X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => Plug-ins => OnAlert => Topic started by: X10 Ken on December 11, 2008, 09:08:06 PM
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Hi All,
I have been using X-10 since shortly after it first came out. I have a mix of X-10, Radio Shack, and BSR units. However, I have not purchased any new equipment in the past 10 years.
Now I have moved into a new house and it's time to upgrade.
I'm getting an Active Home Pro and I want to be able to ring a chime every once in a while (30 to 60 minutes) if either if the garage doors are open.
It looks like I need a DS10A. Is this correct? Can I program a macro to do what I want? Is there a better way?
Any help would be appreciated.
Ken
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Try this: http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=14721.0
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Ah yes.... the user created Garage Door Reminder (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=14721.msg81860#msg81860)! I refered it to thejfk for his "gate open reminder" (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=16844.msg93915#msg93915).
I use the reminder macro with my BVC (http://www.davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) setup and my Of course I use a BVC (http://www.davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) voice announcement.... but a chime will work also. The Garage door announcement can be seen in my YouTube Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apZF77tsZlI).
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Ok, I understand that it can be done with a PSC01 and some sensors.
What about the "Heartbeat" feature on the DS10A. Would this work for me?
It seems more secure to have a unit that reports being left open rather than assuming it is open because that was the last event the computer received.
Ken
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Ok, I understand that it can be done with a PSC01 and some sensors. What about the "Heartbeat" feature on the DS10A. Would this work for me? It seems more secure to have a unit that reports being left open rather than assuming it is open because that was the last event the computer received.
At the time I setup my garage door reminder (using a powerflash module).... I didn't own the On-Alert software (NOW included free with AHP). The DS10A works fine for what you have in mind. The "Heartbeat" feature simply reports the units status... and shouldn't effect the usefulness of your system. And yes.. it is more secure to have a unit that reports being left open (using the DS10A).
Others have also used the DS10A for garage door status reports.
Actually... I've purchased the On-Alert software since my garage door setup... and have used the DS10A to create an Automated Chair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZEx3oP6rO0). As you can see in the YouTube Video.... I even created several macros all based on the same trigger (the DS10A)... but conditional to time. You could do the same to create "welcome home" macros... like lights turned on only if it's dark out.
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I thought I would post my final solution to the garage door left open problem.
It counts on the "Heartbeat" feature of the DS10A.
Assumes Flag #1 is clear at the start. No big deal if it is not, it will just chime when the door opens for the first time.
Macro #1 - Garage Open 1
Trigger: Garage DS10A Sensor Open
Condition: Flag #1 is off
Action: Set Flag #1 On
Macro #2 - Garage Closed
Trigger: Garage DS10A Sensor Closed
Condition: Flag #1 is On
Action: Clear Flag #1
Macro #3 Garage Heartbeat Open
Trigger: Garage DS10A Sensor Open
Condition: Flag #1 is On
Action: Chime On
These macros will cause a chime if the garage door is left open for an hour and every houri after that until it is closed.
Ken
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These macros will cause a chime if the garage door is left open for an hour and every houri after that until it is closed.
Pretty cool X10 Ken!
Is this a new setup... or have you been using this for a while now? I use the chime... actually I use the chime for a couple applications. What I've done (to avoid confusion and add WOW factor) is use a third-party software (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?board=36.0) that allows me to have a Voice Announcement (which sounds a friendlier too). I use BVC (http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) but announcements can also be done with WavPlayer or PC Companion.
You can see Voice the announcement/Remeinder on a YouTube Video at my BVC Fan Site (http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm).
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Is this a new setup... or have you been using this for a while now? What I've done (to avoid confusion and add WOW factor) is use a third-party software (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?board=36.0) that allows me to have a Voice Announcement (which sounds a friendlier too).
Hi Dave,
I recently starting having some problems with my CM11A and decided to get into the semi-modern world of X10. I got some new equipment upgrades and started from scratch, one project at a time.
