Current Power?

[WillyC]

Anyone out there on or near Hokan Circle that can tell me if the power is out in that area?  I tried calling my cabin and the answering machine wont pick up - wanted to turn the heat on (X-10 works great).

Granted if you are on Hokan Circle and the power is out, you may not see this posting, so anyone with general knowledge on that neighborhood's power status is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Sandi]

Power is on at Muriettas Roost and Boards Crossing.
Sandi

[ebaker]

Anyone out there on or near Hokan Circle that can tell me if the power is out in that area?  I tried calling my cabin and the answering machine wont pick up - wanted to turn the heat on (X-10 works great).

I had the same problem (cabin on Walapar Lane).  Webcam wouldn't connect and answering machine did not pick up.  When I checked again about 11 AM all was OK.  I see our driveway has been plowed once so far.....

[Westlye]

Power is on at Yuroc however the roads have not been plowed since 5am.  Our deck now has a solid 2+' of snow and it's had been snow continuously since 5am . 

[WillyC]

Thanks to all.  The power is now back on.

[thethreebears]

Interested in Willy C's comments regarding turning heat on remotely. Can you share details/system information to accomplish/set up?

Thanks,

[stepwill47]

Regarding call-in thermostats. There are a few on the market. We use one by Totaline (which I think is owned by Carrier). The higher end ones have the ability to accept a small wireless receiver which plugs into the bottom of the thermostat, and a transmitter which sits between any telephone jack and your answering machine.

You set these up in advance for the temperature you want for "Energy Savings" (say 45 degrees F) and for "Comfort Settings (say 68 degrees F). then you call in, enter a code and set one or other. The nice thing about these is that if you hold a low temp while you are away, you can call up in advance and your cabin will be nice and toasty when you arrive. But you need the power yo be on, of course. I got my system at www. prothermostats.com .

I believe Honeywell has a very similar system, but I not yet found a truly web-enabled system (anyone know of one?)

Good luck. //Steve

[WillyC]

I use X-10 (see x-10.com).  It's a home automation solution that I use at the cabin and the house in San Jose.  Really good for the cabin so I can program the lights and turn things on remotely.  Basically I bought the phone module and some appliance plug modules that the heaters plug into.  I phone the cabin, enter in a code, and then use the phone keypad to do on/of commands.  Do note that the system runs its signals via the power lines in your house at a certain frequency, so if you have cetain types of motors (fans) or any flourencent lights running at the same type, those types of items create 'noise' in the lines and can interfer with the X-10 signals.

I also have a X-10 program o nthe PC at the cabin that can talk to other X-10 items (lamp modules) that automatically turn lights on and off so it looks like someone is home.  It is kind of fun to set up (like grown up tinker-toys), but can get expensice depending on how maky modules you want.  X-10 is also sold on certain e-bay stores and they sometimes have good prices on grouped items.

Hope this helps.

[jibwaylarry]

We too have the X-10 system. Ours is only used to turn on the forced air gas furnace, which we activate from home 3 hours before arrival at the cabin. Totally reliable for 6 years now. I had planned to add the ceiling fan to the system, and maybe some lights, but never got around to it.
Larry

[Murr]

I use the Aube Technologies CT240 telephone controller and compatible Aube thermostat (many to choose from).

http://www.aubetech.com/products/produitsDetails.php?noProduit=45&noLangue=2

A very inexpensive and reliable solution for us. You can find the Aube controller and thermostats on smarthome.com

[cadfactor]

Don't know why this thread is in the Riddles topic but...

Lots of great remote thermostat info in this thread:

/home/forum?topic=965.0