root@conexch.UUCP (Larry Dighera) (12/27/87)
In article <1530@zodiac.UUCP> jshelton@ADS.ARPA (John L. Shelton) writes: > >Can anyone refer me to published information about the X-10 remote >control standard? I'd be interested in any of the following: > >1. Description of the protocol >2. Hobbyist articles describing construction projects >3. Reviews of manufactured X-10 devices. > >Thanks. > >=John= John: You'll find the the following articles of interest in understanding the X10 remote control system: 1. Computerize a Home, Steve Ciarcia, Byte Magazine Jan. '80 Good overall description of how the X10 works 2. An 8080-Based Remote Appliance Controller, David C Staehlin Byte magazine Jan. '82 3. Plug-in Remote Control System, Steven A. Ciarcia, Radio-Electronics Magazine Sept. '80 Reference three is the "definitive work" on X10 operation. It contains complete schematics and a description of the control codes. DAC Industries Inc. (800-325-0800) used to offer an X10 controller that could be driven by a computer system via an RS232C interface. Called The X10 Powerhouse, it provides the capability of controlling 256 remote modules. The cost was about $25/each. There is a terrific program in the public domain written by Larry Campbell, that will drive the "Powerhouse" from a Unix system. Leviton Manufacturing Co, Inc 59-25 Little Neck Pkwy, Little Neck, NY 11632 markets industrial quality X10 compatible components. I have installed these in multi-story office buildings for controlling lighting, environmental control, as well as large (10-50 HP) circulating pumps and chillers. Overall, I have found the X10 system to be very reliable and superisingly simple to use. You can reach the manufacturer at: X10 (USA) Inc, 185A Legrand Avenue, Northvale, NJ 07647. Best Regards, Larry Dighera -- USPS: The Consultants' Exchange, PO Box 12100, Santa Ana, CA 92712 TELE: (714) 842-6348: BBS (N81); (714) 842-5851: Xenix guest account (E71) UUCP: conexch Any ACU 2400 17148425851 ogin:-""-ogin:-""-ogin: nuucp UUCP: ...!ucbvax!ucivax!mickey!conexch!root || ...!trwrb!ucla-an!conexch!root
alw@eddie.MIT.EDU (Alan Wu) (12/31/87)
In article <171@conexch.UUCP> root@conexch.UUCP (Larry Dighera) writes: >In article <1530@zodiac.UUCP> jshelton@ADS.ARPA (John L. Shelton) writes: >> >>Can anyone refer me to published information about the X-10 remote >>control standard? I'd be interested in any of the following: >> >>1. Description of the protocol >>2. Hobbyist articles describing construction projects >>3. Reviews of manufactured X-10 devices. >> >DAC Industries Inc. (800-325-0800) used to offer an X10 controller that >could be driven by a computer system via an RS232C interface. Called >The X10 Powerhouse, it provides the capability of controlling 256 remote >modules. The cost was about $25/each. It's called the CP290, and it's still available from Heathkit and many other places. X-10 Inc. offers software for the IBM PC, Commodore 64/128, Apple II, and the Mac. Radio Shack used to offer their version with TRS-80 Color Computer software, but I think they're closing it out. The regular X10 labeled version also includes a programmer's manual describing the raw bits and bytes and what they do, so you can write your own program. The CP290 can download and upload via an RS232 port, and can run independently so it doesn't tie up your computer. It has battery backup with a 9V alkaline keeping its memory and time going for up to 30 hours. The CP290 is much better than the other RS232 X10 interface also sold by Heathkit (GD-1530, $100) which is pretty obsolete since it ties up your computer. Heathkit is currently pushing their X10-compatible "Smarthome I", (GD-3800), which is a kit version of the system made by CyberLynx. KBJ (see later) had an article about the Smarthome system, which has fancier software than the CP290 and can also accept contact closure inputs from alarms and whatever, but also costs a lot more ($400 just for the basic controller and software, plus another $300 for the optional GD-3880 Alarm Center accessory). In comparison, the current Heathkit catalog lists the BC-290-A, -M , and -P (for the Apple II, Mac, and IBM PC respectively) at $39 including both hardware and software. BTW, I think the term "X-10 Powerhouse" refers to the entire line of equipment sold by X-10 (USA) Inc., formerly BSR X-10. >There is a terrific program in the public domain written by Larry Campbell, >that will drive the "Powerhouse" from a Unix system. Sounds interesting. What's it called, and where can I get it from? >Leviton Manufacturing Co, Inc 59-25 Little Neck Pkwy, Little Neck, NY 11632 >markets industrial quality X10 compatible components. I have installed >these in multi-story office buildings for controlling lighting, environmental >control, as well as large (10-50 HP) circulating pumps and chillers. Where do you buy the Leviton versions from? What do they offer beyond the consumer versions, and do they work well? I once saw the Leviton wall-switch version which could be used to control fluorescent lights (standard X10 wall switches can't, due to their dimmer feature which is incompatible with fluorescents). I bought it and installed it in my kitchen, but it smoked the first time so I brought it back for a refund (yes, I was very careful to wire it according to the instructions, including the requirement for a neutral wire). I was still willing to try again, but the place where I got it didn't have plans to restock. The Leviton stuff is expensive (over $50 for the wall switch that smoked), so I wouldn't get it unless there was no other way to do what I want. >You can reach the manufacturer at: >X10 (USA) Inc, 185A Legrand Avenue, Northvale, NJ 07647. Their phone