The garage door was high priority because my wife and I have left it open on several occasions.
The voice information is on the list of things to do, but I want to make sure I don't get too dependent on the computer being up at any given time.
Now if I could only get my RF motion problem solved, I would be most of the way there to having a real system.
Ken
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The garage door was high priority because my wife and I have left it open on several occasions.
The voice information is on the list of things to do, but I want to make sure I don't get too dependent on the computer being up at any given time.
I agree about the high priority of the garage door. Even though I would describe my neighborhood as safe... I don't like leaving a door open. I found the little pocket garage door openers are the fault (not memory).
I also hesitated to use AHP... AND the 24/7 PC. As far as PC's controlling our homes... we that do that may be a tiny bit ahead of the curve. But only if you don't count all the processor enabled devices that we do depend on. Even my alarm clock... has no clockworks.
I used an old P3 throwaway computer... and I also have a backup. YES.. I do depend on the computer to give my home smarts. But I am also doing it with the old dust collectors that used to wait around till we were certain they would never be used again. Of course... there are limits too. I am not sure I could get a P2 to do what I am doing. And I know... my built-to-be-bad custom P4.. is about join the ranks of Home Automation PC too. It has some scanning and imaging projects to finish 1st.
Now if I could only get my RF motion problem solved, I would be most of the way there to having a real system.
Have you searched or posted about that yet?
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Now if I could only get my RF motion problem solved, I would be most of the way there to having a real system.
Have you searched or posted about that yet?
Yes, it's in the Macros section at http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=17523.0
It seems to be a timing problem depending on when a second RF signal comes in while my flash loop is running. I'm doing more tests right now.
Ken
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Where do you guys place your two garage door sensors?
I have 1/2 inch of snow and/or ice on the edge of the garage floor where the door meets the concrete for 9 months out of the year. And rain storms keep that area wet for the rest of the year. Not that where you all live stuff does not come from the sky.
I really want to do this. x10 excels at this sort of thing.
:Ron
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I placed my sensors on the side of the garage door and they work fine.
I used the magnetic switches from the DS10A Door and Window sensor and wired them to a PowerFlash module. The switch is located on the side of the door. The switches have been in place on both garage doors for about two years with no problems. A light is turned on in our Foyer when the door is left open after dark. The light also serves as an entry light when we get home late at night.
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Where do you guys place your two garage door sensors?
I only have one sensor (only one wide overhead door). I used a wide-gap reed switch (http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php?productid=388&cat=0&page=1) but I mounted the the switch on the frame at the top of the [overhead] door and the magnet part on the door [also at the top]. I have also seen pictures of setups with the switch near the motor mechanism.
The wide-gap reed switch (http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php?productid=388&cat=0&page=1) was overkill on my part.... I am sure a regular (DS10A style) switch would have worked just as well. Many use the actual DS10A... but I wired my sensor to a powerflash module.
This is an excellent use of X10. It has prevented the door from being accidentally left open several times.
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Where do you guys place your two garage door sensors?
I first put my DS10A sensor on the side of the door, but when I raised the door the sensor hit the track and ripped it off the door.
I then put them (two sets/two doors) on the top of the doors. I screw mounted the magnets through the aluminum at the top. They did not mount flat, but the DS10A will work with a significant gap between the magnet and the switch. I wired two sets of switches to a single DS10A.
Ken
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I've gone and done it.
I just bought a DS10A from the bay for a garage door alerter.
I guess I need to use that ON Alert to interface with it?
I have it. ;D
What would be really cool and what I'm going to shoot for, is to have AHP in some way or another, call us on the phone or text us if the garage door is open for more that say 1/2 hour.
I'm always turning around to check to see if I closed it when I drove away. It has always been closed BTW.
It's one of those autopilot things you know.
For starters I'll just pop off a chime or sumpthin'
>!
