newbie

Community Playground Getting Started & Initial Setup
1

Hello everybody,
this is my first post and I read lots of good info here.

I am about to but the
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/SmartHomeUSA/Item/VERA-LIGHTING-KIT-2/
and few of 2 x Foscam FI8918W Wireless Internet IP Cameras.

Do you guys this is good beginning and they will work well.

I am also looking for thermostat that will work with Vera and Garage door remote monitoring plus ability to close / open the garage door. Any suggestions?

Also I have a ADT alarm system, about 12 years old? Is there a way to integrate it with Vera? Probably you will need a model #:)

Thx,
–emax

2

It’s a good way to get started.
Vera is flexible and works pretty well over all. There is a fair amount of tinkering involved. But it’s worth it to me otherwise.

In speaking with the Smarthome guys yesterday, I found out that the Garage monitor does not seem to know when the door is open or closed. So be aware.
I ended up installing the Garage Butler instead to make sure the door is closed after a certain period of time.
My next step is to install the Foscam camera. But that will be next week…

3

For the garage door, read this post: http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=4773.0
Works perfectly for me. I can monitor and operate my garage door remotely. Works very well with the growl/prowl plugin for iPhone as well.

4

you might want to just get the vera2 and try grabbing deals from radio shack

5

I agree with the thread above for the garage door opener.
As far as the thermostat goes, I’ve had the Trane for a while now and it works perfectly for me.

6

Thx guys for all input.

that tread for garage opener seems to be not so reliable, or its me.

anybody tried this one:
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/skylink/Item/GS-101/

now is problem just how to close it remotely

7

[quote=“mario23, post:5, topic:167673”]I agree with the thread above for the garage door opener.
As far as the thermostat goes, I’ve had the Trane for a while now and it works perfectly for me.[/quote]

Which Trane Thermostat do you have that can talk to Vera?

8

I have the WayneDalton thermostat and it works well. One complaint: you can’t control the fan (Auto/On) - not a big deal, but I have the urge to circulate the house air on occasion. I read that the Tranes can do it.

The Foscams work great, both for streaming and snapshot. Their default resolution is better than a Linksys cam I have of similar quality/price.

For the garage door you don’t have to get fancy… I use a Door/Window magnet sensor mounted on the frame and it works great. I get notified when it is opened (i.e. sensor is tripped). I also wrote a scene that runs every 30 minutes to notify me if it is still tripped (i.e. I forgot to close it). I wired a z-wave relay module (from Evolve) to a battery operated garage door opener remote. A simple On-Wait-Off scene simulates a button push to open/close the door.

Welcome to Vera!

John

9

John, I would love to see pictures and get a more detailed description of your setup. I’m comfortable soldering and have a doorbell switch right next to the garage door that activates the open/close function so I’m sure I could patch your solution in. I’d like to see the scene etc. Would love to implement this in my home. Thanks!