I'm baaaack

[ben_bambenek]

Got a new job and sold the old house (Leaving all the automation in place)

Had to re-hab the new house and put in new electric, plumbing etc....
1 year later .....

I did have the forsight to purchase an upgrade from 1.7 to 2.X before moving. I did get my Ocelot and X10 switchs and modules working with the software installed on a 2003 server box this week, now I'm just trying to catch up on whats changed. A couple of "simple questions" (I expect Rupp to be as responsive as he always has been)

Whats the difference between HSPro and HS2 (it looks like they both have a lot of the same features) ?

Which way do I go with new control modules and such (Zwave vs Insteon vs good old X10) ?

Just by way of introduction I work for a company by the name of Rockwell Automation which specializes in factory automation. I am an instructor traveling the nation teaching ladder code, structured text, function block and sequential function charts (Programming the Rockwell family of Processors, PLC's) . If you don't know what this stuff is send me an message and I tell you what I know. I also spend some time teaching and programming Rockwells HMI (Human Machine Interface) products as well.

Anyway its good to be back and working on my home automation !

[TeleFragger]

in bold....

Got a new job and sold the old house (Leaving all the automation in place)

Had to re-hab the new house and put in new electric, plumbing etc....
1 year later .....

I did have the forsight to purchase an upgrade from 1.7 to 2.X before moving. I did get my Ocelot and X10 switchs and modules working with the software installed on a 2003 server box this week, now I'm just trying to catch up on whats changed. A couple of "simple questions" (I expect Rupp to be as responsive as he always has been)


Rupp... who is he.... Just kidding.. he is very helpful since I have been here...

Whats the difference between HSPro and HS2 (it looks like they both have a lot of the same features) ?

I believe the difference is Pro includes all plugins opposed to paying for each individual plugins... not sure which are included but it is alot of them...

Which way do I go with new control modules and such (Zwave vs Insteon vs good old X10) ?

well if you read up insteon is having issues and some people have 0 problems and some have nothing but......

I personally am all x10.. and have it running great....

Just by way of introduction I work for a company by the name of Rockwell Automation which specializes in factory automation. I am an instructor traveling the nation teaching ladder code, structured text, function block and sequential function charts (Programming the Rockwell family of Processors, PLC's) . If you don't know what this stuff is send me an message and I tell you what I know. I also spend some time teaching and programming Rockwells HMI (Human Machine Interface) products as well.

Anyway its good to be back and working on my home automation !

[Wadenut]

[QUOTE=ben_bambenek;821310]Just by way of introduction I work for a company by the name of Rockwell Automation which specializes in factory automation. I am an instructor traveling the nation teaching ladder code, structured text, function block and sequential function charts (Programming the Rockwell family of Processors, PLC's) . If you don't know what this stuff is send me an message and I tell you what I know. I also spend some time teaching and programming Rockwells HMI (Human Machine Interface) products as well.
QUOTE]

Can you get us any deals? I'd have to re-mortgage the house to afford a 5/80 processor not to mention a chassis and I/O.

Actually, if I could get my hands on a Panelview... I work with A/B (Rockwell) stuff every day. I've often thought the PV+ would be a fantastic tool for HA.


Oh yes, welcome back!

[ben_bambenek]

PLC 5/80's

Yep the PLC 5's are very much price prohibitive, you can get a Micrologix 1000 with 10 I/O points and software for $250.

The Panelviews are another story, my cost (as a employee) are still way to expensive. I have hooked one into my X10 controller (Ocelot) via the OPC interface and controlled the X10 house modules. Even wrote some ladder code to interface into the X10 stuff with a Micrologix.

Lots of fun stuff

Thanks for help on the HSPRO and HS2 stuff

[Wadenut]

you can get a Micrologix 1000 with 10 I/O points and software for $250.

There's an alternative to Logix500? We pay $2K/year/package.

[ben_bambenek]

RSLogix 500

Its a special "free" version of RSLogix 500 just for the Micrologix, it has some limitations (like no online editing)

You can download it from the RA Support Site with a no cost account, just create an account on the website (support.rockwellautomation.com) and goto the download page

RSLogix 500 Starter for 10 Point MicroLogix 1000 Programming Software 9324RL0050ENE 6.10.00 Web Release

Hope this helps

[macromark]

The comparison matrix is a sticky in a number of forums. this should help: http://board.homeseer.com/showpost.p...77&postcount=1

[Wadenut]

I already have the account set up at work. I'll be a hero for "finding" this. Our rep has never mentioned it. Thanks.

[mfisher]

Yep the PLC 5's are very much price prohibitive, you can get a Micrologix 1000 with 10 I/O points and software for $250.

The Panelviews are another story, my cost (as a employee) are still way to expensive. I have hooked one into my X10 controller (Ocelot) via the OPC interface and controlled the X10 house modules. Even wrote some ladder code to interface into the X10 stuff with a Micrologix.

Lots of fun stuff

Thanks for help on the HSPRO and HS2 stuff

For simple PLCs I've found that these just can't be beat: http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.22/.f.

A 6in/4out/2analog in is only $59 and while you'll need to buy a programming cable for $19, the programming software is free. These can be programmed in either ladder or their custom graphical editor, which is similar to a creating a schematic. I've used them on several projects and they just work. A friend is using one to control his HVAC and whole house fan.