[sci.electronics] PC attached X-10 controller availability

corey@verdix.com (Corey Ashford) (10/03/90)

Several years ago, Egghead software carried a little unit that attached to
the serial port of a PC and plugged into a wall outlet along with some
software that interfaced to it.  The unit would, after loading it with a
schedule, control X-10 equipped appliances autonomously (without PC assistance).

When I finally decided to buy one, they no longer carried them ('figures :-).
Does anyone know if they are still available, and if so, from whom?

If I were still a hack, I'd dig up the info on the protocol and electrical
specs, and build a microcontroller based one...  but I'd rather just buy one.

Thanks in advance

- Corey

gyugyi@portia.Stanford.EDU (Paul Gyugyi) (10/03/90)

You can find the X10 PC controller at Fry's Electronics in Palo Alto
and Freemont and Sunnyvale, California (the bay area).  The cost is about
$25.00.  Email me if youwant me to pick one up for you and mail it.
Paul Gyugyi
gyugyi@rascals.stanford.edu

rbrink@hubcap.clemson.edu (Rick Brink) (10/04/90)

From article <1152@verdix.verdix.com>, by corey@verdix.com (Corey Ashford):
> Several years ago, Egghead software carried a little unit that attached to
> the serial port of a PC and plugged into a wall outlet along with some
> software that interfaced to it.  The unit would, after loading it with a
> schedule, control X-10 equipped appliances autonomously (without PC assistance).
     HeathKit, and probably others also sell a box with it's own programable
memory.  You can select regualar programs to repeat weekly for a variety
of addresses.  Better than random boxes that have your lights going on at   
4:00 am, and the TV at 4:15.  There is a battery backup inside, so power
outages only stop the current light setting.  When the power returns, the
sequence resumes where it should be.