Iphone "turn on/off lights"

tedward1555 · 03-04-2010, 08:26 AM

Has anyone tried the new Iphone app that lets you turn on and off lights at your house from anywhere via the Iphone? I have done some research and understand that it requires investment in other hardware/software and it's not cheap... But my neighborhood has had some break in problems and the ability to change out which lights are on and off at a give time of day sounds like a great way to make a house look lived in. I probably will make the investment and give it a try. But was wondering if anyone here has already tried it.
Thanks
Ed

FlyingDiver · 03-04-2010, 08:50 AM

I haven't tried it, but am interested in your results if you do. What controller are you looking at? I seem to recall that there's one for the Insteon systems, which will also control X10 devices.

For those not familiar with this, there are three components needed (minimum). You need the actual controller, the software that runs on the iPhone which "talks" to the controller, and the plug-in modules that actually switch the lights on/off.

I have a box full of modules in our storage unit from our last stick house that I'll probably reuse someday. I sold the controller I was using on eBay, because it wasn't networkable and the only way to program it was with a Windows application and a serial cable. The next one I get will have an ethernet connection for control.

joe

SCVJeff · 03-04-2010, 06:48 PM

I have had an X10 on every external light, all hall lights, wall units, fish tank lights and chillers for the last 20+ years, and they just sit there and run with a scheduler in the background. I saw that commercial too and started looking at the hardware a little just because it's cool. Somehow, either through a PC that stays on (I won't do that), or a hardware device, you need a server that plugs into the internet, and either talks to the Insteon or X-10 interface. What I don't know is how the web client (iPhone) knows the routing back to your control system.