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What do I need for...
This thread has 4 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Wednesday September 15, 1999 at 13:22
Chris Cohen
Historic Forum Post
I've been looking through the previous posts to get an idea of what equipment I'll need for a simple X-10 setup in my apartment. I'd like to use my Pronto to control the system. Can anybody help me iron out some of the details or misconceptions I may have?

What I want to accomplish:
-Control 6 lights (3 have wall switches and 3 just from the outlets)
-Be able to send discrete on/off to my receiver (which doesn't have a discrete on/off built in)

What I think I may need:
-IR543 to convert IR to RF
-3 lamp modules for the 3 lights controlled from the outlets
-3 wall switch modules for the 3 lights controlled from wall switches
-Something like the #1111 probe at [Link: smartlinc.com] for figuring out whether the receiver is currently on or off

What I don't understand:
-Are the wall switch and lamp modules all I need for on/off/dim remotely?
-What do I hook the probe from the receiver to that will send the IR code once it's determined the state of the receiver?

Having not used X-10 before, I may be completely screwed up in my thinking. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
-chris
OP | Post 2 made on Wednesday September 15, 1999 at 14:58
Carl Chapman
Historic Forum Post
Chris,

Sort of doing the same thing you are wanting to do myself.

I started off with the IBM Home Director kit and the expansion kit 'cuz they were so cheap from Worthington Distribution.

Just got the IR543. It doesn't convert IR to RF, it converts IR to X-10 commands. You can get an x-10 CCF for your Pronto from the files archive section. It is all you really need for lights.

As for the probe to check for the state of you receiver, that is not gonna happen with the IR543. You would need something like the House Linc or Smart Linc and the ability to to do If...Then...Else. The IR543 does not have a that ability nor the ability to connect a probe.

My suggestion would be just leave the receiver on, reduces thermal stress and gives you known state for receiver. That is what I do.

I started cheap and plan to upgrade to better x-10 and lighting control systems when I move to a new home. My main goal will be to control all the automation (total home) with multiple Pronto's.

Good Luck
Carl
OP | Post 3 made on Thursday September 16, 1999 at 11:32
Chris Cohen
Historic Forum Post
Carl,

Thanks a lot for the feedback! Best of luck on your system.

-chris
OP | Post 4 made on Friday September 17, 1999 at 22:38
Robert (RCI Automation)
Historic Forum Post
Chris:

We have helped a number of people with Pronto remotes that want to expand to control home lighting. The Pronto is a great "front end" to a home automation system, but it obviously is not a home automation controller. It is simply an X-10 transmitter that will send X-10 codes (via an IR543) when you press the button. It can send a stream of X-10 codes however because of the macro capability.

So if you don't have a home automation controller to go along with your Pronto (like a Stargate), you might want to purchase X-10 receivers that have a lot of features built-in that don't require a home automation controller. One example is the PCS product line. It allows you to create up to 16 lighting scenes with an unlimited number of lights. Each light in a lighting scene can be programmed to a different dim level, and even how fast the light gets to that level. These features reside in the switch and don't require anything more than a single X-10 command to trigger.

As Carl mentioned, sensors that will detect the state of your A/V equipment are avialable, but they work with a home automation controller that has IF/THEN logic.

Please send me an e-mail if you would like us to help you select some equipment to get started.

Robert
RCI Automation
rciautomation@compuserve.com
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

OP | Post 5 made on Friday September 17, 1999 at 22:41
RCI Automation
Historic Forum Post
Carl:

When you get into your new home you might want to consider a JDS Stargate home automation controller. They have some new LCD keypads that are hardwired using Stargate's RS-485 port. We have a picture and info on our web site at: [Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

Robert
RCI Automation
rciautomation@compuserve.com
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]


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