Quote Originally Posted by Dizzle View Post
Hey,

I wanted to know if any of you guys have had any experience with home automation. Something like the products below:

http://www.smarthome.com/_/index.aspx

The reason I ask is that I would like to remotely turn on appliances, lights, A/C etc without having to actually be at home. I know some of you guys have camps/homes on various lakes and I wanted to know your opinions or suggestions as to what experiences you've had. Thanks for the info!!

Oh.. and btw.. GOOOO CATS!!!!
Sure, it is not too complicated if you are electricly inclined, but if you arent that could be a different story. As an electrical engineer, I have done many solutions like this in my industrial plant, but have never had the need to do at home. The basic principle behind this is to install remote relays on the electrical feeds to these devices, and by using the internet, or placing them on a timed circuit, control them how you like. Appliances would be more difficult than simply lights and A/C, because there is not a permanent 'on' switch as with lights or the A/C unit. If you would like me to try to explain this further for you feel free to send me a message.