dcj@sun.uucp (Don Jackson) (05/08/88)
I'm moving to a new place, and I want to expand my X10 control capabilities. Does anyone out there have some good ideas for how to control the following: 1) Lawn Sprinklers. The current setup is 6 manually controlled valves. I would like to replace the manual valves with some electronically controlled valves. While at the hardware store I saw some valves that will do the trick. Apparently they are controlled by a timer, and either 12 or 24 volts DC. Is there some sort of X10 module I use to controll these valves? 2) Thermostat. The X10 thermostat controller doesn't look too smart. Is there a better one? My current house has an electronic thermostat, but the user interface is a real pain, and it doesn't tie into the X10 system at all. If you have some ideas or experience with similar problems, I'd love to hear from you. Don Jackson dcj@sun.con
milazzo@titan.rice.edu (Paul Milazzo) (05/09/88)
In article <52412@sun.uucp> dcj@sun.uucp (Don Jackson) asks about
a BSR X10 interface for his sprinkler system; so far he has found only
valves activated by low-voltage DC, inappropriate for the X10 system.
I recently picked up two 120 VAC water valves at an electronics surplus
store. The valves are labelled "DELTROL CONTROLS / MILWAUKEE WIS" on
one side, and what looks like "DSV-10" on the other. The solenoid is
marked "120 VAC HZ 50/60 30 WATTS".
These valves should work well with BSR appliance modules. They have
exposed electrical contacts, so they must be properly housed. They
also make a loud "THWOCK!" noise as they switch, but that's fine; I
only paid $4/each for them...
Like Don, I'm also interested in a better BSR thermostat control. Any
ideas?
Paul G. Milazzo <milazzo@rice.EDU>
Dept. of Computer Science
Rice University, Houston, TXalw@eddie.MIT.EDU (Alan Wu) (05/14/88)
Easiest way to control low-voltage solenoid valves (6/12/24V) from X10 is to plug a small stepdown transformer into an X10 appliance module. What is needed is a small plug-in transformer (similar to those abandoned by the phone company when incandescent-lit phones get phased out) or purchasable from various parts stores. It's simple and safe. -- --Alan Wu Usenet: alw@mit-eddie / Internet: alw@eddie.mit.edu Telephone: (617) 253-5624
todd@uop.edu (Dr. Nethack) (05/18/88)
In article <679@thalia.rice.edu>, milazzo@titan.rice.edu (Paul Milazzo) writes: > In article <52412@sun.uucp> dcj@sun.uucp (Don Jackson) asks about > a BSR X10 interface for his sprinkler system; so far he has found only > valves activated by low-voltage DC, inappropriate for the X10 system. > The solenoid is > marked "120 VAC HZ 50/60 30 WATTS". > These valves should work well with BSR appliance modules. And work well for your mortician! Look, I have worked with electric sprinkler devices, and repaired them. There is a reason they are low voltage...SAFETY!! And moreover, they are all low voltage A.C. not D.C. The transformers don't rectify the power, they just knock it down. The *advantage* of low voltage stuff: It is everywhere. It is easy to maintain. It is cheap. If you really want to run it with your X-10, (much more expensive than say a Richdel (tm) system) Then get the low voltage valves and such and rig the valves with a transformer of their own, one to a valve, and switch 110 into the xfmr. and that will SAFELY trip the valves. But that is a waste of money! You can get valves and excellant timers (mechanical and digital) to run your system, with all kinds of programs for MUCH LESS money than what you are trying to do. If you are obsessed with your X-10 doing everything, then go blow your money, (and maybe your life) with full 110 gear, but I hardly find it worth it, just to find something else for your X-10 to do! "The sum of the intelligence of the world is constant, The population is growing." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- + uop!todd@uunet.uu.net + + cogent!uop!todd@lll-winken.arpa + + {backbone}!ucbvax!ucdavis!uop!todd + -----------------------------------------------------------------------