- 1 Post
- 12 Comments
1·1 year agoOn Quick look, don’t see why that wouldn’t work. so you would be using the backup circuit breaker as a connection switch…
The only downside is if the Shelly relay does turn ON, and you have manually turned on the Secondary then you have two 16A breakers for the load (not one). That could be remedied if you used a double throw contactor relay to isolate the circuits and the bypass not just powers the relay, but also triggers the relay (disconnecting the primary breaker).
Probably would be best to give a description of what you are actually trying to do instead of how you are thinking of doing it. There are always multiple ways to do something.
To answer your question, sure, with relays, etc you can accomplish what you wrote…just not sure that’s what you really want.
Hi, With myServer, assuming you get hardware that is supported, this is all very well supported. We do video and audio matrices every day for our commercial sports bar / restaurant business.
The description of the control4 experience is close to a myServer experience, but not quite. It’s not as easy as that, but the idea is the same. myServer is MUCH more customizable than Control4 so it’s a little more involved.
Each device / channels are associated to a room. When you choose that room, then the system assumes you want to watch video in that room. So, the Outputs are made “active” for that room. You then choose a video source (like “Roku”). This then sets the Active video input. Behind the scenes, myServer tells the HDMI matrix to set that Input to that Output. And then you are watching your Roku (in your equipment rack) in your Living Room (the room you selected).
With the SmartRemote, you can choose that room, indicate it’s YOU (not your significant other) and that you want to watch Roku. The rest is done using the programming like described above. An emulator of this experience is available at https://allonis.com
And if this is what you want to implement, your timing is good because we have an active Kickstarter for what you would need at a greatly discounted prices:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1957275162/smartremote-a-customizable-remote-control
Feel free to ask further questions!!!
You can do AV distribution too…lots of ways.
many garage door openers will flash the interior light whenever the door is ready to open.
If you need this to be audible (for the blind?) then there has to be a light socket screw in that a noise maker could be used. I have seen light socket to plug adapters. Then plug to noise maker.
Like others have said - don’t buy Cloud based products. Don’t buy from huge marketing companies intended on World Domination.
That being said, there are lots of good options.
HomeAssistant, Homeseer, and certainly our (Allonis) myServer controller.
Speaking specifically about myServer (I think this applies to all three), there is no requirement for Internet connectivity. The only things you need Internet for is: Software updates from our cloud server, optional TVGuide data, optional Weather data updates. Remote assistance from Allonis. We have done high security installation for the government, a prison, and schools and a very popular Silicon Valley company. All require NO Internet connection for security. Some required the system to be on it’s own standalone network (not even from a managed switch).
Even our in development voice control system does not require any Internet access. Optionally you can decide to forward your “words” (not your conversations) to cloud based services that you are all very familiar with. But the core “remote control” aspects are handled by myServer in house.
We haven’t done Matter development yet (not ready for prime time) but I don’t believe there is any requirements for Internet if it’s executed with that requirement from the company that integrates it (Allonis). Feel free to raise and cite exceptions that are known.
Z-Wave and Zigbee and Lutron and DMX and hundreds of other protocols don’t require any connection to the Internet.
Make sure you have a well architected and engineered network starting with your firewall. Make sure you have modded the default password!!! That’s the number 1 gotcha.
Don’t give anyone access to your non Guest network. Ensure your Guest network has no connection to your devices or computers on your network.
Create a Control Network that is it’s own subnet independent of the rest of your casual use PCs. Ensure you use good password control of your Wifi network.
Anyway, the above items brings you into a pretty secure environment.
There are plenty of solutions for this simple problem.
The safety aspect is a couple of things:
- ensure nothing is draped over the heater before you turn it on. This is the hard one to do with any automation. Maybe with “AI” on cameras this could be done in the future. Of course that would then require a camera in the bedroom…
- ensure you have electrically the right capacity relay switch to handle the amperage of the heater. This one is easy. Many “appliance switches” are available in multiple technologies
- Is this a one shot project? Or to be part of a larger ecosystem of automated devices? This is the hardest to answer. If larger then pick your automation controller first, then your technical means of support of the appliance switch (ie: Z-Wave vs, Zigbee, vs. proprietary Wifi). Once those two choices are made, then your list of Appliance Switches to use is a shorter list.
If this is a One shot project, then there are proprietary smartphone apps that talk Wifi or bluetooth to matching appliance switches. But then your phone needs to be on the same network / proximity of the heater. That then starts to point on some of the benefits of a “real” control system that is always available to trigger automation tasks (ie: scheduled events like turning a heater on at 6AM during work days, and 8AM on weekends). Your phone does not then need to be present.
yes, Logitech decided to stop selling the Harmony line of remotes. But they are still providing support for them. No idea for how long. No one knows that magical answer.
That’s why I suggest that the Harmony Hub support within myServer / SmartRemote is a stop gap solution until you have migrated over your system to myServer comparable drivers and can trash the Harmony Hub if (when) they stop support and you can’t add any new devices.
You can use myServer’s browser based user interfaces on all of your Apple iPhone, iPads, Macs.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1957275162/smartremote-a-customizable-remote-control
I had lots of X10 way back in the day. Still have at least 30 devices. I like them because they are so easy to setup. But, like others have said, not the most reliable communications.
I still use them for Holiday decorations to put a candle in the window and have automation scheduled events turn them on / off. Wall relays plugged into outlets. Simple stuff!
Just depends on what you need.
For example, I extended wires out and down my driveway. But because it was an addon, I wasnt’ able to switch those lines (one big cable feeding a subpanel outside that splits to several circuits).
So, I just put some smart relays on the individual circuits to control.
My automation system (Allonis myServer 6) can then control each of those circuits by time (nighttime), by event (Holiday lights), or manually. so yeah, in that instance it’s a big convenience not to have to put a jacket and shoes on to go outside to turn on / off old fashioned manual light switches.
Since it’s the beginning of the holiday season, I just plug some smart relays into wall outlets and put lighted decorations into those just for the season. Then the automation system turns them on / off at the right times. That’s dozens of things that historically, would have to run around the house and property to unplug / plug in.
Since there are a zillion possible uses, it’s hard to say how it will help you. What are your anticipated needs?