New to LMCE, Would like some direction

[oldskoolsandhu]

Hey there

I have taken a look at the wiki and over a few forums but would like to know if anyone has a blog I can follow to do a simple home automation lighting control setup with Linux MCE and the z-wave modules.

I have installed MCE within a Virutal machine and seems to work ok.

BUT

I was following the wiki and some of it for me doesnt make sense (sorry im not that technical)

I need some direction with
Installation checks with MCE
Hardware to buy for controlling lights in the house
Best way to connect to the mce server  -> there is a section about connecting via USB?

Ive clicked around the wiki and the pages I was looking at for zwave has no info

This is my first post, so apologize if this has been asked, but I cant seem to find any direct answers.

Any experts with a good starting point please send my way!

Oh also Im in the UK for 240v units would be required.

[Marie.O]

If I were in the UK, and wouldn't want any hassle, I would go with Dianemo. They also have a software only package.

If I were in the UK, I would only go with Z-Wave, if I do not have an option to go with KNX. Otherwise I would choose KNX.

Having said those things,  I am sure others will be able to provide more indepth Z-Wave knowledge.

[purps]

I'm in the UK. I really like Z-wave, I've now got 4 separate lights, various plug-in appliance controls (valve amp, mood lighting, etc), a smoke alarm (WIP), a PIR motion detector (WIP) and am planning on buying TRV valves and thermostat when I get round to ripping out my poo 70s central heating system (next summer).

I have bought all of my stuff from a chap called Ivor here http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/ he has been extremely helpful to me from the word go. I actually met him a few weeks ago, and he's a very accommodating and approachable guy. He can offer great advice on installation, general operation etc. He can also sometimes get hold of things not on the website if you want something specific.

This is the USB controller that you want http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Seluxit_viaSENS_Home_Controller

You could go for a cheaper dongle, and it might be alright for a few lights, but if you are planning on making Z-wave your protocol of choice and want to expand in the future, spend the money on the Seluxit.

Cheers,
Matt.

[purps]

Also be careful of 2-wire and 3-wire switches!! Always check what you have before you buy, because I actually found a mixture in my house. Generally speaking you can only get dimmers in 2-wire form, and "normal" on/off switches in 3-wire form.

I think 2-wire is a lot more common in Europe generally, but 3-wire tends to be more common in the UK for new builds (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). So best to just check.

Cheers,
Matt.

[totallymaxed]

Hey there

I have taken a look at the wiki and over a few forums but would like to know if anyone has a blog I can follow to do a simple home automation lighting control setup with Linux MCE and the z-wave modules.

I have installed MCE within a Virutal machine and seems to work ok.

BUT

I was following the wiki and some of it for me doesnt make sense (sorry im not that technical)

I need some direction with
Installation checks with MCE
Hardware to buy for controlling lights in the house
Best way to connect to the mce server  -> there is a section about connecting via USB?

Ive clicked around the wiki and the pages I was looking at for zwave has no info

This is my first post, so apologize if this has been asked, but I cant seem to find any direct answers.

Any experts with a good starting point please send my way!

Oh also Im in the UK for 240v units would be required.

As Posde says we have a software only product that you can install on your own hardware and we're based in the UK. We support Zwave, Mode, Rako lighting too. See the footer of this post to get a link to our thread in the 'Marketplace' section of the forum.

All the best

Andy

PS And I should have said we support KNX too ;-)

[peterscott]

If I were in the UK, and wouldn't want any hassle, I would go with Dianemo. They also have a software only package.

If I were in the UK, I would only go with Z-Wave, if I do not have an option to go with KNX. Otherwise I would choose KNX.

Having said those things,  I am sure others will be able to provide more indepth Z-Wave knowledge.

Looks like there is an option for KNX in the UK: http://myknxstore.co.uk/ ...but without setting up an account I can't see the prices.

Anyone able to advise if KNX is better value than ZWave, or easier to control, offers more features as a protocol, or perhaps there are more device options, compared to ZWave? My impression when looking at ZWave products was that they were expensive, especially from a the view of savings in energy bills from investment in them.

[Marie.O]

There are more KNX device types than Z-Wave device types. Single Z-Wave devices are less expensive than single KNX devices. KNX devices exist in multi-port configuration and become cheaper that way.