I recently got the information that the Nexa dimmers (with learning code) can actually dim to absolute levels! This makes them useful for real in home automation when you can tell a lamp to dim to 75% for example instead of just dimming up and down in steps. The function is “hidden” in the protocol and I don’t even think their own equipment can use it! I can’t however take any credit for the discovery; it was the guys at Telldus who had figured it out. Well, I have added this support to NetHome now, so there is a new Item called NexaLCDimmer, which support dimming to four different configurable levels. It is not in the official release yet, but it is in the nightly build on the download page.
Another thing I have recently realized is that Nexa are really just rebranding this product in Sweden. Even in Sweden the same product is also sold by another company under the name “Proove”. It would be interesting to know which brand names are used in other countries. I am for example almost sure that the ELRO Home Easy-system sold in Germany is the same, it would be interesting if someone could confirm this.
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Wow thats great. I have only nexa devices and dimming possibilities is great!
ReplyDeleteThere is just one more thing to wish for, low energy lamps that are dimmable, but thats kinda hard for nethomeserver =)
Well, actually dimmable low energy lamps via NetHome might be solvable. Nexa are releasing a low energy lamp with built in dimmer (see http://www.nexa.se/Ny-produkt-Augusti-2010.htm). I have not seen them in the stores yet, but my guess would be that they use the 433.92MHz band too, so it should be possible to control them via NetHomeServer if I just can figure out the protocol.
ReplyDelete/Stefan
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI develop my java/flex home server too !
And I am testing FS20 integration in my project !
But I can not connect my FHZ1300 to a FS20 valve drive, have you already test it ?
Good work !
Regards,
Olivier
Thanks Oliver. Well, I have not tried FHZ1300 myself (I have an FHZ1000), but I think other users have. There are a few things that needs to be cleared out, are you using my FHZ1000PC-class? What operating system are you using? I have heard indications of that there are problems with this on Windows Vista, but I currently only run Windows XP and Linux, so I have not been able to verify this.
ReplyDelete/Stefan
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI use FHZ1300, I have already modified your class for my test case :-)
It seems working (the port is opened, nothing wrong ???!!) ,
but I can not register my FTH8v ... (It want a pair command, and I don't known how to do that , but I search :-) )
Regards
Olivier
If you want, I can send you a little movie of my flash interface ;-)
I have not worked with the thermostats in the FS20 system, so I am afraid I can’t really answer how the pairing sequence works to the FHT8V. If you find out, I would be interested in knowing though… Try looking at http://fhz4linux.info/tiki-index.php?page=Thermostatic%20Controls for more information.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would like to see how your flash interface looks. I am currently working with a new WEB-interface on the NetHomeServer, so all inspiration is welcome!
/Stefan
Do you know when youll support the upcomming tellstick duo?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Tellstick Duo, I actually wrote to Telldus and asked if NetHome could participate in the trials of the product when they asked for beta testers, but they never replied.
ReplyDeleteFrom a technical point of view I guess it would be reasonably easy to add the support, given that I had access to hardware and interfaces. NetHomeServer currently supports multiple types of transceivers (even simultaneously).
/Stefan
Hi, I'm possibly interested in getting involved in your NetHomeServer project if you're still looking for help. Is the code publicly available so that I can see how it functions before committing to anything? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Greg, that sound great. It is not really publicly available yet. Send me a mail (address is on the "Current State-page") for details. /Stefan
ReplyDeleteHi !
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see that you still implement a lot of different protocols and features in your software !
I use it to capture 433Mhz, thanks to a modified transmitter, a lot more affordable than a RFXcom...
To maybe have a more decent hardware, do you still have troubles with the CUL hardware as a receiver ?
To transmit i own a Tellstick..
You wanted to know what brands use the Nexa/HomeEasy protocol, as far as i know most of the modules comes from a china based company named arctech, and it is used, at least in France, in the most recent Chacon module (with automatic code learning), the Elro AB600 series (I have 1 Chacon micromodule and 3 AB600 switches and i use the same Elro remote for both..) and also the Diagral switches.
Thanks again !!
Romain
Thanks a lot Romain!!
ReplyDeleteThat was exactly the kind of info I wanted. I will add this to the description page.
Unfortunately I have not been able to get the quality of the reception from the CUL-stick good enough for generic use. It is great as a transmitter, but the reception is not good enough. It may of course be because some setting is wrong, but I suspect that the rather advanced receiver have problems with these very primitive pulse length based protocols.
/Stefan