

So what should I choose?
Are there alternatives for X10 that have advantages over x10?

Any ideas?

Tnx!
DJ

Post by **Snelvuur** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:32 pm

Well i'am going for xanura, but if you check the forum you can read that some have problems with it because of interference. Beside that there have also been defects in the models too with some people. You can also try z-wave but there is not alot of stuff to get for it, there is also Moeller but i dont think there is alot of software around for it (and i'am not up 2 date about that) I think i can see for all around here that even if you have a nice system with xanura or x10 or s10, be prepared that at some point your bound to get some weird results/effects from time to time.

Only 1 advise really, dont go for "klik aan/klik uit" because if you have a few people around you or whatever you come back to your house and find the lights are turned on , or off.

Just read through the forum is the best advise.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **b_weijenberg** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:36 am

Switching On and Off KlikAan-KlikUit by your neighbors is not a reason to go for another system. If you have an RF receiver connected to your HA system even wired types like Xanura and other types will have the same problem.

Post by **Snelvuur** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:28 am

i used to have klik aan klik uit, i went to x10 for that reason. with x10 the chances are far less and you have alot more channels to pick from. But to give you an idea, almost *every* day my lights would go on and off during the day and night for no apparent reason, thats because alot of neighbours had it too i suppose. And cant you install with xanura some devices in your mains that will block outside x10 messages? So far i know this is present.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **MindBender** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:27 am

I have Xanura, but if you've read my previous posts you would know that Marmiteks micro modules are exactly the same, all the way down to the protocol. Marmitek doesn't specify all features Xanura does, but they are supported by the module. Writing new firmware to disable those probably posed more problems than it solved. (Xanura does have a triac to handle the rush in current, after that the bi-stable relay takes over. This is Eaton patented, so Marmitek doesn't have this. But it makes the 10A specified by Marmitek dubious at least because the relay is rated at 5A)

I am not very happy with my decision for X10: If I could do it all over again I would go for something different. X10 is slow, unreliable and there's no way to compensate for that. The only advantage is that it uses existing wiring, though you might need to add a neutral wire or two... For me it's too late now: My house is full of it and it works 'fairly well'. But unfortunately my standards are a bit higher

Post by **Snelvuur** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:38 pm

@mindbender: if you could do it all over, what would you get then, at least thats the question now

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **MindBender** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:18 pm

If I could do it all over I would go for one of these possibilities (in random order):
<ul><li>Using a system with a faster and more reliable protocol over mains power lines. A couple of manufacturers already have product available. Unfortunately these systems aren't as 'Open' as X10, but I can find a way around that. The solution is more expensive too, but I think it's outweighs the 4 second response time to a switch and the missing packets.</li>
<li>Using a PLC per floor to handle switches and control actuators locally, as a dumb controller. The PLCs could be controlled centrally by a PC using RS-422 ports. PLCs are readily available at low prices on sites as eBay and Marktplaats (Dutch).</li>
<li>Rewiring the electrical system to bring all wires to a central point where lights are controller by DMX dimmers and relays. A PLC or VME computer running Linux could control everything.</li></ul>

Post by **Snelvuur** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:23 pm

I wonder if you can use DMX more in the house, i'am still in the process of playing with that. It uses a bus technology so its somewhat more difficult to add new things to it.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **MindBender** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:45 pm

DMX is a very simple serial protocal with multi drop signaling. There's nothing to it, I've worked with it before (http://www.amazingcontrols.com/Products ... Xinfo.html). You can easily implement this protocol yourself, but that's off-topic.

Post by **Snelvuur** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:49 pm

http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?T ... hTerms=dmx you mean that one right?

// Erik (binkey.nl)