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Topic:
TouchLinc X10 Control Panel
This thread has 11 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 10:46
Simon Ngan
Historic Forum Post
Hi,

I'd like to know how easy is it to install TouchLinc X10 LCD TouchPad Control Panel? Does it require hard-wiring? I'm not an electrican, will I be able to install it?

I'm currently using IR543 and Pronto to control all X10 devices. I use Pronto to execute most of the macros and I'm running out of room on the IR543 (8 devices).

Also, I'd like to be able to see the actual name on the button (like Theater Lighting) rather than remembering "1".

What other advanced features do the TouchPad offer (it seems quite a bit of money)?

Thanks for your time.

Simon
OP | Post 2 made on Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 11:46
Brian Porter
Historic Forum Post
Simon,

Don't remember if it was you or someone else whom I pointed this out to, but...

The IR543 can control ALL 16 devices per house code if you are using the pronto. The only limitation is that the IR543 only has 8 hard keys. It WILL however respond to IR codes and transmit X10 codes for device 9-16.
OP | Post 3 made on Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 11:57
Chris Couture
Historic Forum Post
First, as you already know, the Touchlinc is a LCD touch panel very much like the Pronto. It is much more limited in the ability to custom program it though. You can’t move buttons or really even make buttons. They are where they are. You can, however, name them and make them send out any X-10 code you want. The Touchlinc, by it’s self if really not much different that having an X-10 controller that would do all house codes and all unit codes. Adding a home automation controller (Houselinc) that would turn the single X-10 code into a macro changes the whole thing! A button press on 80’s music could turn the A/V system on (if it was off), select the correct input and tune the Sat to 823… A Dining room button could set up the Dining room for dinnertime. Does the Touchinc take the place of the Pronto? No! It’s supose too but anyone can see how the pronto is far superior. A Touchlinc in the bedroom, one in the kitchen and one at the most common entry door is wonderful addition for your home automation system. One on your coffee table, I don' thing so!

Do this for me, go to www.smartlinc.com and download all three disks. You will now have the software that is used to program the Touchlinc and also the Houselinc. This will allow you to see all that you can do.

Chris Couture
OP | Post 4 made on Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 13:16
Simon Ngan
Historic Forum Post
Hi Brian,

I understand Pronto can control up to 16 devices through IR543. However, for devices from 9 and above I have to use Pronto. I want to be able to control devices above 8 using not just only the Pronto.

-----------
Chris,

The TouchLinc will more likely be placed at the front entrance. As I enter the house, I can then touch the appropriate button.

Will I be able to use macros from ActiveHome with TouchLinc (if I don't buy HouseLinc)? How much is it for HouseLinc?

I'll try to download the software and see what this baby can do.

Thanks again for your responses.

Simon
OP | Post 5 made on Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 15:20
Chris Couture
Historic Forum Post
Simon,
As long as an X-10 input will trigger the macros, yes. I don’t know much about the Activehome but I am sure that is what happens. A few other suggestions are as follows:

1. X-10 makes a switch that has several buttons that transmit X-10 signals. I use some of the switches throughout my house as triggers of macros. They mount in a décor style wall plate. The transmitter part number is XPT and there are different panels you can place on the XPT transmitter to allow various different outputs. These are a budget way to trigger macros from different locations and work quite nicely.

2. Several RF remotes available from X-10 will trigger macros. I have a Slimfire I used it in the bedroom, for awhile until I got the Touchlinc, to do a nighttime macro, turn on the bedroom light and turn the fan on and off. I also have a handheld remote, which will control 16 X-10 devices, to do several macros. These are another way to get by a little cheaper.

The Houselinc adds the ability to have IF, THEN, ELSE logic. It has IR functions, Timer control, Delay options and much more. The Houselinc, and any automation controller (JDS Stargate which is sold and supported by Robert @ RCI Automation) is by far a few steps above the Activehome system.

Chris Couture
OP | Post 6 made on Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 15:36
Chris Couture
Historic Forum Post
BTW, We sell the Houselinc for under $300.00. Touchlinc panels range around $550.00 depending on features. There is a Home Theater Kit that has everything you will need to have a awesome system including IR control and all probes for you’re A/V equipment, sells for around $1100.00 Also check out: www.smarthome.com

Chris
OP | Post 7 made on Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 15:47
Roland S
Historic Forum Post
Hometech Solutions (hometech.com) has an inventory reduction sale on selected Smartlinc products including the Touchlinc.

