http://www.avforums.com/forums/ Discussing home automation, home security and home cinema lighting at the AV Forums. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:58:57 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.avforums.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.avforums.com/forums/ http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1129961-wireless-thermostat-greenstar-30cdi-combi-boiler.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:18:21 GMT HI, Can anybody please suggest me the suitable wireless model for Worcester greenstar 30 cdi combi boiler? Thanks in anticipation regards Hema HI,
Can anybody please suggest me the suitable wireless model for Worcester greenstar 30 cdi combi boiler?
Thanks in anticipation
regards
Hema ]]> Hema1122 http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1129961-wireless-thermostat-greenstar-30cdi-combi-boiler.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1129539-security-camera.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:05:28 GMT Hi I had a security camera fitted at the front, we moved house and have tried to connect it but not sure which wire goes to which, does anybody know? It is a wired coloured night camera. I have a power supply which has 2 wires coming from it. One is black and one is red. The wires coming ... Hi I had a security camera fitted at the front, we moved house and have tried to connect it but not sure which wire goes to which, does anybody know? It is a wired coloured night camera.

I have a power supply which has 2 wires coming from it. One is black and one is red.

The wires coming from the camera are 1 red 1 yellow 1 black there is 1 blue and 1 white which doesnt look like the 2 of them connect. Then there is 1 seperate wire which is white with a red end which plugs in the monitor. Tried connecting them, we can get the camera to come on but it doesnt work at night so must be connecting something wrong. ]]> janrats http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1129539-security-camera.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1129324-dimmable-downlighters-low-energy-mains.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:23:55 GMT Finally putting downlighters in.

Probably going to use a varilight dimmer - and can't decide whether to go down the mains bulbs route or low energy transformer route.

I've been told that the mains bulbs blow far more often.

I've been told that low energy bulbs with transformers buzz more.

Finally, if low voltage is the answer, is it best to go for one transformer per bulb or one bigger capacity transformer for a number of bulbs.

Thanks

Any opinions welcome!:lease: ]]> music http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1129324-dimmable-downlighters-low-energy-mains.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1127939-x10-controllers-help-advice-needed-please.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:32:34 GMT I’m quite interested in getting some X10 gear for my house, and have done a fair bit of reading up on available kit, etc, from various sites. However, I can’t seem to find the right controller/master/brain for the system as I’ve found conflicting information. Can anyone recommend a system that... I’m quite interested in getting some X10 gear for my house, and have done a fair bit of reading up on available kit, etc, from various sites. However, I can’t seem to find the right controller/master/brain for the system as I’ve found conflicting information.

Can anyone recommend a system that will work with the computer switched off, yet hooks into my home LAN and allows local and/or remote control via the web or my iPhone? I’d like to be able to turn lights on/off remotely as well as have some lights on timers, etc, but my wife goes nuts about having a computer on all the time... :nono:

Thanks! ]]> SysRq http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1127939-x10-controllers-help-advice-needed-please.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1127450-used-lutron-homeworks-lighting-system.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:45:24 GMT I have found a dealer in my local market that has a used three panel Homeworks 8 system that is roughly 6 years old. This systems have all components including 18 dimming modules and about 15 of the 5 button keypads. Assuming the dealers are legit, what is a 6 year old system like this worth,... I have found a dealer in my local market that has a used three panel Homeworks 8 system that is roughly 6 years old. This systems have all components including 18 dimming modules and about 15 of the 5 button keypads.

Assuming the dealers are legit, what is a 6 year old system like this worth, just for the equipment?

Also anyone knows ballpark how much it would be new? ]]> johnfarm http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1127450-used-lutron-homeworks-lighting-system.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1126729-does-anyone-have-rako-rasoft-manual.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:56:54 GMT I'm struggling to find a manual for the Rako PC software (RASOFT), is there one? can't find anything on their website. I'm thinking of getting this along with a RAMB1 clock module but wanted to read a bit more about them before ordering. ]]> owain_thomas http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1126729-does-anyone-have-rako-rasoft-manual.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1126029-need-cheap-electric-heater.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:25:46 GMT I need an electric heater for the bedroom.

I've seen some before, but can't find them anywhere .They cost 5p an hour to run or something like that to top up heat.

