As i mentioned in my previous post, i developed a Homeseer Plugin for the Alphatronics Wireless Interface. This is the second Plugin i have developed for Homeseer, so the time to get the Plugin working was shorter then the first time. I know a bit more about Homeseer, getting to know the methods to call, etc. etc. With this Plugin most of the time was spent on the configuration pages; this time i made ASP.NET (.aspx) pages instead of doing it the hard way, i.e. embedding them into the Plugin itself.

Here some screenshots of the plugin:

The Plugin supports Serial connection type as well as Ethernet. Reason for this is that i have to be able to support the Plugin, but i have my interface connected to Ethernet by means of a Serial device server, the Sollae EZL-400S. This device is located at my fuse cabinet, where a ACT TI213, PLCBUS PLC1141 and this interface are connected to it. I have 1 RS232 port available.. but not for long i think

The screenshot below shows the sensor configuration page:

Visonic Sensor Configuration

Depending on what the sensor is used for, you can change the text that will be shown on the HS Status page when a sensor is in Alert status or not:

Homeseer Status page

Some time ago i received a new interface i had never heard of or had seen before, made by Alphatronics. It’s called a Wireless PC Interface and it can be used for receiving 868 MHz Visonic Powercode and CodeSecure transmissions. With this interface i can receive all my Visonic sensor i have, Keyfobs are received very good as well.

Here’s what the Interface looks like:

Some details:

Connection : RS-232, 9600,8,N,1.
Number of sensors supported : unlimited
Power supply : 12V DC
LED indicators : COM and Power

A very nice feature of this interface is that every received packet comes with information about the signal level, so you know exactly how good (or not) a specific sensor is being received. I’ve made some charts of these signal levels here. As you can see in the charts, some sensors are always received very good like the front door, others sometimes show strange ‘dips’.

Another very positive thing is that this interface receives Visonic keyfobs very well. From the day i started using this interface i have an event active that is triggered by the aux button on my Visonic keyfob that will open/close the garage door for me. It works perfectly.
I got the interface from Waakzaam Wonen (http://www.waakzaamwonen.nl), so if you’re interested i would suggest to contact them for more information.
I’ve also developed a HS Plugin for this interface. Pieter Knuvers and i have been testing this plugin thoroughly and i’m planning to release the Plugin in the next few days. Hopefully this will result in valuable input for more functionality to be added to the plugin. If anyone is  interested just leave a comment.
Update 22-07-2009: Waakzaam Wonen has made the interface available in their webshop

A few days ago i purchased a Visonic PowerMax+ security system and some accessories like a remote keypad, an additional sensor for the garage door and a XM10 interface.

Purchasing a security system seemed like a logical next step; after all; during the last 2-3 years i have regularly added new Visonic Sensors to my Domotica system. Outside doors, Windows are practically all monitored by Visonic sensors and i’ve also got Visonic motion sensors at the right places. I’m using a RFXCOM Visonic receiver to feed the information the Visonic sensors provide, into my Domotica system. This will stay that way, but having a Visonic PowerMax gives you some more opportunities. For example, now i can have the Visonic PowerMax ‘tell’ my Home Automation system when the PowerMax is entering armed state.

This could be used for several useful things, like switching off lights, TV, radio. Or lowering the setpoint of the central heating to 15-16 degrees. Or simulating the house being occupied by automatically switching on lights during the evenings.

Or what to think of automatically triggering the LoXX electronic door lock to lock the door for you…The same can be done when disarming the PowerMax; booting your PC since you probably want to check your email, turn on some lights in the livingroom when you’re coming home late, etc.