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Author Topic: Best way to monitor door status ?  (Read 6410 times)

radeohedca

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Best way to monitor door status ?
« on: March 04, 2011, 10:02:05 AM »

What is the best way to monitor the status of a door using the CM15A ?
As I understand it, the DS10A window/door sensors are 1-way devices so they cannot be polled although they do "beacon" their status every now and then but that is not good enough for my application.
Thanks.
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PajamaGuy

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2011, 11:31:39 AM »

If your range is ok, and if AHP reflects the status of the door, you can use the door switch to SET/CLEAR a flag, then build a macro based upon the status of the flag.
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Brian H

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2011, 11:37:42 AM »

Does this need to be RF signals from the door back to the CM15A?
I don't think there are any RF devices that can be polled for status.

Maybe a power line device but I am not even sure on that.

Will poke around and see if any power line devices can be found. That take an input, send an X10 on or off depending on the input and can be polled for status.
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dave w

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2011, 12:20:58 PM »

As I understand it, the DS10A window/door sensors are 1-way devices so they cannot be polled although they do "beacon" their status every now and then but that is not good enough for my application.
Like Brian said: You can not poll X10 RF devices. You can poll Z-Wave. Like "Jammy Guy" suggested: set and reset a flag based on the DS10 transmitions.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2011, 03:48:26 PM by dave w »
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Brian H

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2011, 01:02:02 PM »

Overkill here.
The WGL PF8 eight input module. Will send an on and off for eight dry contact inputs {unlike the Powerflasher it can not accept any input voltages} and can be polled for its status. I tried one and it does respond. Uses 8 X10 addresses 1-8 or 9-16. House code can be set. On and off can be inverted for each input if needed. So a magnetic switch on the door could trigger one of the PF8's inputs and I would think more things if wired to the other 7 inputs.

I tried a Insteon I/OLinc with an X10 address on the input. It also would not respond to an X10 status request.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2011, 01:16:34 PM by Brian H »
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HA Dave

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2011, 02:25:26 PM »

What is the best way to monitor the status of a door using the CM15A ?

What do you mean by monitor? Do you want emailed if the door opens? Do you want a chime, a light to come on, a recorded event as to when the door opened? Monitored is a somewhat general term. What do you actually want to do?
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radeohedca

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2011, 02:28:59 PM »

I think the SW48A-GARAGE-WP-UP1 kit will do exactly what I want.

BTW, I'm just getting up to speed with ActiveHome Pro. Is it possible to have it send an e-mail upon a trigger event ?

Thanks guys.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2011, 02:31:59 PM by radeohedca »
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billcoff

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2011, 12:36:31 PM »

This is what I did and I would appreciate any suggestions to make it simpler. I recently installed a Morning Industries Radio Remote control Deadbolt Entry Lockset on my back door. I wanted a way to control it from my iPhone. First I wired two X10 Universal Modules to the Lockset remote (Lock and Unlock) and set up two macros in AHP. I then installed X10 Commander on my iPhone. If I send A1 on, the door will lock, A1 off, the door will unlock. I then wanted a way to monitor that the door lock actually worked. I installed a micro switch connected to a DS10A door sensor in the jamb that is closed by the dead bolt. When the bolt is closed, it sends a closed signal and when open sends an open signal. This shows in X10 Commander as A4 on or off. I am sure I could have come up with simpler macros, but this setup works fine.
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HA Dave

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2011, 12:48:52 PM »

I searched to find the Morning Industries Radio Remote control Deadbolt Entry Lockset.... very nice. I read your setup description and I think its very impressive. 

#:) Thanks for sharing!
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billcoff

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2011, 01:46:28 PM »

I searched to find the Morning Industries Radio Remote control Deadbolt Entry Lockset.... very nice. I read your setup description and I think its very impressive. 

#:) Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I appreciate the compliment. I am a bit proud of how my little project worked out. I found the lock on sale at Frys Electronics for $60.00. Here is a Youtube video of the setup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEI8YdAv-cE
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Brian H

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Re: Best way to monitor door status ?
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2011, 03:15:13 PM »

Thank you for sharing you project with us.
The video looks nice.
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