Re: Pro's of Home Link (archive)

Any of you guys use the home link system to turn off on lights / appliances etc? What are your opinions of how it works. Who should I buy the sys from? How much should I expect to pay? Where did you buy the lighting modules and how much? Any unique applications that you are using it for?

If you often come home to a dark house the home link feature can allow you to activate up to 3 circuits (it uses various switch modules to activate lamps, etc).

You need the "Vehicle interface" receiver which is only available from "Home Link" as the interface between you car and your house wiring, then you need a switch or module for each of the 3 circuits you want to control.
Or you can order from your BMW dealer (part number 82 11 0 006 660 - controls one circuit)

You can turn them on, and off again from the car.
But turning them off is not a normally required function - and since the interface alternately sends an on,then off, signal for each press of the button in the car it can be a bit confusing trying to turn stuff on (may have to hit twice).

If you just want this basic function - with a module to control 1 circuit then go the above ordering route.

But I would look at the X-10 line up first to see what all is avaiable.
http://www.x10.com/homepage.htm

Personally I run the "active home" software with 2 computer modules conrolling about 30 modules around the house so that many functions are automated.

The program provides "macros" which can control many functions is a sequence, and I use the car interface to activate a macro at times when we come home after the house has shut down for the night - macro turns on various lights, etc., including the rear security lights for 3 minutes).

System works well but can have hitches due to interference on power line circuits at times.

Cheers
Jim Cash

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