For quite long time I have been using my “so called” smart home system based on Z-Wave device (around 20 pieces) with RazBerry and software from its web page. Additionally I used several plugins and mobile phone app on iPhone. How was it? Not bad – I could monitor house parameters, active some scenes… But I missed like hell a few features:
When playing with Smart Home I play with different chips but currently heart of my application is RazBerry2 with Z-Wave. This chip was improvement comparing to version 1 including PCB antenna. Team from z-wave.me gave however possibility to attach external antenna using connector or simply wire antenna. Continue reading RaZberry2 antenna extension
My new toy – Z-Uno – has just arrived. My first idea is to use it as platform for managing a few items in the kitchen – two set of lights under the shelves, monitoring temperature, humidity and pressure. But first quick glance and checking if it works
According to leaflet attached it is enough to connect the board via USB cable to the computer and lights should turn on. Z-Uno comes with blinking demo sketch preloaded. Start Smorthome UI and set controller into inclussion mode and press button B three times.
Z-Uno will be found and configured as dimmers. Changing value will change frequency of LED blinking – easy
When doing my own Z-Wave installation I have decided to make it without rush with simple steps. As such I have started with measuring temperature. When I moved in I have prepared for this 6-wired cable going along the garage wall and outside to the garden. My RazBerry controller is waiting at home and I gather equipment. I plan to limit soldering and use more connectors – some may be too big but I do not make precise probes (yet).
In this article I will come back to installation of home controller based on Raspberry PI and RazBerry daughter board. I will try to start from very beginning. In later posts I will be building environment around this control station – if I change my mind I will clearly describe it 🙂
For controller I want to use Raspberry Pi 3, RazBerry daughter board and system will be installed on 32GB card. I do not claim it is the only solution – but easy to start.
A few years ago when moved to new house I had a plan to introduce some automated system to control heating at first. Key reason was that I was very unhappy with heating system which was based on hot steam provided by power company. Problem was that with several houses on single connection there was huge loss and problem with getting satisfying temperature at given moment. As I had no clear idea at the beginning I though about building some wireless system which would allow me to control different components of the system.
That time I had Raspberry Pi and found out about Z-Wave.
