Home Automation, Iphone/ipad Controlled Dimmers/switches

[limkopi78 0]

Hi guys,

New to the forum here. I've been reading up on DIY or small scale home automation basically to remote control lights and home theatre. Anyone did that recently?

No doubt there's another thread, but its more on x10, wired protocol. I'm more keen to look at wireless RF controls such as z wave, insteon, lutron wireless etc.. but seems like those I can find online are mostly for US voltage. Anyone has found any other brand in singapore?

Or has anyone used any home automation specialist in SG?

Edited November 29, 2011 by limkopi78

[ah_beng 0]

I did some research on Remote controlled Lights, Curtains and AV equipment when i bought my apartment. I was very inspired to do home automation.

In Singapore, this is not very popular and if you engage a professional company to do it for you, it can cost more than $10K depending on the number of switches and the complexity. Else where in USA, Australia and New Zealand, home automation is very popular and they would build in motion detectors, temperature sensors and light sensors to control curtains, air con, lighting as well as AV equipment and all these are integrated to their home surveillance and security systems.

Remote control switches are preferably programmable RF switches as they do not require line of sight. But these switches are expensive (per gang, some brands can cost up to $150). The less expensive ones are remote controlled by infrared IR but need line of sight for the control to work. (PS:-You might want to consider Philips as they also have remote controlled switches.)

For me, i gave up the idea of remote light switches and use 2 way switches instead - improvements in conveniences but lower cost. For AV, Fans and Air Conditioning, I have a redeye system from US which uses iphone as the remote control interface. A professional programmable remote control can cost up to US$1500. For the redeye system, it is much cheaper. Basically it is an IR blaster which you can program a sequence of IR remote control commands for any devices at home which can be controlled using IR.

Hope this helps and have fun...

[Tokyofanboi 0]

I did some research on Remote controlled Lights, Curtains and AV equipment when i bought my apartment. I was very inspired to do home automation.

In Singapore, this is not very popular and if you engage a professional company to do it for you, it can cost more than $10K depending on the number of switches and the complexity. Else where in USA, Australia and New Zealand, home automation is very popular and they would build in motion detectors, temperature sensors and light sensors to control curtains, air con, lighting as well as AV equipment and all these are integrated to their home surveillance and security systems.

Remote control switches are preferably programmable RF switches as they do not require line of sight. But these switches are expensive (per gang, some brands can cost up to $150). The less expensive ones are remote controlled by infrared IR but need line of sight for the control to work. (PS:-You might want to consider Philips as they also have remote controlled switches.)

For me, i gave up the idea of remote light switches and use 2 way switches instead - improvements in conveniences but lower cost. For AV, Fans and Air Conditioning, I have a redeye system from US which uses iphone as the remote control interface. A professional programmable remote control can cost up to US$1500. For the redeye system, it is much cheaper. Basically it is an IR blaster which you can program a sequence of IR remote control commands for any devices at home which can be controlled using IR.

Hope this helps and have fun...

Hi Ah Beng,

I also wanted to do up the home automation, mainly is for all lightings, aircons, AV, smart TV, gaming console and etc. May i check with you that for the Red Eye, if i buy the entry set, what else do i need? from what i understand is that i need to change all my switch to either 1 gang or 2 gangs or dimmer and etc. where i can get them, any lobang and what's your cost for setting up. Any reference. thank you so much

[Antares 0]

If you are looking to adopt Z-Wave, there are less hardwares available as compared to using the old old X10s. And it doesnt help that you still need to take note of the frequency it operates on as different countries allows different frequency.

Single load Light switches ,motion sensors are easy to get. The rest you will need to spend more effort to find and they cost a bomb... Eg a 2gang 2 load zwave light switch frm MK Astral line cost abt $300+ as opposed to a single gang single load zwave switch that cost ard $60 frm china.

You think after so many years that there will be more zwave equip available for the 868.42mhz but ... You probably has to go hybrid working with say zwave n x10s and wateva else to get the stuff u wan automated without paying a bomb.

So i will probably get some x10 devices as well as there alot easier to find. At least thats what i have gathered so far n some info may be inaccurate due to my poor interpretation.

My cheap cheap 2 cents

[limkopi78 0]

Hi guys,

I've purchased a zwave controller with a few zwave plugin switches and zwave wall switches from Germany. These things are cheap in Europe! Remote wall switches are around 40 Euro each and from reputable brands.

Did a POC with the plugin switches, and managed to controls and even dim table lamp with my iPhone! Cant wait for the electrician to install the wall dimmers and switches into my new place. Will keep you guys posted.

[Antares 0]

U got the duwi switches? Which site did u go to purchase em?

