Vol. 22: Hacking R/C Power Outlets
Inexpensive wireless home automation.
Photos by Andrew Wedgbury
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+ Downloads & Extras:
+ Modified Bit Whacker firmware (.zip file)
To download this .zip file, right-click on links, and choose save or (on a Mac) hold down the option key and click on the links.
+ Application source code (.zip file)
To download this .zip file, right-click on links, and choose save or (on a Mac) hold down the option key and click on the links.
+ LINKS
Andrew Wedgbury's site
For updated versions of the software, check out the author's software page.
» MAKE: NOISE — Discuss this article
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- X10?
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Excellent hack, and some lovely reverse engineering, there. If I already had one of these lying around, this would be a great project.
If you're starting fresh with AC remote control, though, the X10 stuff is pretty inexpensive, has been around forever, and can address a ton of devices. For the cost of the Bit Whacker alone, you can get a transceiver/switch (TM751 or similar) and a PC RF interface (CM19A USB or CM17A serial). It looks like the easiest way to get the interface these days is by eBay (meh).
Some of the INSTEON hardware is X10-compatible, too, though I haven't tried it. And I can't speak for European compatibility; I'm a Statesian.
I'm definitely not trying to dissuade anyone from tearing into these systems themselves (which is awesome), but some of the existing PC-controllable automation hardware might provide a path of lesser resistance if the automation system is just a supporting technology for your real project.
Posted by shrapnel on May 10, 2010 at 10:57:53 Pacific Time
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