Home Automation with B4A/B4J

thedesolatesoul · Feb 16, 2014

Just posting here to gather some ideas.
Has anyone used B4A/B4J for home automation?
Using Adruino/RasPi/PC etc?
Would be nice to get some setups.

I have some ideas, but I am seeing most of the Wifi or 433MHz switches and sensors are rather expensive for my tastes. I like Nest (again too expensive), but I am sure I can build something that looks good and not so expensive.
So exactly what do you automate and how?

giga · Feb 16, 2014

Expensive Yes, I agree. I have been looking into this for the past 2 years. The devices seem to be where the expense is . Also most devices have proprietary software. Have you looked at zigbee. I have not given up yet. Also There is a zigbee4java but others have said it needs ALOT of tweaking.

https://github.com/tlaukkan/zigbee4java

https://www.zigbee.org/

thedesolatesoul · Feb 16, 2014

So far I have looked at WigWag, NinjaBlocks, Belkin WeMo and a couple of others.
Zigbee hasnt interested me yet as I have not see the advantages or even comparison. In fact I dont think it is freely available in the UK yet.
I am less worried about software libraries available and more about compatibility and interference issues.

At the moment my idea of automating things: Thermostat, Blinds, Switches, Lights.

JakeBullet70 · Feb 17, 2014

I have dabbled on and off for years in HA.
Here is what I have found:

Hardware - people have a combination of technologies. X-10 and INSTEON mostly because they are cheap and do work. ZigBee and z-wave. too much money for the DIY guys.

Software - There is a bunch, both free and paid for Windows and Linux. What I have found though is to make sure the front end is web based so it does not matter on what client-controllers you use.

Controllers: Touch screens, Your phone, voice and old fashion remotes.

I am getting ready to install HA again in my sons home. I am using my eHome for a front end and am researching server software now.

Erel · Feb 17, 2014

You can use a RasPi board with a B4J server app as the brain. This will make it easy to communicate with locally or remotely and from any device you like.

thedesolatesoul · Feb 17, 2014

Rick Harris said:
Have you tried the "Co Co" products? In Holland they are cheap and widely sold under the name "Klik Aan Klik Uit".
I have many devices in my home that I can control via my PC (and indirectly via my Android), using their TPC-300 USB box. The only thing they haven't got (yet) is a thermostat:
http://www.klikaanklikuit.nl/

Some of these products are indeed cheaper, I will look into them, thank you.
The only thing seems that european sockets are different from uk ones! They dont seem to ship internationally.

JakeBullet70 said:
I have dabbled on and off for years in HA.
Here is what I have found:

Hardware - people have a combination of technologies. X-10 and INSTEON mostly because they are cheap and do work. ZigBee and z-wave. too much money for the DIY guys.

Software - There is a bunch, both free and paid for Windows and Linux. What I have found though is to make sure the front end is web based so it does not matter on what client-controllers you use.

Controllers: Touch screens, Your phone, voice and old fashion remotes.

I am getting ready to install HA again in my sons home. I am using my eHome for a front end and am researching server software now.

I have to say you have done a MASSIVE amount of work on this!! Really impressive!!
In fact I had similar vision of doing what you are doing, but you have gone quite far.
I would like to know what you are using to control lighting and other things.
For the server you can still use B4J to write it, unless you have something else in mind.

Erel said:
You can use a RasPi board with a B4J server app as the brain. This will make it easy to communicate with locally or remotely and from any device you like.

This is a good idea. I just need to find what modules I can link with the RasPi.

Also to add another system I saw today: http://getpiper.com/ . Though again a bit pricey and less DIY.

JakeBullet70 · Feb 17, 2014

I would like to know what you are using to control lighting and other things.

I originally used PowerHome. Will do about anything you can ask for. Learning curve is heavy.
This time around though I am looking for something easier.

I just looked at. OSA and OpenRemote. Not really any easier then PowerHome though but free.

If you are just using X-10 a easy way is EventGhost. Take a look at this to really see what it can do.

