Messages

16

Users / Re: Cheap knx push buttons?

« on: March 08, 2011, 03:33:26 pm »

Yes, I have found MDT to have the best prices looking around.

Disclaimer: MDT graciously sponsored a bit of hardware for setting up the LinuxMCE demo house I am living in.

EDIT: And it took me quite some time to find fairly priced KNX equipment. Even eBay was sometimes outrageously expensive. And with KNX it really helps to check out REG devices with multiple channels.

What is REG devices specifically?

17

Users / Re: Cheap knx push buttons?

« on: March 08, 2011, 02:29:24 pm »

MDT has 8-fold sensors http://www.eibhandel.de/MDT-BE-TA550801-Taster-8-fach for 80EUR (as a special it seems)
or the http://www.eibhandel.de/MDT-BE-0400101-Tasterinterface-4-fach for 60EUR

That's really a big difference to what I've found!

Are MDT always pretty cheap even if they aren't on special offers?

rgds,
Christian

18

Users / Cheap knx push buttons?

« on: March 08, 2011, 10:07:08 am »

Hi!

I've been through the eibmarkt site and the voltus site, but I think finding things on both of those is hard.
I'm looking for knx push buttons at a good price. I'm mostly looking for 8-fold (8-channel), but of course all types are interesting. The ones I've found with bus coupler included are at around 150 EURO and I thought there must be cheaper ones.

Or is the best way to realize it in a cheaper way to use non knx retractable push buttons with binary inputs?

Best price I've found for binary inputs are 15 EURO per channel - for an 8-fold switch that is 60 EURO and the button switch itself maybe costs 2-30 EURO at best.

Any other ideas?

I'm planning for a central touch panel, so this is only for the lights, curtains/blinds and so on..

Thanks!

Christian

19

Users / Re: Home automation system to use with LinuxMCE when building new house?

« on: March 03, 2011, 10:02:16 am »

I don't see where KNXLive is a replacement for ETS, i.e. for example, I don't see mentioning of application loading support. Each KNX device needs to receive the application program provided by the manufacturer. But I might be missing something.

I've sent them a mail asking

20

Users / Re: Home automation system to use with LinuxMCE when building new house?

« on: March 03, 2011, 08:48:27 am »

I've found a Linux application called KnxLive that's supposed to work as ETS does for Knx. Anyone tried it? Can it coexist at the side of LinuxMCE (on the same OS) or is it an own OS install?

https://www.auto.tuwien.ac.at/a-lab/knxlive.html

rgds,
Christian

21

Users / Re: Home automation system to use with LinuxMCE when building new house?

« on: March 03, 2011, 07:41:34 am »

Sensors (i.e. switches for example) have logic built in, that work without a computer attached. Also, for more complex stuff, there are dedicated logic devices available.

Should I use security within knx? I want PIR sensor that controls both lighting and burglar alarm.

I'm also thinking about a video camera. Are there any good in knx. I've searched around a little, but didn't find any at once, which brings me to my next question. Are there knx producs such as one are able to connect PIR sensor and cameras to the system? For example, can I buy a PIR that's not knx and attach to an analog or binary input?

regards,

Christian

22

Users / Re: Home automation system to use with LinuxMCE when building new house?

« on: February 28, 2011, 07:54:48 pm »

About KNX,

If I want to program scenes and situations (like, lights dimmed, motor to projector screen on, for example) that goes on and off by specific conditions, do I need it attached to a running computer all the time, or does it have built in logic?

That won't be a big problem because of the Core, but I just wanted to know..

And if I want timed and counter functions in the knx system, what do I need to realize that?

//Christian

23

Users / Re: Home automation system to use with LinuxMCE when building new house?

« on: February 28, 2011, 07:45:15 pm »

Hello Christian,

yes, you can control leds using the Bticino device F413 (0-10V Dimmer).

Regards
Johannes

Does that dim by communication or does it need 0-10v input?

24

Users / Re: Home automation system to use with LinuxMCE when building new house?

« on: February 25, 2011, 03:35:48 pm »

Christian,

re cheap and all. One thing that you, imho, should definitely do is wiring ALL lights into the switching cabinet. That way, you have a central place where all control happens.

re 1..10V: Searching on ebay.de for KNX 10v results in multiple hits, same for knx dali. KNX->DMX does not work direct, but need the intermediate dali step afaik.

Ok, I see..

Do you know if it's possible to control each of the 4 channels in this dmx controller individually?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DMX-512-Common-Controller-Dimmer-for-RGB-LED-Light-Lamp-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem19c3585ffdQQitemZ110651531261QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

25

Users / Re: Why use a NAS like i.e. Unraid instead of disks in the Core?

« on: February 25, 2011, 03:01:56 pm »

Hi Christian,

About 80+% of the systems we sell have NAS's as there main media storage device. About 30% also have at least one internal media drive. Our smallest Cores/NC's tend to ship with a single combined system + media drive to keep costs down and to amke sure the system has some media storage 'out of the box'. However a significant number of those small systems also quickly get upgraded with a NAS for there main storage (these systems would have no space internally for an additional drive however...so that distorts the decision somewhat!).

In the near future we expect to ship smaller systems with only a small system drive (probably flash based) and all media storage will be by default on an external device such as a NAS.

Just my 2cents worth...


All the best


Andrew

Thank you!

Does that mean that if I'm building a big NAS with lots and lots of storage capacity, there's no need for a Core with any storage capacity else than for the OS itself?

Or is there something great with having storage both on the Core and a NAS?

Many questions.. sorry..

