Greetings all!
After years of using Vera, I’ve gotten a little tired of the slow development and lack of real flexibility. So I’ve ordered an Aeon Labs Aeotec Z-Wave Z-Stick, Gen5 USB controller with the intent to test out Indigo and HomeSeer.
Being honest, I was mostly looking at HomeSeer until something in my Google searches brought Indigo to my attention…and considering my massive preference of Mac over PC it really made me stop and realize I was going to try this out first.
It looks like a solid support community here, so I figured I’d rattle off some of my questions and desires to see if anyone had any input or recommendations to get me started off well instead of altering my plans later as I discover things.
My VeraLite currently has 33 Z-Wave devices paired, with maybe another dozen I have yet to add. I have an older ADT Safewatch Pro 3000 alarm and I purchased the EnvisaLink interface for it and have it assigned to an IP on my network.
I have also tinkered with the MySensors Arduino project with the Vera, and I would love to be able to implement an array of cheap sensors: temp/humidity, motion, light, IR emit/receive, PWM LED light strips, etc.
Programming via PLEG and LUA in Vera was a total pain in the butt…this interface looks much easier to use. I live in Texas so the temperature variations can be extreme. In spring and fall, it is very possible to need heating overnight and mornings, yet need a little bit of A/C in the afternoon. The Vera does not do this well at all…and don’t get me started on how poorly they have done the UI7 version of Thermostats by removing the simple control of Cool_Setpoint and Heat_Setpoint.
Quick look at my devices:
• 1x Aeon Labs AEDSB09104ZWUS Aeotec Z-Wave Smart Energy Monitor
• 2x Trane TZEMT400BB3 Remote Energy Management Thermostat
• 1x Leviton SC1 Scene Controller Switch
• 14x Assorted Dimmers
• 15x Assorted On/Off switches/outlets
Future Plans:
• Insteon USB Interface
• Insteon FanLinc (2475F) so I can put separate Fan & Light controls where I do not have separate circuits to the switch and cannot replace the 14/2 with 14/3 wiring. Replace the single switch with an Insteon 2334-232 Keypad Dimmer Switch with 6-Button pad.
• Upgrade regular incandescent dimmers to LED/CFL compatible ones
• 3x GE 12730 Z-Wave Smart Fan Controls where I do have fan+light switches.
I also have a GE 45631 keypad controller that is a partial implementation of Z-wave scenes and sucks for the most part…if I could get it to reliably work just as a trigger-pad for actual scenes it would become useful to me. Same with the GE 45600 handheld remote control…useless in general but if I could use it as a reliable trigger it would be nice.
Regarding Arduino stuff, I’m hoping to get reliable wireless control points where I can do stuff like this:
• Put a magnetic sensor in cabinet doors so when they are opened it can turn on LED strip lighting inside the cabinet with light level determined by either a light-level sensor or time of day/what existing lights are on.
• Control RGB LED strips for mood lighting in certain areas. Have created some prototype MOSFET boards that will house the Arduino and radio module and run everything off the 12V supply the LED strips need.
• Cheap motion sensors and temperature/humidity sensors.
• Water Flow meters on assorted locations
• Inline water temp sensors to check hot water temps at appliances (washer, dishwasher, etc.)
• Temp Sensors in HVAC ducts to measure room-by-room feeds
• IR receiver and emitter configs so controller can send “IR Blaster” type signals to AV equipment.
The wireless part is key due to 60% of my downstairs areas not being accessible to run wiring, so Cat5 or other low-voltage options are not possible. I need to be able to place a few units in places where only power exists. I know there are some Z-Wave devices that do some of this, but at 4x to 6x the cost of assembling an Arduino and still not having as many options.
Anyway, very long introduction but I wanted to share my desires and goals in case others on here have either done some of these and have advice, or maybe inspire others to join in and work together to find a way to achieve them.
Ross