main controller

choosing a controller

Choosing the right controller is important. While it's not necessarily the most expensive part of the system it does dictate what the overall system can and cannot do and how you access it. If you select a controller with limitations you'll probably have to rethink some of your setup to work around it, or you'll have the trouble of selling the old one, getting a better one and reconfiguring everything.

There are basically two types of controllers:

1. Stand-alone: The main advantage of a stand-alone controller is that you don't need a regular computer to be running 24/7 to run schedules and control the nodes in your house. This type of controller has on-board memory, clock and processor so it takes care of everything. The way it works is you create your plan and schedule on a computer, upload it to the controller via USB (or some other interface) and plug it in. The main drawback of using a sand-alone controller is that firmware updates seem limited and obviously if the hardware cannot do what you need that's the final word. Some of the stand alone controllers can connect to your router so you can connect to it and send commands to your home over the Internet. Here are some models:
   
   
   • PowerLinc 2414U (~$69 as of Nov 2010)
   • SmartLinc 2412N Network Enabled (~$129 as of Nov 2010)
   
   
2. Computer: with this setup you install software that acts as the actual controller and leave the computer running 24/7. Since regular computers are not capable of sending INSTEON signals you need to connect a "modem" to the computer, this modem does know how to communicate with other INSTEON devices and the computer will send the signals through it. The drawback is that you need to keep a computer up and running at all times (a lot of us have one already, so no big deal), but you will be able to take advantage of software updates which seem much more frequent and add a lot more functionality than possible with a stand-alone controller. There is software for all platforms and a lot of support out there. Some of the software I found is:
   
   
   • For Linux
     • MisterHouse (Free, also works on Windows or OS X)
     • iLink (Free)
   • For Mac OS X
     • Indigo (Lite Version ~$89; Full Version ~$179)
     • Shion (Up to 3 modules Free. License $35)
   • For Windows
     • PowerHome (~$99)
     • mControl (~$130)
     • HouseLinc 2 (~$160)
   
   You can use stand-alone controllers as a modem with some of the software above, that way you'll have both options. If you decide to go with the computer and modem only here are some of the modems available (check the documentation of the software you choose to make sure it is compatible with the modem you select before purchasing it):
   
   
   • PowerLinc 2412S Serial (~$69)
   • PowerLinc 2412U USB (~$79)
   • PowerLinc 2413U USB Dual Band (~$99)

My choices

For my project I decided to go with a computer setup. Here is what I will be using for the Main Controller:

• iBook G4: I already have a very old iBook laying around and this is a great use for it.
• Indigo (Full Version): Indigo has all of the features I need (see requirements) including a web interface and a full-featured iOS client which is free after you get the main license.
• PowerLinc 2413U: I chose this modem because it is dual-band, meaning it will send both Power Line and Radio Frequency signals for devices that need it (Remotes, Thermostat, Motion Sensors), with it I will not need an additional "Access Point" as the 2413U already acts as one.

Basically this is how my initial setup will look like (image taken from smarthome.com):

« Back to Domotics Home | Lights »

  © 2005-2012 Oscar Ferrer