In my years programming Crestron systems, I've had the opportunity to control some really fun and strange systems. I've controlled gas lanterns, fireplaces, music servers, you name it.

I'm finally starting to build a control system in my house and I'm thinking about adding in some of the really far-out type things to control. I'm having a hard time finding many fun things to control though! LG, for instance, has a washer/dryer that has 120v home wiring control panel extenders that let you start cycles from a remote location. I can't find anything about them on their website though.

Post the far-out things that you know about that have some form of IP or 232 control:

Refrigerator?
Washing Machine?
Clothes Dryer?
Dishwasher?
Tiki Torch?

-Jonathan

WeatherHawk weather stations are pretty cool control system add ons...

Ditto on the weather station; Peet Brothers in my case. Also, controlling the hot tub via the phone or IP, so its warmed up when I get home.

I'm thinking about a motorized machine gun mount to protect a gafitti (sp?) magnet structure on my property, but getting the Crestron module written to distinguish between taggers and homeowners is bit difficult so far.....

Samsung is coming out with a full line of products from dishwashers, washers, dryers, fridges, etc, that will all be controlled via RS232. Probably be shown at CEDIA. That had a real quick blurp on the Las Vegas Home Builders Expo.

Mike

I think I am more interested in the feedback and status than actual control... I would LOVE to see how much longer my clothes need to be in the dryer before I run back downstairs to put them on and run out of the house on a Friday night.
(I foresee the ultimate techno-bachelor pad!!)

LG and Samsung...
So Korea is leading the charge??

Check out this IP enabled thermostat. I'm waiting for the heat pump enabled version to come out later this year. Looks pretty cool.

[Link: proliphix.com]

A man-made 110' waterfall over a cliff in a residential back yard.

Barry,
One hundred and ten FEET!!!

PLEASE tell me you have photos to post!!

Let me guess, there're going to adopt the great control standards they use on their DLP TVs to washers and dryers, can't wait.

Also, what kind of pump was that that lifted that much water that high??
I take it is was a little bit more involved than a Little Giant pond pump...

Cool ideas! That sounds like an awfully big waterfall.

The status and feedback of, say, a fridge would certainly be more useful than any kind of control. I suppose I was assuming that all of these devices would have status feedback. Basically though, I could just prewire any old fridge with two thermistors; one in the fridge, one in the freezer and tie that into the control system.

What about putting one in an oven? Where might one find a sufficiently shielded and sensitive thermistor to handle upwards of 600 deg F?

I love the idea of monitoring a washer cycle..... that could probably add to the W.A.F, though I will ask for my wife's opinion on that :-)

And the IP thermostats, I'm going to look into that!

Haven't heard of one with IP or serial yet, but there is a microwave with ir control floating around out there.

Do I smell a slight hint of sarcasm there Gary?

No, we're idiots and never seem to have the time & forethought to get pictures. This was about 3 years ago.

I'd estimated the height from memory - asked the guys this morning how high they thought it was. Their estimates were from 75' to 200', so I think my 110' is a good conservative guess. It *is* the highest waterfall in South Dakota, man-made or otherwise.

The water is pumped all the way up the hill and cascaded down a sheer rock wall with great lighting at night. The "back yard" is all pretty unbelievable landscaping with a beautiful creek, bridge, mini-zoo & aviary included.

I don't have many details because the waterfall was existing and all we had to do was use our Crestron panel & Vantage keypads to control a 220vac contactor.

The big issue until we got involved was they would forget & leave the pump on and run the well dry. We gave them indicators all over & set up a timer in programming to stop burning dry pumps up.

A few years ago we did a house and we control the woman's steamshower & her towel warmers we used a 12v trigger for it ,if Im not mistake, but I don't truely recall. it may have been Via her lighting control via her Crestron. Just another strange device to add to the list.