Home Automation

[meseta]

@jkCBWPnet
Yes, I was looking for wireless (no power-line networking, and no running wires everywhere), and cost per controller. The criteria I was looking for is the same as Bob mentioned in the first post - "specifically via IP" (or bridgeable using a cheap bridge device), something that I could control from an web-interface from my phone while I was away from the house. And "to switch mains relays", "for things like turning lights on and off, etc.", but preferably also some GPIO capability, and current measurements for power consumption feedback. I'm open to making, I have experience with microcontrollers, electronics, etc.

I don't live in a metal barn, 2.4GHz radio signal is not a big issue in this house (and the spectrum isn't very crowded at the moment, few neighbours on this side of the street).

I'm looking for a ball-park figure for the cheapest option, to the nearest $50 would be fine. I'm just curious, there's no imminent need, so I don't want to take up too much of your time!

[bobfixesstuff]

@meseta,

I've had success with a Foscam IP camera. It broadcasts via ethernet or wifi, sends real time camera feed to a smartphone. (I've had to buy an inexpensive app for my android, but it works well).

The Foscam does motion sensing, and its web server can email you, or use an instant messaging client. Its sensitivity can be adjusted.

It can also be set to take photos, or record video if it sees activity. Some Foscam model I believe also has a relay output for triggering a local alarm, as well as an input (so if it can't see an intruder, it can be triggered into action by a signal coming from another device, such as a pressure switch under a carpet or something.)

All in all I think such cameras (self contained, single units) are perhaps the best simple option for keeping an eye on your house while you're away, because they do so many things for one device and one price tag.

Being single devices it's also feasable to have them wired into a redundant power supply, so a power cut (as long as it's not a power cut that lasts too long), won't interfere with it.

For home automation, I like the look of the Denkovi relay board. It too has inputs (for things like motion sensors, or break beam detectors), and the big relay boards control mains appliances inside the home. Denkovi's boards have built in web servers too, so again, smartphone control.

When you put two products like this together, you get pretty decent home surveillance and pretty decent home control for a pretty reasonable pricetag.

I think any company or product that offers home automation AND surveillance as part of one product line is bound to end up costing a lot of money, because you'd be buying a large integrated system, rather than a couple of gadgets.

Find the right couple of gadgets and you can do what you need for less. Buy a large system that encompasses all, and you end up paying for every perk at full price.

For example, a friend of mine bought an office surveillance system. The unit supports up to sixteen cameras, but only comes with four. Imagine now buying such an elaborate system but only using two cameras, and only having one intruder sensor? Too much money for too little practical use.

[meseta]

Hey bob, thanks for the tips! Do Denkovi do a wireless relay board? This youtube video shows what appears to be such a thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOwHk0kUWs0 I can't find any information about it on Denkovi's website or anywhere else!

[bobfixesstuff]

http://denkovi.com/product/37/internet- ... board.html

this Denkovi board set seeeeems to infer that it can connect via WAN in the crude schematic...

But Denkovi is a Bulgarian small firm, and their website is a little lacking on information, so I'm really a little out of my depth here.

I intend to buy one of their boards at some point, and when I do I'll write a full report on this forum, but until that time I'm afraid I'm as curious as you!

I've tried to phone Denkovi a few times, but never got through.

The youtube video you posted states loud and clear that all communication is done through a Wifi router, but I just can't see this feature listed on their website

confusion!!! annnoying!!!

[franklin97355]

http://denkovi.com/product/8/snmp-ethernet-controller-with-24-digital-analog-i-o.html
Here is a link to the card itself.

[meseta]

Hmm, it looks very much like they're saying that the board connects to a wireless router over ethernet via a cable, and the laptop connects to the wireless router over WiFi.


If that's the case then that's somewhat disappointingly misleading; the board is technically communicating with the laptop wirelessly, but not in the way you might like it to...

[bobfixesstuff]

Yes indeed, but this board...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH1ikc-1 ... re=related

a Denkovi, which I believe miiiiight be this board...

http://denkovi.com/product/42/snmp-and- ... odule.html

or a wi-fi version of it...

is definitely (in the youtube video) being controlled wirelessly. in the video it is firmly stated that the connection is wireless....

so something strange is going on here! maybe their wifi board is a different model no longer in production? or a new prototype?

[meseta]

Yes, I thought so too, well, I'll just wait for a WiFi version, or design my own.

[bobfixesstuff]

if only their website were more explicit.

those youtube videos look pretty explicit.... can only see power wire plugged into the boards, so by definition the communication must be wireless?!

if you design your own do please let me know! otherwise at some point I think I'm going to have to take a leap of faith with denkovi! and they haven't answered the phone to me yet

[meseta]

Well, I do have a very easy to use WiFi-capable development board that I designed (bottom of picture, the middle two are boards with integrated XBee, and the top is the bare dev board without radio modules). So it's just the case of designing a relay board, which I'll probably do today and send it off for production. I'll probably fit six to eight relays onto it, and add some serial bus capability to connect more relays.

I'm not looking for home automation right now, but I have a friend who has made his own cargo lift for his workshop who could do with a set of wireless/IP controlled relays to deal with the motor (the motor is a start-cap type synchronous AC motor, modified with a couple of switches to change the motor direction), so this board will probably first see use there before I start messing with the wiring in my home.

[Researcher]

Just wanteded to share that there is now an Android application for the DAEnetIP2 controller. You can control the board from anywhere with your Android Smartphone. Take a look at this app at http://www.iswitchllc.com/DAErelayBoardApp.html. We use this controller and the Android app to control low voltage lighting in a vacation home. Also we monitor the pressure and zone temperatures of the radient heating system. This gives great confort in knowing the house is safe from freezing temperatures in winter.

[Researcher]

The Android Application solution

RelayBoard Ex1.png (284.3 KiB) Viewed 1620 times

This is the Android solution I was speaking of for the above post.

[lyndon]

what did you use to draw that diagram?

[Researcher]

Downloaded it from the website

[lyndon]

What website? What's the program called?