number is (201) 784-9700. > > Further comments, for the original inquiry, as well as general interest: Several articles describing the internals of the X10 circuitry, troubleshooting hints, and various applications have been published in the Kit Builder's Journal (KBJ) started by Heathkit earlier this year. At least some of the material was written by X-10 Inc., so it should be pretty authoritative and up-to-date. I don't have a copy with me at the moment, but I'll post more info about KBJ when I get a chance, if somebody else doesn't do it first. As for reliability, it hasn't been horrible and it hasn't been great. I've had about 6 timers, 5 manual controllers, and maybe 30 power modules in use at various places spanning about 10 years. The labels have been X-10, Sears, Radio Shack, and Leviton (never got a GE to complete the collection), but they're all made by X-10 or its predecessor. Other than occasional problems with bad keyboard contacts, usually the stuff works fine out of the box. But thunderstorms, light bulbs burning out, and even power failures have broken about 8 modules and 1 timer over the years. Steve Ciarca of Byte magazine's Circuit Cellar used the X10 stuff for a while, but apparently gave up after a lightning storm blew out much of his equipment, including his X10 modules. He switched over to hard-wiring, which can be more reliable, but is much more difficult to install or reconfigure. I find the X10 stuff convenient, but when using it with vital systems such as controlling the heat in sub-zero weather, I'm very careful to use it in a "fail-safe" combination with selective use of hard-wiring. From looking inside failed modules, I've noticed that there is a very fine strand of fuse wire soldered in series with the "hot" conductor. But it never blows out (probably it's there just to keep the thing from catching fire if something shorts). The lamp modules won't turn on, won't turn off, or even flicker intermittently when they fail, all of which can be symptomatic of SCR problems. The appliance modules usually fail to turn on. With the older AM601 appliance modules, I've noticed that they sometimes hum and try to turn on, but the solenoid seems to be too weak to pull in. Only in this last case have I been able to fix things, by carefully dribbling WD40 lubricant into the recalcitrant microswitch. Other appliance modules fail to respond at all, presumably due to some electronic problem. I think the SCR is almost always the cause, but I haven't had time to test thoroughly. I had one of the fluorescent display timers start acting flaky after a thunderstorm, so I've taken to soldering in a MOV across the line inputs as a precaution. I'm not sure whether or not the newly-repackaged X10 stuff (in the beige rather than the old dark brown cases) is any better protected than the older stuff, since I haven't had the new stuff long enough to have one zapped yet. The new wireless remote controller (BC-5000, $40) works fine, though I wouldn't leave the receiver set to the same house code as anything I didn't want some joker outside with a transmitter to mess with. Especially in an aluminum-sided house, it has some problems with standing waves and null spots, so I've taken to waving the transmitter around with a grand flourish while pressing the buttons (poor man's spatial diversity transmission :^). I hope this information has been helpful. If anyone out there has further comments, questions, or experiences related to X10 or home control, I'd be interested in hearing from them.
robertl@bucsb.UUCP (Robert La Ferla) (12/31/87)
I have no idea how this ever got into rec.video but I'd like to note that there is an Atari 400/800/xl/xe program to control the x-10 powerhouse. It's more flexible than the other versions (allows you to mix housecodes so you can have up to 256 unique modules at your control!) It's available from: Terrific Software 17a St. Mary's Court Brookline, MA (617) 232-2317
syd@dsinc.UUCP (Syd Weinstein) (01/02/88)
I also am using the x-10 system extensively and use the computer controller from x10 on my pc. I bought it from dak (sic of DAC mentioned) and it works fine. I have not had the major lightning problems mentioned, but did have some problems when the cleaning people plugged a vacuum cleaner into an outlet controlled by the stuff. Really follow the current limitaitons. The older ultrasonic base units have a habit of making a noise out the sensor that can be annoying, but that happens from day 1 and swapping units works fine. Use of a lamp module near an am radio is a problem, as with any scr dimmer of the inexpensive type when it is dimming. The RF stuff is neat, but I have never found a good place to put it when I am also using CLASS A computing stuff. I know, class A is not for at home, but... However, I wish the receiver did more than 8 channels. I got 2 receivers for 16, but I use 24-36 channels normally. I did have to solve one problem myself, but X-10 was very responsive when I called them and provided the correct values. This was I needed to provide an rf bridge across the 2 phases of our 220 lines. My signals were not strong enough to get from one leg of the power to the other via the pole transformer. I bridged the 220 line with a 1uF cap (value specified by X-10) and all is fine. I really do like the CP item mentioned by others. However, I wish they could learn to dim a module from other that bright. This is a lamp module problem really, but with the X-10, if you press dim and a lamp is off, it first goes to full bright and dims from there. If you press bright from off it immediately goes full bright. Syd Weinstein These views are my own, and not those of my employer... or in our world are they?