I won't need it to heat the room up from cold - just to top of the heating when i switch the heating off at night.

I have an air source heat pump system which annoying heats up all the rooms or no rooms at all and seems silly to heat up a whole flat for one room.

Plus it turns on the fan in the bathroom as it extracts air which can wake me up as i'm a very light sleeper.

Can anyone recommend one, smaller the better.

Great noticed i spelt cheap wrong in the title. Can a Mod update pls. Can you also pls move it to "Home Automation, Lighting, Security, Heating and Cooling "



thanks. ]]> shahedz http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1126029-need-cheap-electric-heater.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1125577-z-wave-horstmann-as2-rf-mk-electric-astral.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:11:39 GMT Hi, I am about to start on a major building project which involves extending plus adding new central heating and electrics through the whole house. I have been looking at using Z-Wave as the protocol for automation. Possibly using a Micasaverde Vera as the master controller. Although I may... Hi,

I am about to start on a major building project which involves extending plus adding new central heating and electrics through the whole house.

I have been looking at using Z-Wave as the protocol for automation. Possibly using a Micasaverde Vera as the master controller. Although I may wait for "revision 2"

Has anyone had any experience of the the Horstmann AS2-RF Z-Wave room thermostat. I was considering pairing it with Danfoss Z-wave radiator thermostats (even though I realise they are +/- from set-point not full temperature control).

CM-Zone would be great if only it was Z-Wave! Same frequency but as far as I can work out it is not compatible.

Where I want to get to is a solution integrated with motion sensors so that I can turn off lighting and/or turn down heating if nobody is at home or areas of the house are unoccupied

Finally I was considering the MK Electric Astral range for lighting switch/dimming control. The only problem being that four months after launch nobody seems to be selling the range. A shame as they are the first Z-Wave switches that look good

Any thoughts comments, hints/tips, things to avoid would be appreciated

Thanks

Stuart. ]]> stuartf http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1125577-z-wave-horstmann-as2-rf-mk-electric-astral.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1124641-infrared-4-gang-dimming-advice-please-varilight-scenestyle-lutron.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:15:19 GMT i, I want a 4 gang/channel (is gang and channel the same thing?) remote control dimmer switch. After much research I have honed it down to : 4 Gang 2 Way 250w IQ Master Remote Touch Dimmer Switch = approx £40 Scenestyle 4 channel = approx £320 i, I want a 4 gang/channel (is gang and channel the same thing?) remote control dimmer switch.


After much research I have honed it down to :



4 Gang 2 Way 250w IQ Master Remote Touch Dimmer Switch = approx £40

Scenestyle 4 channel = approx £320

Lutron rania Lutron Rania 4-Gang IR Remote Control Light Dimmer = Approx £250



I am tempted towards the Varilight, because of price! £250 - £300 seems eextortionate to me.

I only want to control lights in one large room being downlighters on two separate circuits a hanging light and 3 x wall lights.

Can anyone tell me if there are any significant downsides to Varilight. If not I think I would go with them and would save a few hundred pounds. I am less concerned about fancy scene settings etc. as thi9ngs that would bug the hell out of me like buzzing.

I am not sure if it’s better to go by way of mains downlighters or low voltage lights. I am told that low voltage lights can cause buzzing? – but also that low voltage lights are much more economical. I don’t want LED as the light they put out seems rather unnatural to me.

Any advice seriously welcome. Please.

My ceiling area is 16 foot by 40 foot. Is there a recommended downlighter calculation based on ceiling area???


:confused: ]]> music http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1124641-infrared-4-gang-dimming-advice-please-varilight-scenestyle-lutron.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1124172-wiring-up-led-lights.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:10:46 GMT Hi. I have bought from Makro a strip of blue led lights with a control box fitted to make them flash etc. From the picture, does anyone know which wires to splice together to bypass the control box to simply have them on constantly lit? Also, can I break them if I just do trial and error... Hi.
I have bought from Makro a strip of blue led lights with a control box fitted to make them flash etc.

From the picture, does anyone know which wires to splice together to bypass the control box to simply have them on constantly lit?

Also, can I break them if I just do trial and error until it works?

The two wires on the right are the live and negative from the plug/transformer.

Thanks for any help,
Ted.

