💬General Category > General Discussion
A side hustle here?
brobin:
--- Quote from: JeffVolp on February 23, 2019, 01:08:21 PM ---
--- Quote from: HA Dave on February 23, 2019, 11:00:27 AM ---So... does anyone have any ideas on how to make our X10 passion a hustle as well?
--- End quote ---
When I designed the original XTB to boost the output of my TW523, it might have been considered a "hobby" when I started offering the kits to others. I bought parts for 100 kits, and hoped to sell most of them. That expanded into a full-time business with a dozen products and almost 5000 units shipped. Now that it is time to retire, I'd like to transition production over to someone else to keep the products available. So there is your chance for a "hustle".
Jeff
--- End quote ---
It still boggles my mind that X10 hasn't taken you up on that. :'
dave w:
Over the years I have considered such a move. I always held back because I was working for a fortune 50 company that was so great to work for, I wasn't willing spend time to even think much about details. If I were to try something now, I agree with brobin. I would push a mesh network like Insteon or Z-Wave. Not X10.
Just too many problems with X10. Number one; I would push the XTBIIR as a required element, but what if the customer wanted automation, but only to control a few devices? The XTBIIR would almost guarantee a reliable system, but would add close to $500 to the system price because I would have wire it into the electrical panel, making sure I met all code requirements. With that sort of "I want no post installation headaches" requirement, even using the X10 Pi hub with maybe 10 device controlled, would dictate probably a $1000 base cost. And I would not offer security because I would not want to accept the perceived or real liability. So I just went out of business before I started.
About the only thing brobin said that I would differ with is; if using X10, I would sell the WM100 as an "anywhere in the world" remote control. :'
LostDog88:
When I started on this journey I just wanted to control a few lights locally and with a remote.
That quickly blossomed into pretty much a full automation. No voice/alexa/echo/etc as I don't really believe in wiretaps in my house. ;D rofl rofl. But seriously. Call me crazy or conspiracy freak. I am not getting one.
With that being said. I can turn all lights off when I leave with one button on my keychain. The wife loves she can push a button and inside lights pop on ready for her to enter her home. I can arm a (fairly lame) security system, but it's loud enough the neighbors come check it out and call me. Set scenes when on vacation. Have the lights turn on at dusk and after we go to bed. Turn on in the morning and off at dawn. And the list keeps growing. Currently I am working on a door bell system and when that is working I will be able to send an email when someone pushes that button and I am on vacation. That with a camera will tell me to call my neighbor and ask him to pick up the amazon package.
As for cheap.....well that is the old triangle. Cheap/Fast/Quick. Pick two. And only two. You cannot have all three. When I started just controlling a few lights we were only talking about a couple hundred bucks. With my pro installation rofl rofl maybe four hundred total for 5 or six lights. Now where I am at....yah.....pretty much about a grand. But the point is made. Home Automation with some sort of security that is under 1K. Pretty fair in my opinion.
dave w:
--- Quote from: LostDog88 on February 23, 2019, 05:05:11 PM ---When I started on this journey I just wanted to control a few lights locally and with a remote.
That quickly blossomed into pretty much a full automation.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, It's like meth, coke, etc. You quickly get hooked. The difference is: home automation is legal, and fun. <grin>
LostDog88:
--- Quote from: dave w on February 23, 2019, 06:27:44 PM ---
--- Quote from: LostDog88 on February 23, 2019, 05:05:11 PM ---When I started on this journey I just wanted to control a few lights locally and with a remote.
That quickly blossomed into pretty much a full automation.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, It's like meth, coke, etc. You quickly get hooked. The difference is: home automation is legal, and fun. <grin>
--- End quote ---
Yah.....seems like it was a good week to stop sniffing glue! LOL. For you younger folks.......that movie is called Airplane. With Lloyd Bridges...If you never seen it. Do so NOW!! rofl rofl rofl
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