| Posted: Monday Feb 4th, 2019 12:46 am |
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david8811
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Dear Experts,
I would like to seek your advice on how I should approach my system upgrade and expansion plan. Below are my questions and would appreciate your views and suggestions :-
1) I am currently using Comfort 2 and keypad programming. Shall I invest in UCM Eth03, if I were to upgrade and integrate my system with Raspberry Pi, Home Assistant and Google Assistant?
2) One of my reasons of expanding my system to include Raspberry Pi is to allow the control of system devices ( non smart ) using voice commands via Google Assistant. Is this statement correct and justifiable? That also means voice control using Comfort is not possible?
3) The other reason of including Raspberry Pi is to include and allow Home Assistant functions as an overall server for system integration. Is this statement correct?
4) Is increasing the system Input and Output points is a good reason to include Raspberry Pi? Currently I have 24 inputs and only 8 outputs. There seems to limit me in adding additional field sensors. I am aware that I can do that by adding on Comfort LEM or SEM modules.
5) what is the main reason for Adding Raspberry Pi instead of Comfort LEM or SEM modules? Is it because Raspberry is a open source controller and it presents more flexibility in term of control customisation ?
Regards
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| Posted: Monday Feb 4th, 2019 01:14 pm |
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2nd Post |
John W
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| Joined: | Wednesday Feb 18th, 2009 |
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Hi David,
first off I'm not an expert, but I know a little.
I will do my best to answer what I can.
1)
If you are doing programming via the keypad then you definitely need to enter the 21st century and get a UCM and use Comfigurator. It is so much less painful.
If you intend to go with the Raspberry pi solution then i think you can just get a UCM/Pi. I believe you can connect to this like a regular UCM for configuring the system.
2) yes the UCM/Pi will allow you to connect Alexa or Google to it. This requires you to do a bit of visual programming using 'node red' to link voice commands to comfort, and other smart devices.
3) yes I think so, but I don't use Home Assistant.
4) This depends on whether you need the additional sensors to be alarm inputs or not. If yes then you need SEMs. If not, then you can use RIOs / IRIOs. I have both connected to my system, which control lights and trigger actions from sensors.
5) For me, it was to add voice control without the need to use Samsung Smart Things (ST). ST needs to communicate out to the internet in order to address the registered devices. The UCM/Pi allows local control, so even if my internet goes down I can still control stuff.
I can use alexa to command any comfort controlled device on/off, and also have both comfort and voice control over Z-wave devices, which have replaced all my x10 modules.
This is using a new UCM/Pi with a plugin pi module, and a bunch of code written by Matt Brain.
I do still use the comfort app on my tablet and phone too, but heading towards just using voice commands and the console the UCM/Pi gives via a web browser.
If you havent done already, send Matt a message and ask to join the UCM/Pi group. There are around 12 of us (~25 units shipped I think) playing about with this.
It is very powerful, but it is also a great time waster, trying to learn it all and then magic up ways to do what you want to. Plus you will invent a whole bunch more things you now need that you didnt previously ;-p
I hope thats been some help.Last edited on Wednesday Feb 6th, 2019 12:24 pm by John W
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| Posted: Monday Feb 4th, 2019 06:01 pm |
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mattbrain
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Hi David (and thanks John for replying so quickly).
I'm the developer of the UCM/Pi solution and it sounds like it would be a good fit for you.
In answer to your questions, and not wanting to repeat the excellent responses from John,
1.) The UCM/Pi is an alternative to the UCM/Eth3. It offers UCM/Eth3 emulation for everything aside from specialist functions such as IR learning or UCM->UCM firmware upgrading.
2.) As John suggested, we are using Node-Red as the programming environment to string actions and events together including using Alexa and Google Home. We also provide remote access and (about to be released) a secure way to programme comfort remotely.
3.) It is absolutely possible to install other software on the CM3, but support will be limited to the supplied software - you will be somewhat an explorer venturing into the unknown when using other components.
4.) The UCM/Pi supports virtual zones, so it is possible for devices outside of comfort to become contributors to the security model. For example, a Hue PIR can update the status of a Comfort Zone.
5.) The main goal of the UCM/Pi is to connect Comfort to all manner of IoT devices. If you haven't already, please take a look at the video posted describing the capabilities.
If you're interested in joining get the beta programme, please let me know via PM with your email address. We already have around 15 users (and a backlog of another 10 waiting on hardware) and an active community on slack and you'd be most welcome to join us,
Thanks,
Matt
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| Posted: Wednesday Feb 6th, 2019 01:49 am |
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david8811
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Dear John and Matt
Thank you for your excellent responses. Yes, I am excited and interested to join the beta program. I have sent a PM to Matt to include me in the program.
By the way, can you send me the link to the video you mentioned above.
RegardsLast edited on Wednesday Feb 6th, 2019 01:53 am by david8811
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| Posted: Thursday Apr 11th, 2019 01:33 pm |
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TheMax74
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UCM/Pi ?
This changes everything. Good job.
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| Posted: Friday Apr 12th, 2019 03:00 am |
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slychiu
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Yes maybe you can use this for your interface to viso?
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| Posted: Friday Apr 12th, 2019 06:41 am |
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TheMax74
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Yes, off course! I'll use this for all!
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