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The Coolhome Automation System
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History:
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I started experimenting with home automation around 1978.
It started in my apartment with a BSR timer and a few wall modules. With
the
purchase of a condo, the system was expanded to a dozen wall switches and modules
controlled by the trusty BSR timer and a couple of control pads. Next was our
first house where the system was expanded to nearly 20 switches and modules.
I actually wrote my own PC control software on a CPM computer that I had built, to create our first smart home.
Finally, with our last move to a new home I started creating our fourth
generation of home automation system. There are over 35 installed wall
switches, a half dozen wall modules, infrared sensors, cameras, sprinkler
controller, etc. This has become a never-ending but fun project.
I hope that you
will find some of this information useful.
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System Capability:
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Currently, my home automation does many things to make my life
just a little bit easier (at lest I like to think so). As mentioned above, the
system is constantly evolving and
features removed and added frequently. Here are some highlights of it
capabilities.
 | Device control, such as lights, appliance, and home theater via remotes,
keypads and the web. |
| Weather Station with information displayed on two wireless LCD panels,
channel 70 on all TV's and of course a web page. |
| Lighting control based on sunrise and sunset. |
| Vacation lighting sequences for that 'lived in look'. |
| Irrigation and watering control. |
| Hot water pump control. |
| Infrared control of the home entertainment system: TV, Surround Sound, DVD,
VCR, DTV |
| One wireless and two hardwired exterior monitoring color cameras
displayed on channels 112, 114, 116 on all TV's. |
| Web camera with motion sensor at front door. |
| Motion-based lighting control. |
| Complex scene lighting such as night pathway lighting. |
| Movie scene lighting for that home theater feel. |
| Web Wireless control via a Jornada 680 or Omnibook 800 laptop. |
| Web Control from anywhere in the world. |
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Hardware Configuration:
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There are some home automation controllers on the market that
run standalone and do not require a computer. They are traditionally more
expensive than the ones that do require a computer. I chose to use a fairly
inexpensive controller with a laptop for greater flexibility, remote web access and
low power consumption. The specifications are as follows:
| HP Omnibook 800 |
| Windows 98 |
| Pentium II 133Mhz |
| 80Mb RAM |
| 2Gb Storage |
| APC Back-UPS 400VA |
Other elements include:
| Oregon Scientific Wireless Weather Station |
| HP Omnibook Laptops acting as Servers for the WebCam and the Weather Station |
| DSL Gateway from Linksys |
| Orinoco RG1000 802.11b Wireless Access Point |
| Jornada 690 with Orinoco 802.11 card for wireless web access |
| Omnibook 800 with Orinoco 802.11 PCMCIA card for wireless web access |
| 3 Networked PC's for family usage |
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Software:
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The computer is running
HomeSeer's phenomenal home automation software. Put simply, there is no better software
on the market for the home automation hobbyist running a Windows-platform
system. Some feature highlights are as follows:
| Microsoft Windows 9x/Me/2000 compatible |
| Works with X10's CM11A and Applied Digital's Ocelot/CUPXA controllers |
| Built-In Web server for remote control |
| Can display email via web interface |
| Voice recognition with Microsoft Agent technology |
| Voice acknowledgement of commands |
| Security system integration |
| Supports all popular infrared controllers |
| Events may be triggered by time, X10 command received, sunrise/sunset,
various conditions like elapsed time on or off, by email, or recurring. |
| Visual Basic Script support for anything that can't be done with the basic
control software. |
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Contoller(s):
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I am currently using the Home Director HD11A interface which
is equivalent to X10's
CM11A interface. It is simple and works very well with the HomeSeer
Software.
The best deal for an IR controller is the very simple device
from Midon Designs that plugs into your parallel port. (Some assembly required)
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Modules:
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| Most of the modules I use are from the SmartLinc line of products. At last count I am using the following:
| 35 Wall Switch Modules -- SwitchLinc 2-way, SwitchLinc LS |
| 5 X10 - Lamp Modules |
| 1 X10 - Relay Module |
| 1 8 Button Wall Mount 2-Way Keypad (SmartLinc) |
| 2 X10 - Mini-Controllers |
| 2 Wireless Controllers |
| 1 X10 - Appliance Module |
| 3 HawkEye Motion Detectors |
| 3 Radio Frequency Receivers |
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Summary:
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There are may ways to implement a home automation system.
It is always interesting to see what each individual enjoys doing the most.
For the record, I have a love-hate relationship with the SmartLinc products.
There are some of the most capable products on the market. They are also
less reliable than average. Before deciding on these products I would
recommend checking the home automation message boards:
Message Board Link
Here are links to my favorite supplier web sites.
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