RE: X10 Heating & Security Automation - Another Newbie Question!

["Ian Lowe" <ian@xxxxxxx>]

well, if your heating system has a standard mount for the timer (looks like=
a black pattress box, with a row of connectors along the top edge) then you=
can quite easily automate  the heating system by simply connecting up = an
AM10 module, a plug and some screw strip. :)

What I did was:

Unscrew the digital timer, and using my multimeter as an ammeter, check tha= t
simply connecting the "common" input with the "heating on&qu= ot; or "hot water on"
control lines made the appropriate system come on.  It seems that thes= e
timers use 240v signalling, but don't deliver much current at all.

next test for me was to make sure that the 240v common was just 240v mains,=
rather than some processed/isolated feed. Again, some prodding with the
multimeter showed that connecting *any* Live feed to the 240v "heating= on"
line made the system come on..

I then rigged up two AM10s, one for my central heating, one for hot water,<= BR> with two plugs (each with only the "live" connected) and some str= ipblock.

now, when I turn on "H1" the central heating comes on, H2-ON give= s me hot
water :)

in homeseer, I created these two modules, then created a series of "vi= rtual
devices" G1, G2, G3, G4 etc.

When G1 ON is sent, Homeseer turns on H1, waits a minute, and turns G1 OFF<= BR> again, so it can be retriggered, waits for one hour, then turns H1 Off
again.. so if a G1 ON is sent, it boosts the heating for an hour. G2 does i= t
for two hours.. G3 and 4 do the same for Hot water

may not be the best way to do it, but it works for us! :)

Ian.


-----Original Message-----
From: a.livingstone [mailto:alivingstone@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 15 May 2002 16:13
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx Subject: [ukha_d] X10 Heating & Security Automation - Another Newbie Question!


Hi Everyone,

First off apologies for the length of this post but I tried to
include as much info as possibe - try and bear with me...

I have some existing X10 kit as follows :

IR7243 IR -> X10 Controller
CM12U Computer Interface
2 x LW10 Wall Dimmers
2 x LM10 Lamp Modules
6 x AM10 Appliance Modules (one controlling motorised curtains)
A Marantz RC5000i to control all this stuff and my home theatre kit,
etc.
Some macros are programmed in the IR7243 via ActiveHome.
And I've just started playing with HomeSeer this week - nice...

I'd like a simple and affordable modular solution to controlling my
home heating and then add home security into one integrated,
automated package.

Priority 1 - Home Heating control:
I have a standard oil fired boiler controlled by a digital timer in a
cupboard.  Initially I would like to 'bypass' this timer (leave it on<= BR> 24/7?) and control the boiler with timers trigering X10 commands and
be able to manually over ride the timers from my handset (manual
on/off, advance, 1 hour boost, etc.).  Later I'd like to add
temperature sensors to force the boiler on / off when the temperature
falls / rises above certain levels inside or out.

Priority 2 - External Security Lighting:
I want to replace the 5 existing external flood lights around the
house with X10 activated ones and set up security zones and staged
alerts, i.e. 2 lights activated within a short time of each other
would sound an internal alert or an external warn away. I'd like to
be able to log this somewhere and monitor activity via the net.  I
assume this can be done simply enough with HomeSeer and existing X10
kit.  Later I'll add a couple of cameras which I'll also be able to monitor via the net (I have a cable modem).

Priority 3 - Internal Security System:
I have mentioned 2 above as I want to be able to integrate the
external lights into a home security system which will monitor
internal space and external windows and doors.  I want to be able to monitor / control this via the web or mobile phone and it will ring /
email me on certain status alerts.  (Any other suggestions other than<= BR> Home Comfort as the start up prices for that can be a little off
putting!)

Note that I have an existing hard wired alarm system which looks to
be a few years old.  It has been mothballed since I moved in several months ago - the alarm company wanted nearly =A3600 up front for
servicing, reprogramming, 12  months monitoring and a 'joining fee' as I was a new customer.  Guess what - they didn't get it!
I assume the existing cables or maybe even the existing PIR detectors
can be used on a new system?  There are 2 keypads - one upstairs /
one down, 1 internal door sensor on the entry / exit route and 8
internal PIR sensors.  The alarm is not armed but still active as it activated when I disturbed a PIR sensor while redecorating and I had
to
ring the alram company for a reset code - they tried to charge me
=A335 for that...

I'd like my home automation system to be modular and as cheap as
possible so that I can build it bit by bit as and when I have the
money - new house has sapped all the money and life out of me!
It also needs to be a simple enough solution to implement - I've
replaced a heating timer before and I'm great with computers but I'm
no electrician and know very little about electricity other than it
hurts.  Also running new cables may be a problem as the entire ground<= BR> floor is solid concrete floors and walls.

So - who's doing or has done something similar?
Any thoughts / ideas / advice?


Cheers,   :o)

Anthony.





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