Just ordered the Firecracker kit and I have a feeling I'm going to get addicted to this stuff. Just a question for the more experienced X-10 junkies out there:

I have wall switches that control outlets in my house. I'd like to replace them with x-10 capable wall switched to control lighting plugged into the outlets. This should work ok, correct?

Also, I have a feeling that the Firecracker will not meet my needs. I don't want to buy the whole active home kit. Is there a place (and how much?) to just buy the Active Home PC interface? Thanks.

Ken Coon

Ken,

Wall switches are simple to replace. You just need to make sure you replace it with the correct X-10 switch (i.e. 2-way or 3-way model).

Refresher course: 2-way switches are used when only one switch controls one set of lights. 3-way switches are used with two switches control the same set of lights.

As far as the Firecracker kit goes, it's a great way to experience little of what X-10 can do for only $5.90. The kit does have it's limitations though. For example, It will not do macros or timed events without additional software (not included).

But if you're wanting to get a little more serious, I would highly recommend the ActiveHome kit for starters. This kit can control timed lightings (e.g. when you're on vacation) and macros. And since it stores the info away from the computer, you can turn off your computer and still use it.

The X-10 website (www.x10.com) sells this kit for $50 and they usually throw in free stuff, discounts, and free shipping too. You can buy wall switches here as well.

Roland

Follow up:

What I meant concerning wall switches and outlets was that when i see a description of x-10 wall switches - they are used for lighting only using directly connected light fixtures (i.e., ceiling light). In my case, it would be a lamp pluged into a wall outlet controled by the x-10 light switch. Still ok?

Also, I want to use a light module to control a haogen lamp. Is this OK? It's one of those lamps you can get in wallmart or home depot for like $20.00. Thoughts?

The lamp plugged into a outlet controlled by an X-10 wall switch should work fine. I have one lamp controlled this way. You really have to be careful not to plug anything over 500W into that outlet though (e.g. vacuum cleaner). It may fry the switch.

The other alternative is to use the lamp module to control the lamp. One downside to this is that if the wall switch controlling that outlet is accidentally turned off, X-10 is no good.

And thirdly, I have read that a dimmable module is not recommended for use with a halogen (torch) lamp with dim control. It has something to do with a loud humming, and I don't know if it will cause a fire or not. You can use an appliance module with them, but won't have dim features by remote.

Roland

Thanks for your help Roland. Very informative. Now I'm really thinking about setting X-10 up in my apartment.

Ken,

For my halogen lights, I removed the dimming circuitry(one of the switches had gone bad anyways) and use a dimming lamp module with my halogens.

This works perfectly and there is no hum evident.