| Author |
|
Dean
Senior Member
Joined: August 21 2003
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 109
|
| Posted: October 28 2006 at 16:44 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Has anyone used a Smarthome TempLinc with PowerHome? It looks like PowerHome may already work with a TempLinc using triggers and macros, but I am not certain full support is available now. For example, the TempLinc manual talks about reading the preset dim value the TempLinc transmits, not sure if this is possible with PowerHome. The Smarthome page for the TempLinc is here.
Is there something else I could use for temperature sensing with PowerHome? Basically, I would like to check the temperature on my second floor and if it reaches a certain temperature, I would have PowerHome turn on some ceiling fans I have that are controlled by Insteon switches, then turn them off if/when the temperature goes below the set threshold.
Thanks,
-Dean
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
dhoward
Admin Group
Joined: June 29 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4447
|
| Posted: October 28 2006 at 21:35 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dean,
It looks like it would have no problems working. If you're looking to have just 1 temperature sensor, then it may be ok (even though expensive) to not fool with anything else. If you considering monitoring the temperature in multiple locations then I would consider a controller that's capable of analog inputs such as a Velleman K8000 or an Ocelot. The initial outlay for these devices are more expensive but will support multiple cheap temperature sensors. Also, in the not to distant future, PowerHome will be supporting 1-wire interfaces which will make for very cheap temperature sensing.
Dave.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dean
Senior Member
Joined: August 21 2003
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 109
|
| Posted: October 29 2006 at 08:38 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dave,
I was reading some of the old topics and did run across the 1-wire stuff that a user in Vermont/Africa was posting. It definitely sounded interesting and on the cheap/cheaper side, but since PowerHome didn't support it, I didn't look too closely at it.
As for the Ocelot or the K8000, I am assuming by what little I have read that I would have to run wires from the PowerHome computer/K8000/Ocelot to the location I want the temperature sensor, which is from the basement ot the 2nd floor. This is what made the TempLinc attractive, although I agree high priced. By the way, I have seen the K8000, K8000U and the K8000RS on different sites, what's the difference?
I guess I could go very simple and sacrifice some accuracy and use the weather script that somebody wrote to grab the temperature for my location and use that to trigger turning on ceiling fans.
Well, looks like you posted a new beta version, so I'll install that and then try the weather macro as a starting point.
Thanks,
-Dean
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
dhoward
Admin Group
Joined: June 29 2001
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4447
|
| Posted: November 03 2006 at 18:16 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dean,
I believe the differences in the K8000 are U.S. versions versus U.K. versions.
With a K8000 (remember it's a kit  ) and the Ocelot, you would have to run the wires. Another possibility may be the new Insteon 8 relay device from SimpleHomeNet. I believe it has 2 analog inputs which may allow temperature sensors. It's more expensive though and may be overkill. If wiring is a concern, then the TempLinc definately looks pretty good.
Dave.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
onhiatus
Senior Member
Joined: May 12 2004
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 279
|
| Posted: November 08 2006 at 13:37 | IP Logged
|
|
|
I do all my temperature monitoring using Peter Anderson's IOM#142 kit (http://phanderson.com/iom142/iom142.html). It's allows you to interface with a couple runs of one wire devices (up to a total of 32) through a serial / usb port. I only use temperature sensors, but it will also handle counters and humidity sensors.
As a bonus it also has 4 relays (up to 15A at 120v) that it can control, and 4 optoisolated inputs. All for < $60! As a plus I've found Dr Anderson very responsive to questions.
The board comes with no software, but I was able to easily write a VB app to poll the temperatures and pass them onto Powerhome via user message - I'm willing to share the app if anyone wants it.
-Tony (OnHiatus)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
RandyH
Newbie
Joined: January 26 2006
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10
|
| Posted: November 08 2006 at 18:44 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dean,
I have been using TempLinc along with PowerHome to monitor the temperature of my computer room for a couple of years now and it works very well. My TempLinc is configured to send preset dim levels on M14 and M15 anytime the TempLinc sees the temperature change. I have two triggers that watch for any incoming preset dim levels that come from M14 and M15. In turn the triggers call their respective macro which uses the ‘Set Global’ command to update a global variable with the actual temperature. Here are the two formulas for the two macros:
Macro M14 36 + (32 * (int([X10LEVELM14])/100))
Macro M15 68 + (32 * (int([X10LEVELM15])/100))
Once the global variable holds the current temperature you can then create other triggers and macros that activate anytime this variable changes.
I hope this helps,
Randy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dean
Senior Member
Joined: August 21 2003
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 109
|
| Posted: November 09 2006 at 23:02 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Tony,
Thanks for the info on the IOM#142 kit. This sounds very interesting considering it is cheaper than the TempLinc and offers more functionality. Problem for me is running wires from my basement where my computers/PowerHome are located and the 2nd floor.
I'm out of serial ports on my PowerHome PC. It appears to use USB you need to use a Serial-to-USB adapter, can you confirm that?
Also, and this may sound like a silly question, but what can I do with the relays and optoisolated inputs? I assume the relays let you do things based on a circuit being open or closed, but I never could really find a good application for this. As for the optoisolated inputs, I have never heard of them.
Thanks,
-Dean
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Dean
Senior Member
Joined: August 21 2003
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 109
|
| Posted: November 09 2006 at 23:20 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Randy,
Thanks for the info on the TempLinc, I appreciate it. It definitely helps me see how to use TempLinc with PowerHome. This does seem like the best solution for me at this time, even though I like the idea of the IOM#142 kit Tony mentions. Perhaps when I run my CAT6 cables I can run additional wires for the IOM#142 kit.
Thanks again,
-Dean
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
onhiatus
Senior Member
Joined: May 12 2004
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 279
|
| Posted: November 15 2006 at 17:44 | IP Logged
|
|
|
Dean, Sorry for the slow response. This work thing is highly over rated!
I do use a USB to serial adapter without much trouble. When I had two of these adapters I used to have a slight issue with the serial port id changing when the computer rebooted. Sometimes one would be Com12: and the other COM11:, sometimes they would swap. Since I've only had one hooked up this problem seems to have gone away.
It is a bit of a pain running the wiring. I actually just use some of the spare cat5 runs that I put in. In fact in a couple places I have the temp sensors crimpted straight into a male RJ-45 (cat5) connector.
To be honest I do not use (at least not yet) the relays or inputs. The relays could be used to switch power to pretty much anything - they're beefy enough to handle pretty decent current even and line voltages.
The optoisolated inputs just means (I think) that the inputs are isolated from the rest of the circuitry - so you don't have to worry about stray high voltage, etc. I think the most common use for these would be to sense a dry contact switch.
I had grand ideas of using these and the relays (or a couple inline x10 modules) to "automate" a standard old fashioned flip switch. The idea would be to wire a dual pole switch with the relay in a two way switch type circuit - the local wall switch could always be used to togle the light, the input could be used to notify powerhome of the new state, and the relay could always be used to toggle the circuit - so you'd have manual and automated control using an old fashioned switch. However, I've never been quite motivated enough to do such extensive rewireing...
Hope this helps, Tony
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login
PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome General
Topic: Smarthome TempLinc