dh@antique.UUCP (David N. Horn) (01/06/88)
>In article <171@conexch.UUCP> root@conexch.UUCP (Larry Dighera) writes: >>In article <1530@zodiac.UUCP> jshelton@ADS.ARPA (John L. Shelton) writes: >>> >>>Can anyone refer me to published information about the X-10 remote >>>control standard? I'd be interested in any of the following: >>> >>>1. Description of the protocol >>>2. Hobbyist articles describing construction projects >>>3. Reviews of manufactured X-10 devices. >>> >>DAC Industries Inc. (800-325-0800) used to offer an X10 controller that >>could be driven by a computer system via an RS232C interface. Called >>The X10 Powerhouse, it provides the capability of controlling 256 remote >>modules. The cost was about $25/each. >It's called the CP290, and it's still available from Heathkit and many >other places. X-10 Inc. offers software for the IBM PC, Commodore >64/128, Apple II, and the Mac. Radio Shack used to offer their etc.... I have in front of me a Signetics Linear (Integrated Circuit) Data Manual, Vol. 1: Communications (1987). On page 5-26 is a preliminary specification for the NE5050 "Power Line Modem", which is used, among other things, to transmit data over a.c. power lines. Following on pages 5-30 to 5-43 is an Application Note (AN1951) called "NE5050 Power Line Modem Application Board Cookbook", which contains detailed application information and several example circuits. On page 5-42 is the following paragraph: "General Electric's HOMENET operation[1]. HOMENET is a software package copyrighted by General Electric Company for the purposes of power line and twisted pair communication in a residential environment. The SW package is called the HOMENET Link Layer and is compatible with the X-10 Home Control System manufactured by BSR and GE. ... (details ommited)... Note: [1] HOMENET is a Trademark of GE Corp. The HOMENET Link Layer is available as a SW package with the Commodore 64 PC. Current version no. available by contacting: The Industry Standards Staff, General Electric Corporation, Fairfield, CT 06431." I also have played about with my home BSR system control module (actually obtained from Radio Shack). I found that the keyboard is implemented as a matrix switch, and I was able to operate the switchpoints via opto-isolators connected across the matrix. I.e. one opto-isolator is used for every switch that you want to operate remotely. The opto-isolator can be driven from any current source, such as a parallel port (NOT a printer port, you will probably have to build your own, and I do not know how long the switch has to be closed for to be recognised) on a PC. BTW, the use of opto-isolators is strongly advised for safety. I hope the above information is useful. You can probably get the Signetics Application Note by itself, though it does not contain details of the protocol. Dave Horn, AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel, vax135!dh
eric@hdr.UUCP (Eric J. Johnson) (01/08/88)
I must have about 15 or so X10 modules, mostly from X10 Corp, Radio Shack and Sears. Mostly an assortment of lamp, appliance and wall switch replacement units. I did fork out about $50 for one of the Leviton wall switches that allows one to dim the lights from the wall switch (unlike the X10 version). Bought it at a local Leviton dealer. That particular unit seems to be put together a little better then the less expensive models and has a nice touch plate. I control this menagerie with a X-10 Powerhouse 'computer module' that can be programmed from my PC and left alone to control the modules. Very nice. I purchased the 'computer module' and a menu driven s/w package to program it from DAK for like $20-25! One thing I was wondering, has anyone tried getting one of those remote control Casablanca Fans to work with their X10 system? Casablanca must be using some sort of similiar system to control their fans. Any ideas? I've tried running through all 256 base codes/addresses with commands that my 'computer module' can send, but never a peep from my fan. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Eric J. Johnson UUCP: eric@hdr.UUCP CIS: 72460,11 BIX: ericj -- -- HDR Systems, Inc. Other UUCP paths: codas!hdr!eric ugn!eric -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------