[Resol2000 0]

Hi guys,

I've purchased a zwave controller with a few zwave plugin switches and zwave wall switches from Germany. These things are cheap in Europe! Remote wall switches are around 40 Euro each and from reputable brands.

Did a POC with the plugin switches, and managed to controls and even dim table lamp with my iPhone! Cant wait for the electrician to install the wall dimmers and switches into my new place. Will keep you guys posted.

can share where did you buy the zwave plugin switch and controllers? Looking to start a project of my own as well.

[limkopi78 0]

I bought at this store. http://www.home4u-store.com/

I actually went Germany for my honeymoon, so I got my German bro-in-law to call this shop up and drove over to pickup the stuff (save on the shipping). I bought the following:

1 x vera2 controller

2 x duwi zwave wall dimmers

4 x duwi zwave wall switches

1 x duwi zwave plugin switch

1 x duwi zwave plugin dimmer

And yes I lugged them home to SG. I'll expand my devices when he goes back there again. I'm still waiting for my IR blaster that works with the controller to complete my infrastructure!

[zharles 0]

Hi guys,

We do have the newest wireless and batteryless switches for lightings and motorised blinds. We also have plugin modules for standalone lights too. PLease check out our website www.yongfu.com.sg for more info. In addition, we will soon be importing infra red gateway for learning exisitng appliances which have infra red and you will be able to control aircon, and any devices too via TCP/IP. We will be introducing them in the second quarter of 2012.

regards,

Zharles

[Resol2000 0]

Hi guys,

We do have the newest wireless and batteryless switches for lightings and motorised blinds. We also have plugin modules for standalone lights too. PLease check out our website www.yongfu.com.sg for more info. In addition, we will soon be importing infra red gateway for learning exisitng appliances which have infra red and you will be able to control aircon, and any devices too via TCP/IP. We will be introducing them in the second quarter of 2012.

regards,

Zharles

Hi Zharles, Great to hear that you are bringing in. How do we interface to a house with existing wirings and switches?

[zharles 0]

Hi Zharles, Great to hear that you are bringing in. How do we interface to a house with existing wirings and switches?

It will be good if you have false ceiling for your home. The actuators come in single, 2 or 4 outputs. The incoming live wire in your ceiling will go into the actuator and there will be output connection to wire to your lights. That is all. Then you need to get our switches to be enrolled to the actuator. Our enocean switches come in single or dual gang. They can be placed or sticked to anywhere in your room. No more wiring required.

[zharles 0]

Hi Guys,

Do you hear about LightwaveRF? Below are the links.

http://www.lightwaverf.com/homepage.php

it is another home automation products without any rewire of the existing cables

Hi!

But you need to have LIVE and NEUTRAL wires in your existing switch. Usually we only have LIVE wires coming to your conventional switch and a LIVE wire going to the Lights. This means that you need to pull more wires into your existing fixture.

Secondly, your remote switches need batteries to operate.

[alvy 0]

Hi!

But you need to have LIVE and NEUTRAL wires in your existing switch. Usually we only have LIVE wires coming to your conventional switch and a LIVE wire going to the Lights. This means that you need to pull more wires into your existing fixture.

Secondly, your remote switches need batteries to operate.

Hi,

recently got a new place, a cluster house with 1 basement and 3 storey upper levels. i wanted to do home automation ever since i got to know at x10 and clipsal's cbus years ago. well x10's kinda ugly in terms of aesthetics of the switches and module, cbus requires some for a data cable daisy chaining plus some major cabling rework. finally settled for zwave. but it was also not a cheap decision as i basically got the electrician to wire neutral to all light/fan switches. the new place (new as in no previous tenancy) is still uner renovation at this point of time but i've already shipped in some sample zwave switches from uk. these runs in singapore approved frequency: www.vitrum.com. these are real beautiful artwork and freaking expensive too. i managed to preorder enough switches and dimmers to cover all areas except the wet kitchen and 2 rooms before they decide to raise the price across the full range of switches. all swtches requires the neutral line. the dimmers will not require the neutral line if ur dimmable lights are above 40w, so leds are out if you are not wiring the neutral.

any one using z wave with pc based controller? and what software are you using?

[Ritesh 0]

Hi,

There are various technologies present today which can help in Home Automation.

Some of them are:

1. PLC

2. X10

3. Zigbee

4.Z-Wave

5.KNX

I can help you in designing your dream home.Contact me for any discussion regarding the existing technology..

[Rita Mao 0]

Hi Sir,

We bring to you the world's first wireless sensors and switches which require no wiring, no batteries and no maintenance.With our home automation devices, you can  make phone control for all your home surveillance and security system. If you have interest to know more, let me know.

Rtia from CHINA

Whatsapp/Mb/Wechat/: +86 18320717664
 www.didiok,org