Home Automation, Lights and Locks.

Camit

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HomeKit what a joke
 

nayr

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without scripting HomeAutomation is a gimmick.. Thats where real intelligence comes from.. Just turning on/off devices remotely is limited in usefulness, but devices turning them selves on and off when conditions are met.. well thats actually smart.

If you want a SmartHome; you need to be willing to pickup some basic coding skills, or already be endowed with such knowledge.. otherwise dont bother.
 

hmjgriffon

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without scripting HomeAutomation is a gimmick.. Thats where real intelligence comes from.. Just turning on/off devices remotely is limited in usefulness, but devices turning them selves on and off when conditions are met.. well thats actually smart.

If you want a SmartHome; you need to be willing to pickup some basic coding skills, or already be endowed with such knowledge.. otherwise dont bother.
Damn right
 

cornholio

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without scripting HomeAutomation is a gimmick.. Thats where real intelligence comes from.. Just turning on/off devices remotely is limited in usefulness, but devices turning them selves on and off when conditions are met.. well thats actually smart.

If you want a SmartHome; you need to be willing to pickup some basic coding skills, or already be endowed with such knowledge.. otherwise dont bother.
I don't want to sound contrary for the sake of it.. But scripts can have bugs too. "At 6 am everyday turn on coffee machine".. "At 6 am everyday day check that there is a coffee mug and then turn on coffee machine"

It can only be as smart as the guy who wrote the script.

Smart/intelligence IMO is when you can make it learn your patterns. "This person has a coffee setting at 6 am tomorrow and has a history of forgetting to put a coffee mug and then cleaning up the mess when he finds coffee spilt all over the floor. He'll curse himself and be in a bad mood all day. Remind him to put the coffee mug under coffee dispenser after dinner and say 'Good Job' when he does it"

I also think that even without scripts it's great to have what is commonly known as home automation. Being able to remote unlock doors, turn off lights, close garage doors etc.
 

nayr

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if you have a single serving coffee maker whats the point of automating that? too lazy to wait the 30s for it to pour? If your automating something that can make a mess, you should test it well before letting it go on its own.. script or not.. Ive got an automated fishtank thats capable of ruining my house with its limitless watersupply thats plumbed up, you can bet your sweet ass thats got more failsafes in place than anything else and I did tons of testing on it.

patterns only work if you live your life on schedules, and thats not my house.. want to shut the furnace off if a door/window is left open longer than 10mins, then turn it back on when its been closed? script.. Want to turn the TV off after midnight if no motion detected for 30mins? Script. Want to get notified when laundry/dishes are done? script. Want your garage door to close its self automatically? Script

If you just want to bang things on timers and control things remotely then fine, but your missing out on alot.. and when you control the actions and reactions, you know how its going to react.. if its learning, then who knows what the fuck its going to do and when its going to do it.. your stuck w/its programming and have to train it like a puppy to do what you want.

The number of times I open my automation UI and fire off something manually is very minimal, couple times a week perhaps.. the rest of the stuff happens all on its own.. My wife's never even opened it once even though I set it up on her phone, the interest she has in using her phone to turn on/off stuff: zero, zip, ziltch, nada
 
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cornholio

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if you have a single serving coffee maker whats the point of automating that? too lazy to wait the 30s for it to pour? If your automating something that can make a mess, you should test it well before letting it go on its own.. script or not.. Ive got an automated fishtank thats capable of ruining my house with its limitless watersupply thats plumbed up, you can bet your sweet ass thats got more failsafes in place than anything else and I did tons of testing on it.

patterns only work if you live your life on schedules, and thats not my house.. want to shut the furnace off if a door/window is left open longer than 10mins, then turn it back on when its been closed? script.. Want to turn the TV off after midnight if no motion detected for 30mins? Script. Want to get notified when laundry/dishes are done? script. Want your garage door to close its self automatically? Script

If you just want to bang things on timers and control things remotely then fine, but your missing out on alot.. and when you control the actions and reactions, you know how its going to react.. if its learning, then who knows what the fuck its going to do and when its going to do it.. your stuck w/its programming and have to train it like a puppy to do what you want.

The number of times I open my automation UI and fire off something manually is very minimal, couple times a week perhaps.. the rest of the stuff happens all on its own.. My wife's never even opened it once even though I set it up on her phone, the interest she has in using her phone to turn on/off stuff: zero, zip, ziltch, nada
It's great that you test. It's even better that you have an amazing evolved scripted setup that works for you. I imagine you spent a lot of time on this.

I can't imagine my home reaching that level of sophistication anytime soon. Could be because I'm not motivated enough.

Oddly enough the learning bit sounds more interesting to me (even though I have no idea what the model would look like and how I would go about training it) But for that I have to at least get to the point where most of the stuff is scripted so that there is enough data worth playing with.

