[halfelite]

Just started getting in the hobby and let me tell you its more money then modding the car. I just wanted simple needs like lights/cameras/music. then it turned into trying to get the hvac system in there also. Anyone else into this or done in install?

[GotSTI?]

What exactly is a home automator?

[halfelite]

Originally Posted by GotSTI?

What exactly is a home automator?

You have a main controller laptop/handheld device/touch screen lcd, that will control say wich lights are on in the house if you want any of them dimmed. You can tell it your leaving to turn off all the lights and set the alarm or leave the outside lights on at dark. control the hvac unit by setting the temperature to what you want or telling it to always do x amount below outside temp or x amount above.

It can control your washer and dryer and even an oven now. They join into audio/video systems to stream movies and music anywhere in your home.

Some people like to call it a smart house.

[ChefMasterfunk]

SWEEET i want one

[rmo55c]

my parents got most of it wired into their house when they had the house completely rebuilt. Funny though, after three years they have not taken the time to get it completed (of course there in real estate and have no money now). It looks to be sweet as hell though when its done.

[halfelite]

Ye you always want more. there are so many options out there now I have mostly wireless since i didnt want to do a retro fit. But s far its working good

[JPWEraser]

I have most of my stuff running through a combination of X-10 for the smaller stuff and a programable Ocelot for the big stuff (appliances, A/C, etc.). It is kinda expensive but there are smart ways of doing it. The Ocelot is a little older but it does a great job. I use a Philips Pronto IR universal remote for my HT room control as well as a dynamic control of lighting and air temperature. I've probably replaced 80% or more of my light switches and outlets with X-10 compatible equipment over the few years I've been in it - I keep finding new stuff to do with it.

Smarthome - Home Automation, X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security

This is a great website for information but the prices are a little expensive.

[halfelite]

Originally Posted by JPWEraser

I have most of my stuff running through a combination of X-10 for the smaller stuff and a programable Ocelot for the big stuff (appliances, A/C, etc.). It is kinda expensive but there are smart ways of doing it. The Ocelot is a little older but it does a great job. I use a Philips Pronto IR universal remote for my HT room control as well as a dynamic control of lighting and air temperature. I've probably replaced 80% or more of my light switches and outlets with X-10 compatible equipment over the few years I've been in it - I keep finding new stuff to do with it.

Smarthome - Home Automation, X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security

This is a great website for information but the prices are a little expensive.

what software are you running with your adicon ocelot. I use insteon for most of my switches. I know there is cheaper solutions but i have had great luck with them so far.

[BluSTi]

All of the houses I work on are totally automated. Funny, considering the owners of said houses are friggin old and crusty and couldn't care less about the cool isht, just that the coffee machine works, the shower is hot, and Wapner is on at 3.

[JPWEraser]

Originally Posted by halfelite

what software are you running with your adicon ocelot. I use insteon for most of my switches. I know there is cheaper solutions but i have had great luck with them so far.

I use C-max to program the Ocelot. The interface for C-max has come a long way and there are more and more developers coming to the scene and keeping things fresh. It has advanced enough commands and if/then scenarios to really control anything you want. I view it kinda like an Excel spreadsheet. There may not be a direct and easy way to do a certain task, but there are strings of formulas to get you there. The thermostat control was actually a lot easier than I thought. RCS makes a bi-directional thermostat control module that is X-10 compatible interfaces with the Ocelot quite easily. I have figured out how to use an auxiliary thermostat in my HT room to override and modify thermostat bahavior in situations where the temperature in my HT room is more than 2 degrees higher than the thermostat reading in the hallway. The combination of my DLP TV, Cambridge receiver, and PS3 can make for some serious heat. The AC will kick on and bring the temperature to within that 2 degree variance level so for example when the movie is over and I walk out of my HT room, the temp in the rest of the house controlled by that thermostat isn't freezing cold. It's neat to play around with but it can get very time consuming if you let it!