//Christian

26

Users / Re: Home automation system to use with LinuxMCE when building new house?

« on: February 25, 2011, 11:03:15 am »

there are 1-10V knx output modules. Another option would be to use a DALI/KNX interface.

br Hari

I haven't been able to find any yet, do you have a suggestion of one?

or (KNX/)DMX

Ok, I haven't really dug into DMX (haven't even heard of it before, actually). Does it have the dimmer modules or the analog outputs that can be integrated into KNX? Is it a lighting network only?

In case this is of any interest...

We're testing some pre-production ZWave load controllers that will dim standard GU10 LED replacement bulbs... Should be available later this year. We have seen a ZWave controller pre-production unit that will dim fluorescent lights - it needs an N feed and supports both 0-10 and 1-10V control wires and will be rated around 6AX. Again should be available later this year.

All the best


Andrew

Sounds interestning, I was up for zwave, but everyone here seem to think it's a better choice to prepare the house for a wired bus system I'm searching for wired products matching led. But it's very nice to know there are coming more products modified for led lighting

What price will they land at?

BTW, does anyone think it's better to leave some parts of the automation to the wireless?
Motion detectors, fire-alarm's, thermostats for floor heating etc.

With knx I believe the standard accepted way is through a Dali/knx gateway, as mentioned by hari.  You can get gateways, on ebay to control 64 Dali devices (128 in total with 64 mirrored etc.) for between £100 and £200.

As an aside the much maligned Heathrow terminal 5 building (which is not much maligned for its lighting) uses KNX/Dali.  It's a very commonly used commercial solution.

Personally I felt that it was overkill for my house. I have fixed LED's (for example on the stair treads) which I switch with an ordinary output turning on or off the power supply.  I have ordinary light fittings (including lamps) with fixed bulbs, which are all with non-dimable eco-bulbs, that are switched with ordinary outputs.  I have ordinary halogen bulbs, again switched with ordinary outputs.  I create lighting scenes by turning on, and off, a different pattern of lighting, not by dimming.  It was a design decision we made.

To achieve this I have wired each power socket (and light fitting) individually back to my wiring cabinet where it is switchable by an output (on the live terminal).  I felt that I didn't want to deviate from a standard device for each light fitting - so I wanted to keep them all 240V switchable, not dimable.  I don't preclude the possibility that I may want to change this down the line.  If so I need to just replace my ordinary outputs with appropriate dimable outputs in my electrical cabinet.  The point? Well, I would say that initially your wiring scheme is more important than actually how you connect your devices.

If cost per output is an issue to you it seems likely that you might be somewhat limited on the scope of complex lighting that you end up using.

Intriguing to hear about your setup, thank you for sharing

I know that switching outputs will be both easier and cheaper in the initiation, but I hope it will pay off in long term and that I will enjoy the smooth light-up and light-down it will lead to and less energy costs too.

Cost is always an issue, but I need to know how cheap I can get away with what I exactly want and then weigh if it's worth the money
If I didn't enjoy the technology I wouldn't think of automating the house, because I really think it's more a cost than a saving. In 20 years when I hopefully will have had a great time of living with the family in my house I don't think the automation products will be worth anything anyway when selling. But that's just my way of looking at it

//Christian

27

Users / Re: Home automation system to use with LinuxMCE when building new house?

« on: February 24, 2011, 10:43:17 pm »

Thank you trentend!

That was nice info.
Analog outputs as cheap as 15-20 GBP each and inputs even cheaper? That's more like it! But I haven't yet found 1-10V analog outputs for the LED dimming or just LED dimmer modules. Without that a part of the dream vanishes, I'm afraid.

I'm frankly a little surprised there aren't more led dimming modules and 1-10V analog outputs on the home automation market by now. The way I see it LED is the future lighting and the scientific research to develop better and better products there goes very fast.

However I've been able to find Dimming inverter modules perfect for scenes of leds, like downlights in a living-room/kitchen area, that are controllable with 1-10V and are built with PWM-circuitry. In my earlier intended PLC-system I could control those with Analog outputs.

rgds,
Christian

28

Users / Re: Why use a NAS like i.e. Unraid instead of disks in the Core?

« on: February 24, 2011, 10:33:01 pm »

Thank you.

But what if I use a chassi that is rack-mounted with a detachable front where the drives are easily accessed? Is there still a good reason to have a big NAS server with all disks?

29

Users / Why use a NAS like i.e. Unraid instead of disks in the Core?

« on: February 24, 2011, 07:01:06 pm »

Hi All!

I had another thread that glided into this subject, and I'm curious about the answers.

Please enlighten me

Are there some good reasons to build a NAS instead of collecting all the storage on the Core - stronger performance, maybe?

I got the advice to run an Unraid server as NAS, I'm looking into it, but want to be sure first that it has some major advantages.

rgds,
Christian

30

Users / Re: Ripping music and video from CD and DVD for future LinuxMCE system

« on: February 24, 2011, 07:02:10 am »

I'm intrigued joshpond. I've looked around, and it seems like an affordable and quite future-safe alternative

However I'm also thinking about building my core in this :

http://www.codegenworld.com/showDetails.asp?max_id_search=20&min_id_search=&pro_id_search=203

It has 9 3.5" bays, which should be sufficient for some time for SERVER storage.

Isn't it possible to build the LinuxMCE core in that chassi, set up a webmin NAS in it (or is that necessary when using it as core?), and for now only buy a couple of SATA discs to rip to?

Would that be something? Or is it not as great?

rgds,
Christian