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I depend on wireless X10 to drive my automatic lighting and had noticed that while WGL design's W800RF32 receiver did one heck of a job, it did have a few shortcomings.  For one, it was susceptible to RF noise such as that generated by track light transformers and some CFL lights.  Secondly, it...

Following the advice of fellow Cocooners from a different thread, I ordered up some Bosch Blue line 2 pet immune security sensors from Surviellent Security systems. Here's the info from Bosch's site: Blue Line Gen2 TriTech Motion Detectors. Everything showed up as ordered today so I installed...

I need a way to sense room occupancy that doesn't depend on motion within the room itself. Pressure sensors are out too. What's the state of the art here I wonder?

I've built a quick application that uses the browser control in Windows Phone to add functionality to the HCA web interface: The remote access password is stored locally so you don't need to enter it Screen is optimized for the singlecolumn remote display Fully Gesture enabled on WM6.5 so...

So I had a chance to stay at the new Palazzo suites in Las Vegas recently and had marvel at their super-sensitive occupancy sensors in every room. I could literally twitch my finger and the detector would see it. It just reminded me of how dismal the Hawkeye sensors that form the backbone to...

Fortress is a 1900 square foot ranch located in rural WI. Featuring fully automated lighting and HVAC, Fortress even boasts its own radio station for music distribution and is also a testbed for my automation ideas. I'm lucky to have an understanding family! The nerve center of the system is...

So, I've a new Casablanca fan coming in to replace my existing ceiling fan in the dining room. Currently I control the lights and fan with two US1130 UPB switches without issues. However, the Casablanca has a special two-wire control and is controlled through some sort of proprietary modified...

Major Update for Home Control Assistant. Here's the top 30 list of changes: 1. Insteon! Support for the 2414U powerline interface for Insteon and X10 powerline access. Ability to send and query status from Insteon devices. Ability to receive Insteon keypad signals and use them as program...

I just finished installing a TVSS (whole house surge protector) in my electrical panel and have been researching these on some of the electrical contractor forums. Mine is an APC PMP1X. here's a shot of this device in my panel: (the TVSS is the white box on the right side). Anyway, there...

Now I know most everybody here uses something different, but there have been a few questions from other HCA (Home Control Assistant) users regarding mysteriously dropped W800RF inputs which manifest themselves as sensor trips not activating their associated triggers. Well, I'm happy to say that...

So two days ago we had a pretty good electrical storm during the night. I was woken up by a hit right next to the house. The next day, the house started acting flaky. The X10 switches just weren't functioning at their normal reliability. It was almost like I needed an X10 filter somewhere...

I've been playing with this WX data for a few days and thought I would share some of my findings. First let me say that METAR information is really useful! What would you think about being able to do these sorts of things in your automation system? If its overcast out, enable the home light...