Automating Holiday House/Batch

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Automating Holiday House/Batch

pchs

144 posts

Master Geek

# 172063 10-May-2015 17:07

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice around setting up Home Automation (well more just on/off) for a batch, I'm keen for some recommendations on how I can achieve the following. Note I'm not after a DIY type solution, I am keen on a proven solution and happy to pay a premium for this.

I need to be able to turn on/off some power outlets and also some contactors on the switch board (for underfloor heating), so would like something that has the capability of turning on/off contactors from a webpage or preferably a phone app. Also for some appliances around the house, like towel rails, it would be good if there was some sort of Wifi/IP relay controller that you could mount behind the flush boxes to remotely turn on and off individual plugs and permanently wired connections.

I did look at the ICT Alarm panel, which can achieve this but it does not have a nice end user interface/phone app and is not really designed for this sort of thing (its more an access control alarm). however it would be great to have a solution integrated into the home alarm - I'd also look at using it for a front door lock so you can unlock remotely for visitors/delivery’s etc.

Any advice will be gratefully received!

SumnerBoy

1702 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

# 1301551 10-May-2015 18:27

Full disclosure - I run the Smart Things NZ online web store as you probably gathered from my signature!

The Fibaro Home Center 2 (HC2) sounds like a perfect fit for your requirements. You can install 1x3kW or 2x1.5kW relays in your flush boxes for controlling lights, towel rails, and any other appliance. You can also easily hook them up to contactors for switching larger loads, as you mentioned. They are wireless and powered by mains so no batteries to change etc. They are also wired up to your existing switches so they still operate the circuit as per normal, and this means any manual switching is reported back to the system. So in short they are totally invisible to the user, everything still operates as before, and you have the ability to control everything via your phone or by rules/scenes you configure yourself.

The HC2 also allows you to integrate with certain alarm systems. This means you can monitor the state of the alarm on your phone, and remotely arm/disarm. Assuming your garage door is hooked up to your alarm system you can open/close/monitor that as well as any PIRs/door/window sensors. And the HC2 supports Z-Wave door locks if you decide to install one of those.

There are also other sensors you can add to the system at any time. The Flood Sensor is probably worth a look for something like a bach - good to know there haven't been any burst pipes while you are away!

Fibaro has native apps for both Android and iOS, for both phones and tablets. And a web portal for remote access as well. There are no ongoing service/monthly fees. The only requirement is you would need a broadband connection.

Any questions drop me an email or ask away on here!

pchs

144 posts

Master Geek

# 1301587 10-May-2015 19:59

Hi Summerboy,

Thanks very much for that, I can’t see a Fibaro Home Center 2 (HC2) on your site though? Only the lite version?

So just to confirm, I have 5 different underfloor heating zones which are all controlled off individual contactors on the board, plus I would like to hook 2 electric cylinders on it too – are there enough imput’s on the Fibaro to hook all these up? so can you have like 7 relays in your board? (Happy to put contactors on the Hot Water to take it down to a more managable load for the Fiabro)

And for the contactors for the towel rails etc, are these designed to just be placed behind the sockets, I.E concealed in the flush box? I might also use the controller as a timer too (Was going to put timers on the towel rails)

The alarm is quite old and propriety so I’ll be replacing this too, any recommendations?

Thanks for your help!

Jase2985

8914 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

# 1301607 10-May-2015 20:31

they aren't inputs per say, they are wireless and create a mesh network between them for communication. Im not sure if there is a limit, but its defiantly a lot more than what you want to do.

quick video on how the technology works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Nmj9KtM34&hd=1

cisconz

cisconz
1221 posts

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Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

# 1301618 10-May-2015 21:06

Paradox have a good Mobile App.

Hmmmm

SumnerBoy

1702 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

# 1301635 10-May-2015 22:06

pchs: Hi Summerboy,

Thanks very much for that, I can’t see a Fibaro Home Center 2 (HC2) on your site though? Only the lite version?

So just to confirm, I have 5 different underfloor heating zones which are all controlled off individual contactors on the board, plus I would like to hook 2 electric cylinders on it too – are there enough imput’s on the Fibaro to hook all these up? so can you have like 7 relays in your board? (Happy to put contactors on the Hot Water to take it down to a more managable load for the Fiabro)

And for the contactors for the towel rails etc, are these designed to just be placed behind the sockets, I.E concealed in the flush box? I might also use the controller as a timer too (Was going to put timers on the towel rails)

The alarm is quite old and propriety so I’ll be replacing this too, any recommendations?

Thanks for your help!

Yeah sorry - the HC2 is not listed but is available - flick me an email and I can let you know the details. The HC Lite would handle most of what you want, but if you need to integrate an alarm system you would need the HC2. As mentioned by Jase, there is practically no limit to the number of devices the system can support - in the fact the more the better, since (again as Jase mentioned) as you add more the Z-Wave protocol forms a mesh network improving the range and stability of the system.

If you are using contactors then you can get away with using the 2x1.5kWh relays, which have two independent relays in the one module - making them pretty cost effective.

And yes, the relays are designed to live behind the sockets/switches, inside the flush boxes. I have one flush box in my home with 3 dimmer modules crammed in there - it is pretty tight but they fit! And I actually have my towel rails controlled by these relay modules, exactly as you are planning. My automation system controls when the rails come on, automatically disabling if we are away from home, or depending on season etc. As with all things home automation related, the first step is *connecting* devices/things and then you can start writing the rules to control how they interact with one another - i.e. the real fun!

In terms of alarm systems, you would be best to speak to a security professional, but the Satel INTEGRA alarms have full integration with Fibaro. You would need a Fibaro technician to come out and program up the alarm/HC2 to talk to one another, but that is something I can help organise. Whereabouts in NZ is the bach BTW?