My home automation

PS - like the idea of tapping into the alarm panel to find the state of various sensors! i was toying with putting two contacts on the windows... this way i just need one set of cables between alarm and pi, and lots of code to decode whats being sent!
To avoid the need for lots of code you could use the sensor to contol the coil of a two pole relay. Then use one set of contacts to operate the alarm input and the other set to operate the other systems inputs.
 
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Good point Bernard, but for me, that would be 96 relays. Code isn't all bad! :)
 
Hi Bob,

Similar to me, I use 20 or so ds1820 sensors on the i2c bus of a pi. I had initial problems with how far you could communicate reliably, but other than that, plain sailing. I use Perl by choice and rather than use a module to read the senaors, I just read the files in /dev which works well for me. Good luck.
 
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Bob,
Interfacing the galaxy is easy. Honeywell don't provide the spec, but it's easy to decide if you can do hex. Each zone is just a resistance meter, and the value in ohms is broadcast from each Rio for each zone every second. The rios have an ID, and that's it. Extra points if you can decide the keypad comms, it's not too tricky. Setting outputs etc... Can be done I'm sure, but I'm not there yet.
 
Not a mansion! But a pir and smoke sensor in each room, plus a couple of outbuildings and various doors soon gets near the 96 limit of this panel!! I think I actually have maybe 10 zones free
 
Hi Bob,

Similar to me, I use 20 or so ds1820 sensors on the i2c bus of a pi. I had initial problems with how far you could communicate reliably, but other than that, plain sailing. I use Perl by choice and rather than use a module to read the sensors, I just read the files in /dev which works well for me. Good luck.


What do you use to read them?

My code setup is:

write_reading.py - reads the sensor file, writes the value off to the mysql.

heating.py - reads the last known temperature, compares against the target and switches on/off accordingly all within database

display.py - runs an LCD with 5 buttons - so displays the current/target temp for each sensor/room, and buttons allow to cycle through the rooms + increase/decrease temperature all from within database

scheduler.py - reads a table from mysql which has preset times/sensors/temperature for target, and updates the current target for that sensor at the specified time for the new value all from within database.

All are working individually and together, just need to adjust to allow for sensors to be on different pi's rather then all connected to one. In terms of distance i've got readings of approx 10m lengths of cat5 reliably, and if multiple pi's work then no sensor should be more then 10m from a pi.

Now just need time to work on it along with renovating the house and working 2 jobs!
 
My sensors are AD22100 and the analogue to digital conversion is performed at the sensor location on bespoke PIC based convertors. These are networked on RS485 allowing up to 100 metres between sensor and controller. This after some trials with "long" leads between sensor and controller with analogue inputs at the controller.

Two types of board. One has 4 analogue inputs and the other a single input.
network test_4.jpg


The green LEDs are diagnostic for the board being addressed and the RED ( only on the 4 channel ) can be used as an indicator.

As ever this heating controller is a low priority project.
 
Oh my oh my :notworthy: this put's my system to shame; Can I ask, how much have you spent on all the automation and security systems roasty!?
 
Very professional looking. Did you find a company who would make small quantities without charging the earth?
I used the same company that I used for my business. UK based and their main production facility is in the UK. They are not the cheapest ( and not the dearest ) but they are reliable and the quality of their work is very high. It is also a one stop shop. I just e-mail the Gerber files for the layout to them, they then photo plot and check for any errors ( hole large than the pad etc ) and then 3 or 4 days later the boards are ready. They work on a fixed price per plate irrespective of how many holes and routing there is in the design. That makes costing of a project very easy and allows for several different items from different projects to be put onto one plate.
 
Awesome job, love the fact you got a massive box of fun snaps next to a couple of potentially explosive boilers and gas supply lol
 

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