Remotely Operate Lights (X10 or)?

#1

I’d like to be able to turn a few lights around the house on or off remotely. I’d like to start off with only one or two light switches like this but be able to expand upward to as many as I like. For a control module it needs to be something that I can operate from an internet-connected computer running Linux, whether there is full-fledged control software already written, or just an API or documentation for me to write my own I don’t really care, but in the end, through this computer I want to be able to control all my lights over the internet through a browser and/or my android phone.

So to get this kind of setup, what is my best and cheapest option, and where would I go to buy them? For starters I would need a control that can be operated from a computer running Linux, and one or two light switches.

Thanks for any pointers or advice you can give me.

#2

http://www.insteon.net/products-home.html try some of the stuff from here?

#3

if i am reading that right you have to purchase the control box and then the software separately? why wouldn’t they just package it together?

#4

Plus I see no insteon support for linux, just windows.

Has anyone used something like X10? I’m just not quite sure what I need exactly to get started.

#5

http://www.linuxha.com/athome/common/iplcd/

#6

My dad has had a system like this setup in his home for atleast 6 years now. Ill ask him about it.

#7

Being last updated in 2007 doesn’t look too good. :frowning:

That would be excellent, I’d like to know what software and hardware he uses if possible.

#8

many relays and simple AVR micro, something like enc28j60 for netwrok support… build one board with say 6 relays on and boom. just have a simple web interface to turn pins either high or low to activate the relay (transistor (+diode) obv)

#9

I wasn’t aware that anyone made 120V AC relays, do they? Also, that would probably cost far more, and I’d have to run wire, rather than buy something pre-made for this.

#10

[quote=“Moparisthebest, post:9, topic:433417”][quote author=chri5 link=topic=536137.msg3923009#msg3923009 date=1329924700]
many relays and simple AVR micro, something like enc28j60 for netwrok support… build one board with say 6 relays on and boom. just have a simple web interface to turn pins either high or low to activate the relay (transistor (+diode) obv)
[/quote]

I wasn’t aware that anyone made 120V AC relays, do they? Also, that would probably cost far more, and I’d have to run wire, rather than buy something pre-made for this.[/quote]

You can get 120V AC relays for $13, and I would rather have hardware control vs wireless or through power line. It also gives you the experience of working with something like this

#11

[quote=“mwiebelhaus, post:10, topic:433417”][quote author=Moparisthebest link=topic=536137.msg3923130#msg3923130 date=1329933520]

I wasn’t aware that anyone made 120V AC relays, do they? Also, that would probably cost far more, and I’d have to run wire, rather than buy something pre-made for this.
[/quote]

You can get 120V AC relays for $13, and I would rather have hardware control vs wireless or through power line. It also gives you the experience of working with something like this[/quote]

I don’t need experience, I’m sure I could figure it out if I wanted to, but wireless or transmitting commands over the power lines would surely be preferable than running new sets of wires all over my entire house wouldn’t it? (yes :))

No use re-inventing the wheel. :smiley:

#12

[quote=“Moparisthebest, post:11, topic:433417”][quote author=mwiebelhaus link=topic=536137.msg3923605#msg3923605 date=1329965971]

You can get 120V AC relays for $13, and I would rather have hardware control vs wireless or through power line. It also gives you the experience of working with something like this
[/quote]

I don’t need experience, I’m sure I could figure it out if I wanted to, but wireless or transmitting commands over the power lines would surely be preferable than running new sets of wires all over my entire house wouldn’t it? (yes :))

No use re-inventing the wheel. :D[/quote]

Ahh I guess, im running cable for my network now so I guess its not as big of a deal to me

#13

You still aren’t going to run it to every switch box and outlet in your whole house are you? :stuck_out_tongue:

#14

Just the ones I am going to control lol, I have a very tall attaic, enough to create a second floor and have another attic still, and all the electrical wiring runs over the attic so I just have to drop some cat5 down next to it