[Link: hometech.com]

Roland
OP | Post 8 made on Tuesday September 7, 1999 at 16:25
Chris Couture
Historic Forum Post
Simon,
The Touchlincs that are for sale at Hometech Solutions are a REAL GOOD DEAL! They are the 1121 versions which do not have the virtual remotes in them and they do not have the homepage either (the page with the 6 squares). These are features you probably don’t want at your front door. The rest of the features are the same as the 1191 Touchlinc panel that sells for a lot more money (this is the one I gave you a price on). Please buy one from these guys and give Roland a big o’ sloppy kiss for this information, you owe him one! (Dealer cost is more than they are for sell here!)

Chris
OP | Post 9 made on Wednesday September 8, 1999 at 08:36
Simon Ngan
Historic Forum Post
Hmm, I looked at the panel and I almost went ahead and ordered it. However, I still want to do a bit more homework :)

One thing, does HouseLinc "MUST" work with TouchLinc? It seems I'm more interested in HouseLinc rather than TouchLinc now!!! I'd like to be able to use IF..THEN..ELSE for some of the controls. Also, does the HouseLinc require a professional to install? Where the controller is going to be located.

Another question for TouchLinc, do I just plug the transformer into the wall and that's it? Or there is another wire that needs to be hook to?

Chris, for HouseLinc, you ship to Canada, right? It's tough to find a place to sell stuff like this in Canada.

Thanks

Simon
OP | Post 10 made on Wednesday September 8, 1999 at 08:39
Simon Ngan
Historic Forum Post
Roland S.

Should have been in the same reply, anyway I wanted to say thank you for the awesome web link. I still haven't decided though!!!

Simon
OP | Post 11 made on Wednesday September 8, 1999 at 09:49
Chris Couture
Historic Forum Post
The Touchlinc does not need the Houselinc to function as an X-10 touch screen. The Touchlinc is a touch panel that sends out ALL X-10 codes. The X-10 codes can be put on any button with any name, much like the pronto can have any action assigned to any button. Adding the Houselinc gives you the ability to do macro features and have the IF, THEN, ELSE logic and make your house “smart”. They will work both separate and together. Installation is simple! For the Touchlinc, it mounts onto a double gang wall box allowing the transformer and the Powerline Interface to be placed in the box. The Touchlinc has a plug on the back that a “phone cord” plugs into and it has a plug for the transformer to plug into. Smartlinc has a “singlecord” that will allow you to only plug in one, the “telephone cord”. Professional installation is not required on either piece, Touchlinc or Houselinc. I had a plug under where I mounted my Touchlinc and ran a “brown” Wal-mart Christmas light extension cord (you know what I mean right?) to the outlet and have the 3 slot female side pulled to the Touchlinc location. The Powerline Interface and the transformer plug into it. EASY! Yes, probably not to CODE but I know it’s safe and will work fine! The Houselinc has a transformer and a Powerline Interface also and is easy to install. If you get the B.O.B. which allows the probes to be used as status indicators for you’re A/V system, it plugs into the I/O port and the probes plug into the B.O.B. The installation instructions that come with the Smartlinc products are real good! As far as operation and programming instructions, it is hard to provide them for products you can do much with and start from scratch on (again, kinka like Pronto). If you have downloaded the software, I can send you a copy of my setup to help you with some ideas and show you ways to do some cool things.

Shipping to Canada is no problem. We ship over 200 packages a day through UPS, FedEx and USPS to places all over the world. (We DON’T usually ship home audio products, we are a retail store for home audio. We do ship Professional products through our catalog division. I will be happy to send you Smartlinc products since they are hard to find for you).

Chris

OP | Post 12 made on Wednesday September 8, 1999 at 12:04
Simon Ngan
Historic Forum Post
Hi Chris,

Thanks for the valuable information. I guess I'll get the whole SmartLinc Kit together (TouchLinc + HouseLinc) rather than one piece at a time for easier installation. Now all I have to make sure is to check my wallet to see if I can buy these new "TOYS".

In the meantime, I'll download SmartLinc software and play around it. Please if you have a chance, send your configuration to me and I'd love to see what this baby can do.

I just got X10 stuff not so long ago and I found the ActiveHome software is very limited. Well, it's good but it's not "SMART". I want to use X10 for a lot of the stuff I have in the house but with ActiveHome, I can't do it.

Once again, thanks for your information and please let me know your best offer on the HouseLinc and the shipping cost. You may want to contact me via e-mail for pricing if you wish. E-mail is simon_n@cgocable.net

Simon


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