Cheap and Easy Automatic 4-zone Sprinkler System

Orbit 1 dial 4 outlet timer is great and only costs about $60. So easy to setup and the price sure beats the alternative of digging trenches to install expensive irrigation systems. You can buy one here at www.smarthome.com
  • Connects to an existing outdoor water faucet (10 to 80 psi)
  • Allows four timed watering from up to four outlets
  • Up to 3 start times per day with customizable run times from 1 to 240 mins
  • One dial controls all programming
  • Digital LCD display screen

You don’t need to dig up your yard and have a costly, professional irrigation system installed to get your lawn, plants and trees the water they need. This Orbit 1-dial 4-outlet Hose Faucet Yard Watering System with Digital Timer will have you on the way to maintaining your yard in just minutes. The manifold attaches to your outdoor faucet and will allow distribution of water to four independent stations (or zones), just attach four garden hoses with sprinkler heads (sold separately). The digital timer features a large LCD display screen that is controlled by a simple turn dial and two pairs of buttons. You can program up to three start times per day, each with a customizable run time that you specify from one minute to 240 minutes. Additionally, you can help to conserve water by delaying the watering cycles when it rains; at the press of a button the delay can be set to 24, 48 or 72 hours. The 1-dial 4-outlet Hose Faucet Yard Watering System with Digital Timer sets up quickly and will have you maintaining a yard with beautiful, lush greenery in no time at all. This product requires the use of two “AA” alkaline batteries, sold separately

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Lights Controlled by Garage Door Opener.

Chamberlain CLLAD Security+ Plug-In Light Control

Wish you could give your garage door opener a couple more buttons? Just plug in the $15 Chamberlain® Remote Light Control! It plugs into any wall outlet and automatically “learns” the code(s) your garage door opener control transmits. Put your old garage remote away for safe keeping. Then you can simply use the Chamberlain remote and push the appropriate button and the door will open. Push a different button and maybe the driveway lights will turn on. Push the third button and the garage lights turn on or off. It’s all up to you. Installation is very easy!

-Can be used with any lighting fixture that utilizes incandescent light bulbs, up to 600 Watts maximum
-Great for TVs, radio, fans, and other small appliances
-Ideal for operating holiday lights and decorations from inside your car or home

Here’s where you can buy one for CHEAP!

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Sanus iPad Leveling App and Case is Darn Cool, and Free at CES

By Sanus Systems has a pretty cool implementation that installers will appreciate.

You know how sometimes you mount a TV straight — technically — but it looks crooked because the fireplace mantle below it is slightly tilted?

The Sanus app lets you calibrate the level against the mantle, so the TV looks straight. In another nice twist, Sanus has a new iPad case with a flip out piece that sits on top of the TV. You can then use both hands to adjust your mount just right.

Sanus, of course, sure hopes you use it with their own mounts.

During the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2011), Sanus is giving the iPad case away for free. Visit the Sanus and Chief booths in the Central hall of the LVCC. If you miss them at the show, just give them a buzz afterwards and they’ll send one to you if you’re an installer or reseller.

Posted in Cool Gadgets, Motorized TV Mounts, iPad and iPhone Automation | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

RS232 cable for the iphone!

redpark skywire rs232 iphone cable

skywire's rs232 iphone cable

By Julie Jacobson
December 28, 2010

Getting serial commands to and from iPhones, iPads and other iOS devices isn’t terribly new. The trouble is that most existing solutions require users to jailbreak the device.

Not so with Redpark Development Development, whose serial cables were created under Apple’s “Made for iPod” program.

The company explains that its just-released cables and companion iOS apps are ideal for serial devices such as point-of-sale kiosks, scientific instrumentation, industrial process control equipment, networking equipment, and devices used in home and office automation.

We imagine it could be useful for product diagnostics — for example a university full of RS-232-enabled projectors that are not tied into a campus-wide network.

In order to comply with Made for iPod policies each cable will be engineered for a specific purpose, says Redpark president Mike Ridenhour.

The first cable to be released is Southern Stars SkyWire ($79). The cable connects an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to an RS-232-controlled telescope. Used with the SkySafari astronomy app, SkyWire lets users automatically direct a telescope to any star, planet or other galactic object.

Redpark is working with iOS app developers that have a need for serial connectivity for a specific purpose.

“We will need to work in conjunction with each app developer to get their app working with a cable and to complete the necessary approval processes,” Ridenhour says.

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HDMI over IP!

Just Add Power allows you to create a flexible HDMI matrix solution with IR using encoder/decoder boxes and multicast vlans on a network switch and single CAT5/6/7 cable. Great for distributed video, digital signage, commercial applications and more. Check out their website at www.justaddpower.com . Video courtesy of “thecodeman” of The SOHO Shop.

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Carlon HS4730D no wiring cheapo alarm system.

Remote control alarm with motion control.

This is a VERY cheap option for alarming something. For $21 you get a pretty cool unit here. It even comes with batteries.

The Carlon HS4370D runs off two AA batteries so you can basically alarm anything without running wires.

Here’s a few ideas to get your started:

1) Mount it to the wall of your house just inside your front door and use it like a house alarm.

2) Throw it on the couch and wait for Jimmy to come into the living room… the infrared sensor sees him and the siren scares the bejesus out of him.

3) You could put it in on the floor of your Continue reading

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Hide your theater components with an infrared repeater.

In this video iAutomate.com demonstrates how to test and install an infrared repeater kit for your home theater.. Also called an IR Repeater, repeats IR Commands from your infrared remote control to components. Our Infrared Repeater kit now includes a special micro-ceramic filter that blocks virtually all interference from Flat Panel Televisions.

Check out their website for purchasing a kit.

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Control4′s 200 series home automation controller.

Here’s a little review that gives you a great look at Control4′s 200 series controller. Sometimes it’s just nice to see the inputs and outputs and have someone explain how it works.

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Finally some decent speakers for your garden.

Speakers that look like mushrooms

Dont eat me! Listen to me loudly.

Garden beats! These speakers can handle weather and your favorite dubstep track. The photo shows one blending in like a happy mushroom house for munchkins. They are also listed in “Cepro’s Top Products of 2010″ right along side of the iPad.

Cepro said, “Ambisonic’s Outdoor Audio System delivers an audiophile experience to a category that previously has never been associated with critical listening.

I heard the system at CEDIA Expo 2010 and was surprised by the system’s airiness and smoothness. The best part, beyond sound quality, is that installers can blend this into a landscape environment without the products looking out of place. Sonance distributes Ambisonic to the custom installation market.”

www.ambisonicsystems.com

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Wireless Remote Control Switch For Home Appliance Lamp

Need to turn on the Christmas lights, fish tank lights, water pump, outdoor light, alarm, heater but don’t want to get up? Just plug it into this wireless outlet and press the button on the supplied remote.

This particular version is up for action for under $14. That’s cheap! These can often be controlled by an automation system if you end up going down that road someday, too.

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