INTERACT FORUM
Devices => Engen -- Home Automation with Z-Wave => Topic started by: JimH on July 30, 2016, 09:09:26 am
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Hardware
You will need a Z-Wave Controller. This is usually a USB stick like the Z-Stick (https://www.amazon.com/Aeon-Labs-Aeotec-Z-Wave-Z-Stick/dp/B00X0AWA6E?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0). It should work on Windows, Linux, or OSX. They cost around $50.
You can plug it in any computer, but since it is on 24 hours a day, it would be nice to have a lower power computer like an Intel NUC or a Raspberry Pi.
We offer these computers. Contact sales at jriver for more information.
Europe is not North America
The radios are slightly different, so you need a controller and devices that use the same system. This usually means buying from a company in your part of the world.
Software
The software that talks to the Controller turns the computer into a Gateway. Our software is Engen (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=105107.0).
Download from a thread near the top of this board and install it. Make sure the Z-Stick (or equivalent) is plugged into the computer you're installing on.
Then run the software. If it finds the Z-Stick, you're ready to start pairing.
Devices
They must support Z-Wave. They must be made for your region. Amazon is a good source. We try to support everything they sell. Expect about $40 to $50 per device at this time.
Pairing
The devices you use must be aware of the controller and vice versa. This usually means removing the Z-Stick from the computer, pushing the button that puts it in learning mode, then pushing a button on your device. Sometimes just plugging the device in puts it in a pairing mode for a while.
On the Z-Stick, a successful pairing is indicated by a couple seconds of very fast blinking (multiple times per second). This is easily missed.
When finished, you just plug the Z-Stick back into the computer. This automatically terminates the learning mode.
Up and Running
You're ready to switch something on. In a browser on any computer, tablet or phone, enter this URL, replacing [IP Address] with that of the computer which hosts the Z-Stick.
[IP Address]:52199 (to open Panel (http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=105883.0))
[IP Address]:52125 (to open the Lighting menu)
Example: 192.168.0.12:52125
If you have trouble, test these in a browser on the computer which hosts the Z-Stick:
localhost:52199 (opens Panel)
localhost:52125 (opens Lighting)
This is talking to the web server which is built into Engen. With it, you can control the whole system.
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Costs
For a basic system with two switches: $175 plus the computer
For a ten switch system: $575
Time Needed
To get the first light switch working One hour
To get the next ones going Five minutes each
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Thanks for this simple guide, Jim. I shall be getting into all this very soon.