X10 type home automation

[E.S. Rosenberg]

2013/2/9 Geoffrey S. Mendelson <geoffreymendelson at gmail.com>

> Long ago, in a time before Linux existed, in a place far, far, away, I had
> a home automation system.
>
> It used X10 modules sold by a company called BSR (which was only related
> to the British company because at one time they sold BSR turntables).
>
> I had both manual controllers, which allowed me to turn off and on lights,
> etc from other rooms in my house.
>
> I also had an interface which allowed me to send commands on a serial port
> to it which would be sent to modules over the power lines.
>
> I wrote a command line program that ran under SunOS to control it. This
> gave me the ability to use a crontab, etc to control things.
>
> I'd like to implement that here. The mechanical timers available just
> don't work very well, and have to be reset every time the power goes out,
> which is too often.
>
> So what I am looking for are modules that have an on/off switch (relay
> type) in them. We no longer have any incandescent lights to use the dimming
> lamp modules. These modules should accept an Israeli three prong plug or an
> EU type two pin one, and  plug into an Israeli outlet.
>
> I also need some sort of computer interface to control them. I assume by
> now if there is anything at all, it is a GUI. It should run on Linux. USB
> or ethernet would be better than RS-232, but I will gladly take that too.
>
> I may be asking too much, but looking at the current prices of 120 volt
> units, I should be able to pay around 100 NIS per module and 200-300 for
> the controller, but I am willing to pay more if I have to.
>
> Thanks in advance, for any information.
>
> Geoff.
> --
> Geoffrey S. Mendelson,  N3OWJ/4X1GM/KBUH7245/KBUW5379
> Gung Hay Fat Choy! (May the new year be prosperous).
>
>
>
>
>
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I don't know if/where it's sold in Israel but this Dutch computer webstore
lists some X10 products so that can give you an indication:
http://www.myelectronics.nl/contents/nl/d302.html
If you're open to other technologies then you can also go with Z-wave,
Insteon, Zigbee, etc...
aliexpress carries z-wave and zigbee products.
Also check out these guys:
http://www.opensourceautomation.com/plugins.php

Maybe these guys carry something useful, I found them when looking for
arduino products:
http://www.4project.co.il/

Regardless you will most likely end up having to rewire stuff unless there
is someone actually making this stuff with Israeli outlets on em...

You can also try to make controlled outlets/dimmers with ethernet arduinos
or zigbee arduinos...

Good luck,
Eliyahu - אליהו
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