Illiterate X-10 Question

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Jim Thompson - 26 Oct 2005 02:39 GMT

The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
someone who has not used them before.

What I want is very simple...

When Circuit A is activated by a conventional switch I want Circuit B
to be also activated.

When Circuit A is deactivated by a conventional switch I want Circuit
B to be also deactivated.

Circuit B only has a source of power but no conventional switching of
its own.

Seems there should be small "do-hickeys" that I could simply wire into
each junction box, but I'm having trouble zeroing-in on the right
components.

Thanks!

...Jim Thompson

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

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BruceR - 26 Oct 2005 03:30 GMT

Smarthome's wall switches send an X10 signal when manually operated. So,
if you put the switch on Circuit A and turned it on or off manually, it
would send an X10 signal like A1-On (or Off) which would control an X10
module set to that code to control Circuit B.

From:Jim Thompson
thegreatone@example.com

> The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
> someone who has not used them before.
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

Reply to this Message

Jim Thompson - 26 Oct 2005 03:39 GMT

>Smarthome's wall switches send an X10 signal when manually operated. So,
>if you put the switch on Circuit A and turned it on or off manually, it
>would send an X10 signal like A1-On (or Off) which would control an X10
>module set to that code to control Circuit B.

[snip]

>> Seems there should be small "do-hickeys" that I could simply wire into
>> each junction box, but I'm having trouble zeroing-in on the right
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>>
>> ...Jim Thompson

I was hoping there really was a set of "do-hickeys" The X-10 switch
blocks don't really fit my application... outdoor-weather-protected
switches.

Alternatively, anyone have schematics of X-10 transmitters and
receivers?

...Jim Thompson

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

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Nick Hull - 30 Oct 2005 23:41 GMT

> Smarthome's wall switches send an X10 signal when manually operated. So,
> if you put the switch on Circuit A and turned it on or off manually, it
> would send an X10 signal like A1-On (or Off) which would control an X10
> module set to that code to control Circuit B.

The trouble with using X10 that way is that X10 is a toggle signal, the
same switches it on or off. If your 2 loads ever got out of sync they
would stay out of sync, turning one off would turn the other on.

Signature

Free men own guns, slaves don't
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/

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Dave Houston - 30 Oct 2005 23:39 GMT

>> Smarthome's wall switches send an X10 signal when manually operated. So,
>> if you put the switch on Circuit A and turned it on or off manually, it
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>same switches it on or off. If your 2 loads ever got out of sync they
>would stay out of sync, turning one off would turn the other on.

X-10 is not a toggle signal. It sends discrete On and Off signals.

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BruceR - 30 Oct 2005 23:59 GMT

As Dave points out the signals are discrete. Turning one off sends an
Off and turning one on sends an ON so they will never be out of sync.

From:Nick Hull
nhull@access4less.net

>> Smarthome's wall switches send an X10 signal when manually operated.
>> So, if you put the switch on Circuit A and turned it on or off
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Free men own guns, slaves don't
> www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/

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E. Lee Dickinson - 26 Oct 2005 04:41 GMT

> The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
> someone who has not used them before.
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> ...Jim Thompson

Jim --

James Lipsit has a bit about sensing current to trigger X10 devices on his
website:

http://james.lipsit.com/tvsensor.htm

Also, have a look at the powerflash module:
http://www.smarthome.com/4060.html and consider that, combined with
http://www.smarthome.com/2250aw.html

I would suggest a 120v relay parallel with your switched load, providing
contact closure to the 4060, which will send an X10 "on" command to the 2250

E. Lee Dickinson
Entertainment Design and Technology
www.leedickinson.com

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Jim Thompson - 26 Oct 2005 04:45 GMT

>> The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
>> someone who has not used them before.
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>Entertainment Design and Technology
>www.leedickinson.com

Thanks, Lee, I'll check it out.

...Jim Thompson

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.

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Homeowner Forum / Home Automation / October 2005

Illiterate X-10 Question