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What would be really cool and what I'm going to shoot for, is to have AHP in some way or another, call us on the phone or text us if the garage door is open for more that say 1/2 hour.
For starters I'll just pop off a chime or sumpthin'
That sounds very doable to me!
I also would like a text message to a cell phone if the door is left open AND we are away. The only problem... is would the PC call me or the wife... and how would the house know if we were home or not? I certainly wouldn't want to be trying to get in contact with the wife [or home]... only to find out she left the garage door open while she washes the car. Nor would I want her called (or even myself) while I mow the front yard or operate the snow blower.
Of course... under normal circumstances... the macros can be written around workdays, holidays, weekends, and time of day [or night].
If both the wife and I used the garage for car parking... car detectors, or parking mat/switches could be the solution. I could.. I think work out some macros that would call the last person to leave and left the door open. But I park my truck in the driveway so that complicates things.
RFID tags could be a solution... although not yet offered up in an easy kit form Bill Gates Home has an RFID system (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9738CIiY41k&feature=channel_page).
Also, HomeSeer has a plug-in called "Bluetooth connector" that if I understand it correctly could tell who's home based on the owners cell phone BlueTooth ID. I like the idea of the bluetooth ID.
Your welcome to my Garage Door Macro (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=14721.msg81860#msg81860) if you'd like.
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RFID gives this Christian the creeeeeps.
I won't even tag my dog.
The cat however.... where is that cat?
We discussed the need for a manual over ride but that can accidentally be left overridden.
That's why x10 is a good hobby. Little problems to work through and the feeling like you did something when you can "beat the system". Even if that system is yourself!
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RFID gives this Christian the creeeeeps. I won't even tag my dog.
I wasn't actually thinking of "tagging" the wife... I was thinking of the RFID door lock tags. So it would hang on the key ring and be my key to get in the house... as well as tell the house I am home. My sons new van has an RFID key to start it... the technology isn't new... and has proved to be reliable.
We discussed the need for a manual over ride but that can accidentally be left overridden.
I have a barking dog .wav file that is triggered by a motion sensor through a conditional macro. The condition in the macro is a monitored dummy module must also be turned On. Another set of dusk/dawn macros turn On the dummy module twice a day. So I can temporarily disable the barking dog .wav but it rearms itself automatically.
......... feeling like you did something when you can "beat the system". Even if that system is yourself!
I prefere the term: "exploit the technology". Any reliable failure in a system... is a potential reliable feature too.
I've been a little bit consumed lately with trying to get the house to know who is home. I feel it is the next big evolution of my HA setup... the benefits are too numerous to mention here. There are several (high-technology) ways to do this... all of them seem to be imperfect and pricey. I am looking for something simple, cheap, and reliable. I didn't mean to take over this thread with my thoughts.
This thread inspired me to start another thread about Occupancy Sensing (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=17581.msg97324#msg97324).
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I have a barking dog .wav file that is triggered by a motion sensor through a conditional macro.
Could I get a copy of your dog .WAV file?
Ken
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Could I get a copy of your dog .WAV file?
REX barking dog alarm (http://www.shopfromyourhome.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=REX&Category_Code=Home_Alarm) right click and and save. You will have to convert to play on a windows media player [I think]. Or... the X10 robo dog (http://www.x10.com/affiliate_pages/2005-q3/pk9000_s_mkl_ps52.html) plus you can search and edit/mix-and-match.
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I just played these from my laptop.
The cat here with me was marginally concerned, but my Chow/Shep/Malamute (with a gnarly bark of her own) naps on unimpressed. ;D
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[You will have to convert to play on a windows media player [I think].
Dave, Thanks for the links. I don't need any conversions. I already have a program I wrote that is always running on my computer to monitor incoming phone calls for phone spam prevention and tell me who is calling. I have it hooked up to an FM transmitter to rebroadcast .WAV files through the house. It would take very little to update the program to scan for a control file showing up on the disk and play the .WAV file a few times.
Ken
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