| Author |
|
litemeup
Newbie
Joined: August 18 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: August 18 2008 at 17:02 | IP Logged
|
|
|
What do I need to get started using Insteon technolgy to run a newly installed Landscape lighting system? I have a 900 Watt Kichler transformer (300W X 3) that is spec'd as X10 compatible.
I'd like to have 2 zones of lights:
1. Uplights on my house that account for about 275 watts of lights and will stay on dusk-to-dawn
2. Path and accent lights that I'd like to come on at dusk, stay on until around 11:30 PM. If, after they go offat 11:30, should someone trigger one of three motion sensors I am placing around my house, I'd like the Path and Accent lights to come back on and stay on for 15 minutes.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
LiteMeUp 
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jeffw_00
Super User
Joined: June 30 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 929
|
| Posted: August 18 2008 at 17:12 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Well, though we can help you here, - you should also check out "insteon central"
http://www.techmall.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9
The INSTEON motion sensor will be available at the end of August. You can also get (from Smarthome) all manner of plug-in, or in-wall modules that can receive signals and turn things on and off. Then you decide how to do central control.
Either PC-based (using a very powerful program like Powerhome, or something simpler like InHomeFre), or google the ISY-99 which is a fixed-function controller.
anyway - welcome to INSTEON - I'm sure you'll like it here
/j
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TonyNo
Moderator Group
Joined: December 05 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2889
|
| Posted: August 18 2008 at 20:05 | IP Logged
|
|
|
LiteMeUp, welcome! Many questions!
Do you want to dim some or all lights?
Do you want/need to use the transformer you have?
There are many ways to do what you have described, but we need more info.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
litemeup
Newbie
Joined: August 18 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: August 18 2008 at 21:46 | IP Logged
|
|
|
TonyNo, I appreciate the greeting and reply.
So where are you located? I am in the St. Louis, MO area.
To answer your questions....I do not want to dim the lights and I'd like to use the 900 watt (300x3) transformer I've spec'd if possible. If it is not possible, I am open to any other options you can provide.
I knew there had to be a variety of ways to accomplish this, but being new to home automation I figured it best to ask those with more experience (and the wisdom of having done things a variety of ways, learning along the way).
I appreciate any and all options you may have.
Thanks and hav a great evening.
__________________
Thanks,
LiteMeUp
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TonyNo
Moderator Group
Joined: December 05 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2889
|
| Posted: August 18 2008 at 22:48 | IP Logged
|
|
|
I ask about the transformer because Insteon lighting is easily controlled via plug-in modules. One transformer with three outputs would have all controlled at once.
Do you want to do more later, or, would this be all you wanted?
As Jeff said, you could use Insteon motion sensors, when they come out, to keep things simple.
You can then add an Insteon-controlled relay device (like this) to switch outputs from the transformer you have. These, plus the ISY, would be all you would need if this is all you want to do. You may also be able to get this combo which may eliminate the ISY.
Of course, you can likely wire up motion and light sensors without using any Insteon devices.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
litemeup
Newbie
Joined: August 18 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: August 19 2008 at 23:15 | IP Logged
|
|
|
TonyNo/Jeff,
Thanks so much for the information and recommendations. I looked at the EZIO8SA and it looks like just the right thing to get me started. Given the EZIO8SA handles both various inputs and manages multiple outputs I should be able to connect the new insteon motion sensor (http://www.smarthome.com/2420m.html) to one of the opto-isolated inputs to allow control of the various output circuits. Is there any other equipment I need to run this setup (Access points or the like) or will these components be able to handle the landscape lighting by itself?
__________________
Thanks,
LiteMeUp
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TonyNo
Moderator Group
Joined: December 05 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2889
|
| Posted: August 19 2008 at 23:35 | IP Logged
|
|
|
The combo includes the PLM, which you need.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
litemeup
Newbie
Joined: August 18 2008
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: September 16 2008 at 14:43 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Folks,
I have all of my lights installed and the transformer up and working (all 3 circuits are wired and working as desired), but I cannot figure out how to get the photocell to integrate with the motion sensor, timer, and EZIO8SA. I want the lights to come on at dusk (easy enough), 2 circuits to go off at 11:00PM (currently all go off based on one timer), the third circuit to go off at 1:00AM (not working). After 11:00PM, if motion is detected (I am using two motion detectors, one for each side of my house), I want to other two circuits to kick back on for 10 minutes and then go off, leaving the 3rd circuit on. After 1:00AM, if motion is detected I want all of the lights (all three circuits) to come on and stay on for 10 minutes and then all go off.
My question is, how can I make it so the photocell controls the power on at dusk, the timer controls the power off at 11:00, and after 11:00 then a combination of timer and motion detectors control the on/off of the various circuits?
I am sure this is a complicated scenario for a first time user, but once I got to designing my lighting system, the ideas just kept flowing.
Any specifics of how to program/utilize the various components along with the EZIO8SA's various inputs and outputs would be much appreciated.
__________________
Thanks,
LiteMeUp
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login
PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome General
Topic: How do I get started w/ Insteon tech?
