@integlikewhoa said:

I blame UI7 and have no idea why people use it. So many problems and I haven't found one advantage or UI5 yet.

I bought a new VERA (First one) and it was set to UI7.... I guess the big deal is to get the auto update flag turned off by support and then resetup with UI5. Sounds like support is taking their time. I'll try and see if a chat button magically appears during their working hours and downgrade myself. It works for what I'm using so far, but haven't added the MySensors. Definitely don't want to have to deal with a mess there.

@5546dug You can find more info here: http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,26766.0.html

Looks like you were a very good boy this year! I finally received enough of my stuff to begin playing a bit. So far, it's great! Haven't finished the gateway yet but I've had some questions. How does one use a resistor or capacitor on a breadboard? Is there a proper way to connect it? Also the Ethernet module I order from the hardware list came in but was labeled differently than the instructions for the gateway... I'm on my phone now but will post an image shortly of the labeling. I just want to make sure it's hooked up right before I get too far.

Here are the pics...

@hek That's a great question and one that I was wondering also....

@soward Yes, I am in Kentucky.... Located in a tri-state area with Ohio and West Virginia close by.

The hakko 888D looks interesting. Suddenly it appears there are a lot of choices. My assumption is to make sure that it's adjustable and things will work out ok.

I definitely wanted to go the Ethernet gateway model as it just made more sense to me. Probably moreso in my comfort zone. Glad to hear it's working okay for you...

I also have UI7 which I have seen good and bad with so far. I have a few X10 devices and would really like to be able to use them through Vera, but at this time the MochaD plugin isn't working properly with UI7. As far as this library, it looks like it is working ok.

Thanks for the advice @Nuubi and @bjornhallberg ! As far as budget, I don't really know. I guess I know I've tried with the cheap ones before (many years ago now) and it always seemed like if you weren't experienced already then it was a bit more difficult. Perhaps looking for a used Weller is the route to go... I'll look for the one @bjornhallberg mentioned also just in case. Never know, maybe Amazon will have a good deal!

@Nuubi I got the 10PCS IC DS18B20 TO-92 DALLAS for temperature but did not get any of the humidity sensors. After going back and forth with several of the sellers trying to bundle where I could to save on shipping it was about $170 or so. Found the Fluke on a local Facebook group for $20 new (still had plastic over LCD). Hardest part was going back and forth trying to decide what to get and making sure that shipping wasn't making it cost more when it didn't have to.

Any suggestions on a good soldering iron?

Hello all! I am for the most part an IT Guy that has worked with computers (hardware and software) for more years than I care to admit. I currently teach various CIT courses at a college and adjunct at a couple of other schools. I can program some (more of a hack than coder) and generally am technologically minded. Most of my work has been in ways that I have avoided anything this small including soldering. I have used X10 for a number of years and started using ZWave when I came across this project. I've ordered a bunch of materials using the build sheets and plan on becoming active, but could use advice. What have I not bought (did my best to see everything), what type of soldering irons would be best for a beginner (I know cheaper isn't better) and what advice would you give? I've been reading a lot on the forums here but just wanted to try and personalize everything a bit more for myself.

In short order, I have bought a Fluke 110, a Vera to control my Z-Wave items, a storage container for all of these small parts and the following from slow boats from China it seems:

UNO R3 ATmega328P ATmega16U2 2012 Version Board & Free USB Cable for Arduino
2 Mini USB Nano V3.0 ATmega328P 5V 16M Micro-controller Board FT232RL For Arduino
10Pcs New Pro Mini atmega328 5V 16M Replace ATmega128 Arduino Compatible Nano
5PCS DC 5V to 3.3V Step-Down Power Supply AMS1117 RF Wireless module MCU Board
100pcs 3mm Round LED Light Bulb Emitting Diode Lamp - Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue and Green
Ethernet Shield W5100 For Arduino Main Board 2009 UNO ATMega 328 1280 MEGA2560
NRF24L01+PA+LNA SMA Antenna Wireless Transceiver communication module 2.4G S9
IIC/I2C/TWI 1602 Serial Blue Backlight LCD Display For Arduino
FTDI Basic Breakout USB-TTL 6 PIN 3.3/5V With Free USB Cable For Arduino
MB102 830 Point Solderless PCB Breadboard+65pcs Jump Cable Wires+Power Supply HO
100pcs 4X7mm Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment64 values 
1280pcs 1 ohm - 10M ohm 1/4W Metal Film Resistors Assortment Kit
TOP Mini W5100 LAN Ethernet Shield Network Module board for Arduino Best
DS3231 AT24C32 IIC module precision Real time clock module memory module Arduino
5 pcs Adjust IR Pyroelectric Infrared IR PIR Motion Sensor Detector Module HC-SR501
10PCS Arduino NRF24L01+ 2.4GHz Wireless RF Transceiver Module New
40PCS Dupont Wire Color Jumper Cabl 1P-1P 2.54mm Male to Male 20cm TW
40PCS 20cm Dupont Wire Color Jumper Cable 2.54mm 1P-1P Male to Female New
20pcs, PushButton SPST Momentary Normal OFF N/O Push Switch Red Cap Push to Make
5pcs SYB-170 Mini Breadboard Colorful Breadboard Small Plates
10PCS IC DS18B20 TO-92 DALLAS NEW GOOD QUALITY DATE CODE: 12+
200pcs 10cm 2.54mm 1pin Female to Female jumper wire Dupont cable for Arduino

From what I have ordered, I would like to build some motion sensors, temperature readers, an ethernet gateway for my Vera, etc. I know one glaring item missing is how to power everything....

Any help is appreciated and welcomed!

@idefix that would be awesome!! I'm still waiting on materials to come in from Chinabut building what I can until then.

@idefix said:

@shawn_ky said:

Would love to see if anyone has made a motion printable...

you mean a motion sensor casing?

Yes... The casing...

Would love to see if anyone has made a motion printable...