Where to start with Merten?

[ivanp]

First to say hi and great work with LMCE. I have been using it for quite some time now, and covered all the features of media, btw which are impressive .
If You are interested You can see my progress here: http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/User:Ivanp1982

Since i am with 3 of my firends in LMCE project we found an empty flat in which we will try to install it. My question is where to start with Merten. Flat is pretty small, and we would like to start with lighting control. All the lightning is currently installed and is 4 ceiling lamps, and a couple of table lamps. So i am open for any of Your comments and suggestiong which stuff to buy and install it.

Thank You in advance for any of Your anwsers. Will keep track of anything we do so i can later post it in wiki.

P. S. Sorry for my bad english, it aint my primary language.
 
P. P. S. I live in Croatia, Europe, 230V/50Hz electricity

[hari]

there are plenty of threads about merten gear. Do some research and come back with more specific questions.

best regards,
hari

[trentend]

When you say Merten, I don't know if you mean their KNX stuff? If you do, and you need help programming it, feel free to let me know.  I have access to the ETS software for programming KNX devices, a Croatian wife, and get over to Split and Zagreb pretty regularly.

[hari]

Merten also has a very nice Z-Wave products (CONNECT Series).

[ivanp]

Merten also has a very nice Z-Wave products (CONNECT Series).

Thaks Hari for anwser. Will explore Merten a bit more.

I have seen something like this: http://www.zwave4u.com/products/en/Bundles/ACT-Homepro-Starterkit-2.html

Regardless two of them are french switches, would that be good starting point for me?I am doing a test system in a small room so 1 dimmer and two switches would be enough for me. Would do You thinka bout that Hari?

Thanks in advance for Your anwser.

[hari]

the only thing i can recommend from ACT is the PIR. The remote (ZTH200) would be nice, too, but its firmware is very old (no SIS mode).

The switches feel very cheap (even my SO said get rid of those). The lamp and dimmer plugs have high failure rates and sometimes the z-wave connection drops out..

For Europe, I'd recommend to get a Seluxit Dongle and Merten Switches/Dimmers. The tricklestar remote would work in SIS mode, but it is a bit limited (only 2 buttons, no display). The Nuewi/Popp products also look nice, but I have not tested them yet and I think they have some financial problems.

br, Hari

[ivanp]

For Europe, I'd recommend to get a Seluxit Dongle and Merten Switches/Dimmers.

Thanks Hari. Just placed order on Zwawe 4U for Seluxit dongle. 1 Merten CONNECT Plug in Switch nad 1 Merten CONNECT Plug in Dimmable. Hope to get in 10 days so i cant start testing it. Will update with any succes/troubles. Thanks again Hari for sugesstions.

[hari]

for the merten, make sure you got the z-wave paddles and the inserts. You also want frames, they come in hundred of variants. So each dimmer or toggle switch consists of three parts.

best regards,
Hari

[ivanp]

for the merten, make sure you got the z-wave paddles and the inserts. You also want frames, they come in hundred of variants. So each dimmer or toggle switch consists of three parts.

Thakns again Hari. But i ordered this: http://www.zwave4u.com/products/en/Lighting-and-Power/PlugIn-Adapters/Merten-CONNECT-Plug-in-Switch.html

Dont i just stick this in my current power switch and then lamp into Meretn switch? I understand that for wall mounting i need those 3 parts but i dont want to break down my walls for now, thats coming in a lter stage:D

[hari]

ah, missed the fact that you got plugs.

The in-wall only need L and L', so no wall break-down needed :-)

best regards,
Hari

[ivanp]

ah, missed the fact that you got plugs.

The in-wall only need L and L', so no wall break-down needed :-)

Hehe,figuered that much Hari.Thanks again for effort You are putting in forum reply and LMCE.
One more question though,after I receive my order,what to expect?just plug in Seluxit and LMCE will auto detect it?then i will manually add my two switch plugs as child devices?will they also be auto detected?
Sorry if I am bothering You,bit I like to be prepared and organized when i receive my shipment.Thanks in advance Hari.

[hari]

ah, zwave newbie :-)

You did get a remote controller, right? Otherwise we'd have to do some dirty tricks :-)

br, hari

[ivanp]

ah, zwave newbie :-)
You did get a remote controller, right? Otherwise we'd have to do some dirty tricks :-)

Definetly zwawe newbie here Hari:). But willing to learn and test as much as possible!

Hmm, u mentioned Tricklestar Remote Control, which is affordable for me. Would i be able to wokr it with my other stuff, Seluxit  dongle and Merten switches? Or do YOu have any other suggestion?

[hari]

the tricklestar would be perfect, then you can use the shiny new SIS mode when 0810 is released.

[ivanp]

the tricklestar would be perfect, then you can use the shiny new SIS mode when 0810 is released.

GReat, looking forward to its final release. I will try to make it work in my 0710 RC2.