<writes it down in the never ending list of cool projects to be done when there is time>
 
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I use an ISY with IR and Z-wave modules. I have Insteon, Z-wave and webcontrols interacting with each other via the ISY. I also have integration with Echo, Harmony, Tasker/auto voice and BI. Like Domiticz, ISY can take a bit more work to set up.

My setup does true automation as well as simple things like turn things on/off by my phone or voice. I have motions triggers from BI turn Z-wave and Insteon switches to 100%(automatically set to a dimmer level of local sunrise/set times) and trigger an audiable notification via a z-wave doorbell that you can load your own mp3 audio files(so it says things X door open or X motion detected). I use the webcontrols for pool automation(I use temp sensor input to determine time for pump to run and it's relay outputs to control pump speeds and valves-theirs other systems that can do the same and some even work with ISY but not for $35) and another HVAC zone control/house fan control. Z-wave Thermostat temps and webcontrol temps control Insteon fan speeds. Lights automatically controlled by sunset, set times, motion and actual LUX levels. I have a couple of Z-wave Thermostats that work as remote controls for for the main Thermostat via the ISY.

I also have An August doorbell and door lock, wish I just got a z-wave doorlock. Aside from not being able to use the doorbell cam as an IP cam with BI I'b be mostly happy with the feature set if it actually worked like it's supposed to. Since it seems to work fine for my wife and she uses an iphone and I don't feel like trying to deal with setting some proper automation like I have on Android I'll wait until they break before moving on to something else.

I'm pretty happy I chose to go with the ISY, it's pretty powerful/versatile without costing that much. It's great that it's not cloud based and all my important things can still run as normal even if the ISY is offline. I do wish the development was faster for all the new stuff that's been coming to it.
 

hmjgriffon

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I use an ISY with IR and Z-wave modules. I have Insteon, Z-wave and webcontrols interacting with each other via the ISY. I also have integration with Echo, Harmony, Tasker/auto voice and BI. Like Domiticz, ISY can take a bit more work to set up.

My setup does true automation as well as simple things like turn things on/off by my phone or voice. I have motions triggers from BI turn Z-wave and Insteon switches to 100%(automatically set to a dimmer level of local sunrise/set times) and trigger an audiable notification via a z-wave doorbell that you can load your own mp3 audio files(so it says things X door open or X motion detected). I use the webcontrols for pool automation(I use temp sensor input to determine time for pump to run and it's relay outputs to control pump speeds and valves-theirs other systems that can do the same and some even work with ISY but not for $35) and another HVAC zone control/house fan control. Z-wave Thermostat temps and webcontrol temps control Insteon fan speeds. Lights automatically controlled by sunset, set times, motion and actual LUX levels. I have a couple of Z-wave Thermostats that work as remote controls for for the main Thermostat via the ISY.

I also have An August doorbell and door lock, wish I just got a z-wave doorlock. Aside from not being able to use the doorbell cam as an IP cam with BI I'b be mostly happy with the feature set if it actually worked like it's supposed to. Since it seems to work fine for my wife and she uses an iphone and I don't feel like trying to deal with setting some proper automation like I have on Android I'll wait until they break before moving on to something else.

I'm pretty happy I chose to go with the ISY, it's pretty powerful/versatile without costing that much. It's great that it's not cloud based and all my important things can still run as normal even if the ISY is offline. I do wish the development was faster for all the new stuff that's been coming to it.
What do you do for a living? I'm gonna look into this ISY out of curiosity, I'm using domoticz now and it's working well I'm only limited by my own technical abilities. How are you interfacing with insteon? Are you using insteon stuff because there was no zwave equivalent or you just wanted to be able to use whatever seemed like the best device?
 
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What do you do for a living? I'm gonna look into this ISY out of curiosity, I'm using domoticz now and it's working well I'm only limited by my own technical abilities. How are you interfacing with insteon? Are you using insteon stuff because there was no zwave equivalent or you just wanted to be able to use whatever seemed like the best device?
I'm not sure how this is reliant for the subject but I service CNC machines(I guess technically that's automation but totally different than home automation).

I'm pretty sure UDI started out making the ISY purely for automation of Insteon(Insteon hub can't do any calculations), it physically inter acts with Insteon and x10 devices via an Insteaon serial PLM. I mostly use Insteon for wall switches and fan controllers, so basically yes to there no zwave equivalent(currently Insteon has the best fan controllers and multi button switches/dimmers, I also like LEDs on the wall dimmers that indicate dim level). I went with ISY because it offered programming that was powerful enough to do the things I wanted, I liked that I had options on what devices I could interact with so I could pick what best fits my wants/needs/wallet. I replaced my Insteon wall and remote Thermostats with Z-waves ones because they didn't update temp to the controller very well so they didn't work well to trigger my fan speed programs and you could only have 1 as a master, the way I'm using my Z-wave thermostats all 3 can be masters(well more like 2.75 because the remote ones will trigger set point changes on the main one to start/stop heating/cooling but all 3 can manually adjusted at anytime).