]]> Captain Ted http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1124172-wiring-up-led-lights.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1124030-futronix-x-bus.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:10:04 GMT Evening all,

Does any clever person out there know anything about the Futronix 'Databus' on the P400 and P800 dimmers? I'd like to know if connection to a PC is possible or the connection is a proprietary thing done by Futronix. There are 4 connections, 12v, GND, CLK and DATA. I havent tried contacting Futronix yet but I'm sure they will tell me it's not possible even if it is.

There is a two pin IR input which may be of use though?

Any input appreciated!

John

P.S. Also, if anyone knows if it's possible to turn off the LED display when the dimmer is off then that would also be much appreciated! ]]> MitsiTurbo http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1124030-futronix-x-bus.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1123920-cctv-system-recommendations-please.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:59:30 GMT Hi everyone,
I need to replace my Micromark cctv system as a; it is knackered & b; it wasnt very good.
I am looking for either a 2 or 3 camera system with a monitor & hard drive recording. The cameras I need would have security light assistance at night, colour day time option would be ok. I would mostly be needing the sytem to operate via motion detection. The problem I had with my old system was that by the time the camera had picked up any activity and started the video recording the intruder would have been on my property at least 10 seconds, so I am hoping for a quicker detection-recording time. I have seen a system by Lorex which I quite like but this is also a bit out of my price range at present. I am looking to spend c£300. But if the Lorex system is recommended or something else with the following points at a higher price will be considered:

• Weatherproof cameras
• Instant recording upon detection
• clear pictures day & night(with aid of security lights)
• reliable.

Thanks for any replies recieved.:hiya: ]]> megannibbles http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1123920-cctv-system-recommendations-please.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1123841-water-heater-turn-off-leave.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:29:55 GMT Hi, I have just moved to a new apartment that has a water heater fitted. I have not used one before and would like to know if I turn it off while im at work and turn it on overnight would this be better than leaving it on all the time? At the moment I turn it on around 10pm and off at... Hi,

I have just moved to a new apartment that has a water heater fitted. I have not used one before and would like to know if I turn it off while im at work and turn it on overnight would this be better than leaving it on all the time?

At the moment I turn it on around 10pm and off at 8.30am when i leave for work, when i arrive back home at 5.30pm the water is still hot all thought the afternoon so i do not need to turn it back on.

Do you think this is causing me to use more electricity or am i doing the right thing?

thank you for your time to reply ]]> JLA http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1123841-water-heater-turn-off-leave.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1123576-lighting-lutron-dimmable-low-energy-gu10.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:55:36 GMT Hi,

Just a quick post and hopefully a quick query!

I have bought Lutron dual 'Rania' IR dimmable switches for my refurb and I was planning to have just 2 circuits in the living room (ropelights and main lights) but I have now thought about a dropped ceiling around the edge and would like to also put some 'mood' lighting in it, in the form of a series of downlighta in the dropped part (if that makes sense). Therefore in the room there would be 3 circuits.

I thought about a graffik eye, but it's too cost prohibitive, therefore as i've bought my Ranias', I would like to use one of these and an additional generic IR controlled switch (or another Lutron if possible?) but as I will be controlling the lighting from a Harmony 1000, I wondered if there is any way to change the frequency (if I need to?).

My second question (might be stupid?!?) is that I am planning on downlights in most rooms and whether or not dimmable low energy GU10's are worth it? Will I really save that much electricity by using them? i.e. 10 x 50W GU10 = 500W, 10 x dimmable equivalent to 50W = 11W each, therefore 110W.

Many thanks in advance,

John ]]> big john 1983 http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1123576-lighting-lutron-dimmable-low-energy-gu10.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1122903-powerline-mains-switch.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:28:42 GMT I was looking at power line e.g. IP over the mains. Is there any adaptor that actually allows you to switch an appliance on/off like a light. Perhaps with a Web interface for timer functions and manual on/off. Had a quick surf but nothing apparent. Thanks JL I was looking at power line e.g. IP over the mains.
Is there any adaptor that actually allows you to switch an appliance on/off like a light.
Perhaps with a Web interface for timer functions and manual on/off.

Had a quick surf but nothing apparent.

Thanks

JL ]]> jlearmonth http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-automation-lighting-security-heating-cooling/1122903-powerline-mains-switch.html