Computer control of outlets
- Thread starter bromion
- Start date
djultra
Premium Member
djultra
Premium Member
The basic model is the firecracker ($50), which with the added timer mod will run pretty much any outlet or switch they sell, but the computer always has to be on. I am currently running the home automation unit ($100) and I went to Lowes and bought two construction outlet boxes and made my own power strips. With this unit you can upload the commands into the unit and you don't need to keep the computer on and it has a battery backup.
It also comes with a nice remote to control them when needed.
It also comes with a nice remote to control them when needed.
louist
New member
You can just make your own from kits from Jaycar. The circuits uses flip-flops, so once programmed through your computer, it no longer need to be connected ot your computer, unless the next time you wish to reprogramm it.
X10 has really fallen out of favor these days. It's too prone to interference and too tempermantal. I was discussing X10 with a mechtronics engineer friend of mine and he just laughed and say "why bother?". Sure many are using it since some manufactuerer has packaged it in a convenient plug-n-play package and the components are relatively inexpensive.
Since you are a PhD student, you should be a fairly clever one. Are you familiar with eletronics? If so, just build your own with relays, and run it with a microprocessor like an ARM and use SOC, run Apache etc, and you have more features than you can dream of.
X10 has really fallen out of favor these days. It's too prone to interference and too tempermantal. I was discussing X10 with a mechtronics engineer friend of mine and he just laughed and say "why bother?". Sure many are using it since some manufactuerer has packaged it in a convenient plug-n-play package and the components are relatively inexpensive.
Since you are a PhD student, you should be a fairly clever one. Are you familiar with eletronics? If so, just build your own with relays, and run it with a microprocessor like an ARM and use SOC, run Apache etc, and you have more features than you can dream of.
bromion
Active member
I could build my own devices, but before I spend all that time and money I want to see how useful these things are. If I can run the X10 modules and my monitoring probes off an old laptop (which I have) I can whip something up in hours rather than days, with no risk of damage or troubleshooting annoyances. Later I'll do something fancier if I think it will be worthwhile.
CoolUsername
New member
I am considering putting together a stand alone Aquarium controller myself. I am an embedded software engineer so this stuff comes a little more naturally. I was looking at the following electronic kit for switching stuff on or off.
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/elec/ck1610.htm
I don't know how much tinkering your willing to do. But this has more potential for customizing. Your processes. The real trick would be to get the PC to react to sensor data.
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/elec/ck1610.htm
I don't know how much tinkering your willing to do. But this has more potential for customizing. Your processes. The real trick would be to get the PC to react to sensor data.
tgunn
Active member
Take a look at the Insteon products at www.smarthome.com. They are more pricey than the X10 stuff, but from what I've heard they are a whole lot ore reliable than X10.
Plus their website doesn't look like it was put together by a 2 year old.
Tyler
Plus their website doesn't look like it was put together by a 2 year old.
Tyler
perpetual98
New member
x10 is junk. I've tried many times to set it up and it was always flaky. Besides, it isn't a true "on/off" anyway because x10 modules switch off the neutral side and not the hot side. Needless to say, any type of fluorescent or power compact bulb (maybe some halide) won't like the fact that they're not completely off. I noticed that my PC bulbs at the time were always barely on when I thought that they were off.
perpetual98
New member
From memory, I think I was using the applance/heavy duty plugs. I cracked one open once to see if I could rework it to switch the hot line, but it was too much work for me to try to accomplish. I was having too many reliability issues with them to dive into rewiring them.
Some people love x10 though, I just wouldn't trust it for anything regarding my tanks.
Some people love x10 though, I just wouldn't trust it for anything regarding my tanks.
perpetual98
New member
I use crapola Intermatic dial timers now. I tried forever to escape using them because they're so low-tech, but the simple fact is, they work. I'm researching controllers though, so at some point I'll upgrade to something shiner. 
djultra
Premium Member
I too started with the timers, they are expensive and you will run out of room because they are very bulky. Then you will run extension cable to accommodate the timers and that will become a fire hazard. Your best bet and cheapest route is to use a x10 style controller whether its x10 or smarthome they both look comparable in both plug and play and price compared to other routes.
Good luck
Good luck
perpetual98
New member
It's possible that they've fixed the problem. My x10 garbage is about 2 or 3 years old. I noticed that if the room was dark, the PC's were still barely on. If they've fixed it, that's good.
You can in theory do some wicked cool stuff with x10, but I had such bad luck with it that I wouldn't even count on it to turn a desk light on or off let alone thousands of dollars worth of aquarium equipment.
If you want reliability and functionality, get a controller.
You can in theory do some wicked cool stuff with x10, but I had such bad luck with it that I wouldn't even count on it to turn a desk light on or off let alone thousands of dollars worth of aquarium equipment.
If you want reliability and functionality, get a controller.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
x10 is a 30 year old solution/protocol. It is very limited and much of the "hardware" is overpiced imported junk. You cna build some decent stuff with it and the correct software and imagintion, but it's limitations are always present.
Go with a more modern solution if you are really interested in automation. If you just want to flip a few things on and off for giggles, then x10 is fine.
Go with a more modern solution if you are really interested in automation. If you just want to flip a few things on and off for giggles, then x10 is fine.
bromion
Active member
Thanks for the advice so far. What I'm interested in right now is simple temperature control measures. I have a temperature probe that connects to my computer and software to monitor it. Based on the temp, I'd like to turn on/off fans and lights. I also want this to be extensible, so if I want to add more probes and controls, I can do so later.