One thing I really like better about Domoticz over ISY is how it's really good at telling you what each parameter on z-wave devices does (at least the ones that are easy to query). Out of all my z-wave devices only my old style Aeotech multi sensors give info about parameters on ISY(I think that's supposed to change as z-wave is still in developemant on ISY, and they still working better device/scene support). As I had mention to the slowness is the only thing I'm happy about, them deciding to re-write the z-wave thing didn't help with that.

Adding up Insteon and z-wave devices on ISY is pretty straight forward, it gets a bit tougher when you get into Node servers(at least setting up the external part on a RBPi or PC) or using rest commands(that's how I interact with BI). All the external 3rd party stuff opens up a lot support for other stuff but makes thing more complicated, like with Harmony ISY only natively supports IR but you can better integration using something like ISYhelper(this is at no fault of UDI as they tried getting the APIs from Harmony but I guess they felt UDI was too small) or a Node server for Hue(UDI has developed they're own call Polygon). While not required as I could just use rest commands, I'm using a node server for my webcontrols(it's nice seeing it's in/outputs in the device menu and makes using it in programs easier). ISY isn't for the average person(at least not if you plan on using it to it's potential), you have to like to think and tinker. but if you can do Domoticz then ISY could also be a good fit for you.
 

hmjgriffon

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I'm not sure how this is reliant for the subject but I service CNC machines(I guess technically that's automation but totally different than home automation).

I'm pretty sure UDI started out making the ISY purely for automation of Insteon(Insteon hub can't do any calculations), it physically inter acts with Insteon and x10 devices via an Insteaon serial PLM. I mostly use Insteon for wall switches and fan controllers, so basically yes to there no zwave equivalent(currently Insteon has the best fan controllers and multi button switches/dimmers, I also like LEDs on the wall dimmers that indicate dim level). I went with ISY because it offered programming that was powerful enough to do the things I wanted, I liked that I had options on what devices I could interact with so I could pick what best fits my wants/needs/wallet. I replaced my Insteon wall and remote Thermostats with Z-waves ones because they didn't update temp to the controller very well so they didn't work well to trigger my fan speed programs and you could only have 1 as a master, the way I'm using my Z-wave thermostats all 3 can be masters(well more like 2.75 because the remote ones will trigger set point changes on the main one to start/stop heating/cooling but all 3 can manually adjusted at anytime).

One thing I really like better about Domoticz over ISY is how it's really good at telling you what each parameter on z-wave devices does (at least the ones that are easy to query). Out of all my z-wave devices only my old style Aeotech multi sensors give info about parameters on ISY(I think that's supposed to change as z-wave is still in developemant on ISY, and they still working better device/scene support). As I had mention to the slowness is the only thing I'm happy about, them deciding to re-write the z-wave thing didn't help with that.

Adding up Insteon and z-wave devices on ISY is pretty straight forward, it gets a bit tougher when you get into Node servers(at least setting up the external part on a RBPi or PC) or using rest commands(that's how I interact with BI). All the external 3rd party stuff opens up a lot support for other stuff but makes thing more complicated, like with Harmony ISY only natively supports IR but you can better integration using something like ISYhelper(this is at no fault of UDI as they tried getting the APIs from Harmony but I guess they felt UDI was too small) or a Node server for Hue(UDI has developed they're own call Polygon). While not required as I could just use rest commands, I'm using a node server for my webcontrols(it's nice seeing it's in/outputs in the device menu and makes using it in programs easier). ISY isn't for the average person(at least not if you plan on using it to it's potential), you have to like to think and tinker. but if you can do Domoticz then ISY could also be a good fit for you.
I was just kinda wondering if you had an IT or electronics background. :)
 
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I was just kinda wondering if you had an IT or electronics background. :)
Never had an IT job but I do know enough about it to get into trouble(I know nothing like many of the guys I've seen on here), I do have have a pretty complex home network though, spanning tree of L2 switches, VLANs and VPN. Prior to Field service I did work as an electronics technician at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory(my job was to build the electronic devices not design them) and while I know the basics in electronics I'm much stronger on electrical and mechanical.
 

LulaNord

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Hi...i am a new user here. I think one thing you should note, schlage offers a manual or antilock version door handle. the manual version you can physically turn the unlock knob on the inside so door stays unlocked or leave in locked position and it will require the code each time for entry to room or house.All of mine can be overridden with a master key, the new ones I've seen at Lowe's don't have a master key.With any key lock there is the potential for bumping.
Schlage keypad has a 10key face. I recommend setting several codes, you will leave dirt and wear on the keys that will identify the ones used. Several people using different codes will make this very difficult. imagine this with Kwikset if you only have 5 keys to pick from.

pcb assembly service
 
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Bapski

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Domoticz + Z-Stick been doing me good, everything always fires off as expected.. but setup/configuration is a bit more involved.

but my Z-Wave network is large and healthy, when I was first building it sometimes things would not trigger but that went away once I had good basic coverage throughout the house
View attachment 14992
what software are you using for that data?

thanks.
 
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