Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 Aug 31, 2013 11:57 pm I am looking at starting a small home automation system (lights and maybe a lock to start). Has anyone used Z Wave before? It seems pretty easy and has lots of potential to add new units but I am wondering if it actually as good for the price as it seems. I am also getting some information about Environexus which seems similar. Our build thread with Redink 11/1 - Prestart 5/4 - Slab 29/4 - Brickwork 27/5 - Roof Cover 20/6 - Lock Up 20/8 - PCI 10/9 - Handover Re: Z Wave Home Automation 2Sep 02, 2013 10:40 pm Environexus from what I have heard in the industry is pretty good for what it provides. A simple solution for small jobs or retrofit. Not something I would put in a whole house if you can run cabling. Haven't heard any bad points about it apart from maybe scene control limitations, but can't confirm that. Great network as it's a mesh network, so the more ZWave devices that are powered the stronger the mesh network becomes and the more efficient sending and receiving the wireless signals become. Re: Z Wave Home Automation 3Sep 03, 2013 9:41 pm Thanks Tim. Seems like Environexus is about double the price per unit compared to other ZWave brands. Though the only place I could find prices was West Coast Hifi so I am not sure if they are just marking up the price. Do you know of any advantages it has, or if it is compatible with other brands? Our build thread with Redink 11/1 - Prestart 5/4 - Slab 29/4 - Brickwork 27/5 - Roof Cover 20/6 - Lock Up 20/8 - PCI 10/9 - Handover Re: Z Wave Home Automation 4Sep 04, 2013 7:12 pm Haven't used it yet. Push controls are doing package deals for high rise apartments using nexus. I know Dynalite lighting and some other lighting systems but in terms of ZWave I haven't used any. I researched some last year but never went down the path. Re: Z Wave Home Automation 5Sep 05, 2013 12:11 am Thanks, There isn't much I can find about Environexus but their in wall controllers look very similar to the Aeon Labs contollers. Looks like more research is needed. Our build thread with Redink 11/1 - Prestart 5/4 - Slab 29/4 - Brickwork 27/5 - Roof Cover 20/6 - Lock Up 20/8 - PCI 10/9 - Handover Re: Z Wave Home Automation 6Oct 02, 2013 7:18 pm We just got the pricing comparison to run the environexus system across our 55 square house. It came to around 20k including: 47 lighting modules a motion sensor a nexus bridge , a smart lock and 29 bell press switches. A ness security system with 1 alarm panel and key pad, 5 sensors , external siren and internal screamer 1 relay board and cable to external junction box for a future alarm on the pool gate. A 4 camera CCTV recorder. An IP intercom with a gate release strike home theater prewire 3 rooms of Speakers 5 Video Distributions and a bunch of extra data points. A wiring enclosure under the stairs and some other stuff Decorate your home. It gives the illusion that your life is more interesting than it really is. MY BUILD THREAD https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65479&p=1035832#p1035832 Re: Z Wave Home Automation 7Oct 29, 2013 7:43 am We are about to install the Fibaro system in our home that is due to be completed around the end of November. We are only doing light dimmers for all lights and sensors for, WIR Panty, Linen and external lights to begin with but will increase that in the future. The seller for me was how easy the GUI looked to be to use and that it had no on going costs for external access etc. Might be worth a look. Re: Z Wave Home Automation 8Oct 30, 2013 8:20 pm Considering the enviro-nexus hasn't been in the market for more than a year would worry me a bit. I would prefer to use a wired system over a wireless system if it's a new build or renovation. Re: Z Wave Home Automation 9Oct 31, 2013 1:26 pm I wouldn't suggest going a wired system at all as every time you want to expand anything you have to then run more cabling and are limited by the number of devices you can have on the original controller. Wireless is the way to go, also means you can control areas of the garden as well. The z wave modules are all much the same and you want to look specifically around support of modules, updates to firmware and how easy / good the actual software is to use. Fibaro and Vera are another two companies who do z wave controllers. Something else to consider is external access to your home automation as alot of companies will charge you can ongoing fee. Re: Z Wave Home Automation 10Nov 13, 2013 10:23 pm You may want to do some reading on z-wave here http://www.smartliving.com.au/forum Quite a few active AU people on the forum and lots of z-wave discussions. Re: Z Wave Home Automation 13Feb 03, 2014 9:07 pm Ok. Now with Automation Distributors Australia now selling Z-wave modes, I have spent hours on the phone with the technical manager Matt Manalis, I am convinced that this protocol has much to be based on the manufacturer of the modules more than the communication protocol itself. They have tested most of the available Aus versions and have found that the Fibaro branded modules work the best. Some of the other brands didn't dim properly, wouldn't go to 100% brightness and other problems. They also informed me that they are releasing a HAI/Leviton driver for the Vera Lite ZWave controller which will enable full integration between the two systems. No other ZWave system has this integration to date. So your alarm, door lock, lights, audio, access control, iPad are all interconnected and can react to each other. So if wireless ZWave is what you choose, make sure it's Fibaro and not one of the other brands and if you are thinking of integrating or having an alarm why not use the Leviton controller. Re: Z Wave Home Automation 14Feb 05, 2014 11:28 am the whole idea of Z-wave is that controllers etc are universal between brands... there are plenty of software packages that can control other brands devices... Slooowwwwly getting a Manhatten 35 in Middleton Grange Re: Z Wave Home Automation 15May 12, 2014 2:36 pm Reviving this topic; now that just about everything is done, time for the bells and whistles... I'm trying to decide whether to go with MCV Vera 3 or the Fibaro Lite; I gather from reading that Vera 3 has a poorer interface, but is more flexible, whereas Fibaro is easier to set up, but harder to customise. Also WRT in-wall light switching, there were claims that the Fibaro can overheat, as they are not as robust. But many say that they are a joy to set up. Initially I'm looking at controlling both house and garden lighting (doing scenes as some systems call it), such as when we walk in to the house, and going out to the garden. I would also like to be able to control our blinds, although I gather no system will work with the Luxaflex Platinum range due to the need for both IR and RF together, although there was a project to mod an existing Luxaflex controller. I'd also like to be able to remotely control our fire shutters, and need to know their current position (whether they are fully down). Might later extend to dropping the lights and/or blinds depending on time of day when the Blu Ray player comes on. I gather both systems can be controlled via the home network using a web interface, which would be a necessity for remote access (have a VPN to connect into the home network remotely). Would also be nice to be able integrate with a whole house energy monitoring system (how much solar output, how much energy use). Any suggestions and advice? Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1. optional, you can but normally just use the earth from the main switch board 2. should be enough but the distance determines voltage drop - sparky should work it… 1 42383 We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we… 5 37042 Hi Mrboh Just wondering if you have any BAL or flame zone issues on your block, as getting compliance with BAL requirements whilst doing bearers and joists is tough. Not… 1 19447 |