markbl@cbnewse.ATT.COM (mark.s.blumenthal) (01/20/90)
<<<if you don't read entire posting please read section V.>>> Answers to X-10 Home Control Questions: (and other neat stuff) --------------------------------------- I. INTERFACE >> question. Has anyone experienced any problems with getting the X-10 signal >> passed a sub-panel? I just moved into a new house that has an addition > I bridged the 220 line with a 1 uF cap (value >specified by X-10) and all is fine." **You can use the cap (may not conform to electrical codes your state) or use the Leviton #6299 Signal Bridge (with cover plate. flush mounts in wall). II. HARDWARE >I've seen some X10 drapery receivers - these will open or close a >drapery rod upon receipt of an on/off signal. **You need a drapery motor (Lightwood Mfg. 800/356-2580, or SM Automatic 800/ 533-5520) and an X10 #UM506 Universal Module ($24.95 list) or Radio Shack #61-2688 Sounder/Actuator ($18.95 list). Both units control dry contact or low voltage loads, and both are unavailable until spring. >I would also like to here about the other units. How are the infrared >motion detectors (I've seen the one from Zenith and assume it works with >the X-10 modules)? **The motion detector turns on it's own floods and then triggers your X-10 lamp to turn on. This X-10 code is preset for the Zenith, so you may have to change your lamp's unit/house code. The Radio Shack #61-2064 "Dual Flood Security System" allows you to choose controlling any and all of units 1 thru 4 (motion sensor mode) or units 5 thru 8 (dusk mode), any housecode. You can set the motion and dusk sensitivity, as well as how long the floods stay on. Zenith ~$79, Radio Shack ~$49. >> Radio Shack: #61-2685 Wall Outlet "remote outlet" >Radio Shack wall outlet I purchased, it's a 500-watt dimmer unit which >is suitable ONLY for use with incandescent lights. Motors and fluorescent **The wall outlet receptacle does NOT dim, and it CAN be used for motors, etc. >> Leviton "Decora Electronic Controls" devices: #6291 Wall Switch module >Does this switch module have the conventional switch actuator, or the >decorator switch actuator? I'd like to find the decorator version. **Decorator. >Has anybody had an experience with the G.E. Homeminder? I have only seen Yes it is X-10 compatible. For more info visit your local Egghead store and peek at the Homeminder's manual. GE does NOT support this product (produced in 1985 with a $600 price tag, now costs $89). There is a major problem with the video drivers going out. Buy at your own risk. III. X-10 SECURITY SYSTEM This supervised system regularly checks the doors and windows (16 zones) and it flags if the door/window wireless transmitter is malfunctioning or has a weak battery. Once you've installed the door/window magnetic sensors with wireless transmitter, simply plug in the 6"x4" wall bug main control. Next you go to each door/window sensor and press a button which "logs it in" to the base. The base assigns a random code (one of 256) and then beeps once. There is a handheld wireless alarm control. The base only throws 85 dbs, but the X-10 people promise a 105db siren in the spring. The base also acts as a receiver for the X-10 wireless transmitter (home control), and it receives ALL SIXTEEN unit codes. IV. SMART HOMES > The X10 devices work well, but don't provide a complete solution to home > control and security, since they are basically one-way devices. I'd > like to be able to control my whole house by polling sensors and then > responding to the sensor data. For example: ... > Motion: ... > Temperature: ... > Windows/Doors: > Perhaps the biggest problem with all of this is that it is hybrid - no > one system provides a complete solution. **Whole house systems (sample listing): Unity Systems Inc. Home Manager $6-15K Magic Mansions Inc. MM2000 $3 Hypertek Homebrain $8-15K Unity example: Zoned climate control; intelligent decisions based on time of day and which rooms are occupied; smart security (maid's front door touchpad security code only works on thursdays between 8am and noon, & house knows if she goes into unauthorized rooms); lawn sprinkler control based on preset schedule as well as ground moisture; in-the wall touchscreens with your home's floorplan--touch bedroom and it will zoom-in on bedroom floor- plan for scheduling, status, etc; lots more neat stuff. V. RUMOR If you haven't already heard, the "Home Automation Boom" is coming. That's why major players like Sony, Philips, Panasonic, General Instrument, AT&T, Texas Instruments, RCA, Mitsubishi, and Johnson Controls are involved with the CEBus Home Automation project. If you missed the "PC Boom" and the "Video Tape Rental Boom", then go for it!! Here's a hot tip... Electronic House Magazine ("The Journal of Home Automation") lists the following classified ad (one of 3 ads total) on page 32 of the Jan'90 issue: CASH IN on the home automation boom! Start your own business and earn big profits part-time or full-time. FREE Information Packet, send $2 postage and handling: Free Information Offer, P.O. Box 27983, San Diego, CA 92128 Good stuff. I recommend it. For those nieve X-10 hackers who don't get Electronic House, the number is 219/256-2060 (bi-monthly, $14.95/year). Another good one is Audio/Video Interiors (818/784-0700)--lots beautiful color photos of remote controlled mansions, automated dream homes, pop-out-of-the- floor TV systems, a/v media rooms, etc., controlled drapes, hidden speaker systems, skydomes, etc. A beautiful coffee-table magazine. Circuit Cellar Ink (203/875-2199) is a great hacker publication which often talks about home automation (bi-monthly, $14.95/year). _______________________________________________________________________________ Mark Blumenthal 30W 080 Glenhurst Ct. 708/393-3038 Warrenville, IL 60555