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logbuilder
Newbie
Joined: February 03 2009
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 22
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| Posted: February 14 2009 at 03:36 | IP Logged
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I'm doing an integration of Powerhome and WebcamXP with the intent of sensing motion on outdoor cameras and turning on lights and sending pictures to a remote server.
Here is current status:
WebcamXP installed with one USB connected webcam just for testing. Working fine. Sensing motion and sending pics to remote server via FTP as expected.
Still doing research on which real cameras are appropriate. Ultimately I will have 5 of them - 4 outdoor and 1 indoor. The outdoor cameras will be IR connected via siamese cable to a 12v power panel and signal via a 8 port composite card in the PC.
Yesterday I received my order from Smarthome. I got 1 serial PLM, 2 access points, 1 30A controller that I will use to turn on/off water heater remotely, 1 appliancelinc, 4 non-dimming togglelincs that will controll ourdoor flood lights, 1 motion sensor for indoor movement detection, 1 togglelinc dimmer just for playing around.
Downloaded and installed Powerhome. No problems.
Started to hook up PLM and dang... no serial port on the older desktop I had assigned to this. Plenty of USB ports. I just ordered a USB to serial adapter and it will be here next week. So for now, that stops the insteon testing.
Using GadgetGuy's message on how to integrate Powerhome and WebcamXP, got the messages flowing between Powerhome and WebcamXP and have the popups coming out of Powerhome when motion is detected on the camera. Thanks a bunch GadgetGuy!
Tomorrow I will go ahead and replace the various switches with the Insteon switches to get that out of the way so that when the USB/serial adapter gets here, I can jump right in to trying to control those switches.
I need to read up on adding to my macro which is now doing the popup to turn on the 4 flood lights for 5 minutes and then turning them off if no additional motion is detected. I only want to do this if it is night. For now I can use a specific time window but want to add more flexibility by using the dusk and dawn logic. Gotta read more about that too.
So I'm feeling pretty good so far but bummed about the lack of serial port. I'm feeling confident that this is going to work.
A security company had quoted a price of ~$5k to do the job. I'm estimating that I'll come in less than $2k and will have lots more functionality and potential with the current components.
I'm very impressed so far!
I want a simple control panel displayed on the PC that would allow one button selection of several options such as "AWAY" and "HOME". "AWAY" would start email alerting on motions and turn off the hot water heater. "HOME" would stop email alerting of motions and turn on the hot water heater. Anyone what to point me where to look?
Thanks!
Robert
P.S. For what it is worth, here is a picture of the house. I've been building it mostly myself for the past 3 years.
Edited by logbuilder - February 14 2009 at 04:17
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BeachBum
Super User
Joined: April 11 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 1880
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| Posted: February 17 2009 at 11:08 | IP Logged
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Since this has been here for awhile I’ll bump it for you. I use a USB to Serial adapter with my PLM and have had no problems. As far as the other items I can’t help you but nice job on the house. 
__________________
Pete - X10 Oldie
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onhiatus
Senior Member
Joined: May 12 2004
Location: United States
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Posts: 279
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| Posted: February 17 2009 at 13:05 | IP Logged
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I have a bunch of schedules that are set differently when we are home and away. I have a button that toggles a global variable. The first line of each macro checks that value to decide what to do.
This could be as simple as:
JUMP If ("[WE_ARE_HOME]" = "True", 99, 1)
Which means if the global WE_ARE_HOME is true jump 99 lines (or out of the macro) otherwise execute the next line.
Truthfully I'd stay away from JUMP and use GOTO since labels are much safter when editing macros...
GOTO If ("[WE_ARE_HOME]" = "True", "End", "Continue")
The house looks beautiful!
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Topic: Status of Powerhome/WebcamXP integration