This is a good idea. I just need to find what modules I can link with the RasPi.

This is a good idea but you then need to find a linux modules to interface to lighting and such.
So you need at least X-10 and INSTEON etc... Lots of work there.
Maybe borrow some code from MisterHouse?

I am not quite sure what direction I am going this time but am willing to share.
A link to my eHome documentation that I have just started. I will be posting here.

FYI
2014 Software HA reviews

thedesolatesoul · Feb 17, 2014

This is what I was asking which protocol you are using?
This even has the z-wave stack: http://razberry.z-wave.me/
While I heard z-wave is expensive, Insteon seems to be just as expensive in the UK, though it is powerline like X10.

This is an interesting comparison: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgHb6Gq4ol2CcHEyUzhmdnUySlhFdjFOZTlUSVFoZEE&hl=en#gid=0

Eventghost looks extremely intersting!

JakeBullet70 · Feb 18, 2014

X-10.

Great comparison on googles docs.

JakeBullet70 · Feb 21, 2014

FYI
Z-Stick z-wave controller, $59
That is the cheapest I have ever seen for a controller.

Peter Simpson · Mar 19, 2014

I've been looking into doing something with my Pi B for ages. If I had an electric garage door I would probably do something with that via my phone, but I don't have an electric garage door lol.

Yep I want to create something using the Pi's GPIO interface, but what?

I've already got the bigger brother of the following link, but what should i do with it using B4J???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200953088972?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

JakeBullet70 · Mar 19, 2014

I always wanted to do something for curtains or blinds.

Beja · Mar 20, 2014

So many cheap to earth hardware devices in the (market).. if you use the PC then everything is cheap and also easy to work with.
a small 9600, 800 meter range, with RS232/RS485 interface data xceiver costs about $6. it comes with drivers for all versions of Windows.
Then there are cheap i/o boards with 8-bit output, 8-bit digital inputs and a few analog input and output channels, for the same price,
but you need to have a friend in China to send them to you.. on alibaba.com they are more expensive.
I am planning to go to China this summer and will make an I/O board especially for B4A.

JakeBullet70 · Mar 20, 2014

Very cool Beja, would really love to see more hardware related things to go with B4A, B4J. Its amazing how many mobile phones are thrown away and they are really ARM computers just waiting to be used.

Please Beja, keep us informed on your trip.

Beja · Mar 20, 2014

Please Beja, keep us informed on your trip.

absolutely Jakebullet70, I will do. just imagine a 2-inch ARM module with embedded Android.

JakeBullet70 · Mar 20, 2014

Just found a new home automation project for the raspberry PI. Check it out
Looks pretty nice and will have a plugin API system.
Hope'n B4J can be used...

JakeBullet70 · Mar 20, 2014

JakeBullet70 said:
Just found a new home automation project for the raspberry PI. Check it out
Looks pretty nice and will have a plugin API system.
Hope'n B4J can be used...

Looks like it's c#

stari · Mar 20, 2014

Erel said:
You can use a RasPi board with a B4J server app as the brain. This will make it easy to communicate with locally or remotely and from any device you like.

Yes, Erel, thanks for B4J. I have made home automation with NetDuino, Micro Framework. But with B4J server on RasPi - i just started with this project.

Erel · Apr 17, 2014

Check this example: http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/th...aspberry-pi-server-example.39992/#post-238405

IslamQabel · Apr 19, 2014

I have some Apps by B4A that you can control your home devices locally and remotely.....(B4A/B4A)
Unfortunately, i can not design any Apps using B4J......so i need your suggestions....Can i use B4J also? i am programming with C compiler for Micro-controllers and recently, i am programming with B4A......so if i added B4J......do you think that will make my brain confused????

Home Automation with B4A/B4J

Expert

Well-Known Member

Expert

Well-Known Member

B4X founder

Expert

Well-Known Member

Expert

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Expert

Well-Known Member

Expert

Well-Known Member

Expert

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

B4X founder

Active Member

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency