Community Project Help wanted

[tonyg]

Hi Guys,
      I'm a software guy and I am trying to create a first test bed for a system to help temperature control economy 7 systems for elderly folk in fuel poverty as part of a MSc in Newcastle University.
      I wondered onto this site looking for a PC USB servo interface to control two heating dials and came across the example used to control 2 radio dials with the design released under open source.
   Wow was my first thought as I realised it even had a linux api. Ow was my second as I started to realise I was going to have to build it myself. Unfortunately I have psoritic arthritus in my hands.
   1) Is there anywhere I can buy one of these?
   2) does anyone have one they do not use anymore ?
   The software project I have been doing should benefit the wider economy 7 heating community in energy saving / carbon savings and I would also offer a sincere thanks.

[ArcMan]

Controlling what I assume are thermostats with a servo actually turning a dial is very Rube Goldberg'ish and quite expensive.  Have you looked at other methods of control like programmable thermostats, etc.?

[jka]

Take a look at the X-10 system, which can control thermostats and lights. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X10_(industry_standard)

[tonyg]

Thanks for the replys.
It is a bit of a Rube Goldberg machine, but its sensible for its use
I did consider x10 as a medium but tbh wireless AVR controller seems better to me and cost still seems fairly low.
Can anyone recommend a good AVR wireless learning kit, I keep seeing these available but want to make an informed choice (But I know nothing  )

[Soeren]

Hi,

If you describe (photos are usually helpfull) the part you want to control it might help.
Do you know how the valve (I assume) are controlled mechanically?

As allways... The more info you bring, the better answers you'll be able to get.