I'm starting my X10 adventure by automating my HT, which is under construction.

Based on research (as opposed to experience :-) ), I have chosen to use PCS dimmers. I like their fine dimming gradation, scene-capableness, and noise resistance.

PCS has a module that can serve as a lamp or appliance module (Multi-Module). However, because 1) it is now a discontinued product, and 2) I'd prefer not to pay for dimming capability when all I want is on/off control for certain applications (curtain, projector, etc.), I'm looking for an alternative to the PCS MM2 MultiModule. This could take the form of either an appliance module or an X10 controlled outlet.

SO, (finally) THE QUESTION: Can anyone suggest an X10 outlet or appliance module that is of comparable quality to the PCS unit, especially with regard to electrical noise immunity (no phantom activations).

A second, unrelated question: Audible noise is also important (remember it is a HT application). How does the PCS MM2 rate with respect to audible noise, and would the recommended substitute (per the main question) be better or worse?

Thank you for your time.

David Grove

I'm curious about the PCS Multi-Module being discontinued. Where did you get that information?

Thanks

Deane

Well, first, I noticed the "Discontinued" notation at smarthome.com (Lately, I can't find it at all.)

Second, I emailed PCS. They replied and confirmed that the product has been discontinued due to insufficient sales.

Regards,

DG

Sounds final. Frankly, I'm not surprised that they found sales insufficient. The thing was badly overpriced, though very reliable. When Smarthome came along with their much lower priced fully featured modules, it probably killed off the Multi-Module, not because it wasn't better, but because it was too expensive.

I have both the Multi-Module and the Smarhome dimmers and I much prefer the Multi-Module, but choke on the price. Since I use the PCS computer program to program all of my PCS dimmers, I hate the hassle of manually programming the Smarthome dimmer. They aren't as smooth and they are a pain to get the level and fade rates exact in a large installation.

Time marches on.

I think that the Lightolier switches will be even better than the PCS switches for what you want to do.

-Martin
Martin@AutomatedOutlet.com

Martin,

I visited your site, but no info is available, yet. I also went to the Lightolier site, but couldn't really find much about Lightolier non-dimming switches.

Of course, the real issue, from my personal point of view, is how they might compare with PCS products in terms of reliability and resistance to noise activation. I don't know anywhere that has information like that.

DG

Martin:

Just visited your site. Nice.

The V572AB whole house Transceiver caught my eye. Do I understand correctly that I could use one of these to replace the seven tranceivers I use for seven different housecodes, and get better range at the same time? And I don't need to leave a computer connected to it? Seems too good to be true.

Deane

Also, I'd like to know what are the functional differences between the V572A and the V572AB.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

Larry,

This is a link to their home page [Link: wgldesigns.com]

The only difference between the A and AB is the powerline interface is included with the AB. We have gotten real good feedback from the units we have sold.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

The V572, and especially the W800, look very impressive. Does anyone know whether the Ocelot can be made to read these RF receivers, and then it (the Ocelot) provide the PLC transmissions through the Ocelot's own PSC05?

I should think the answer would be yes. As I am beginning to understand the V572, it functions exactly like a regular X-10 transceiver, that is, it receives a signal from the palm pad and in response transmits an X-10 signal on the power line. It's main difference from a standard X-10 transceiver is that it can be programmed to respond to any and all X-10 house codes instead of just one as the standard tranceivers do.

The Ocelot then picks up the X-10 signal from the power line and does whatever it has been programmed to do. That would include sending X-10 signals back on the power line.

In looking further at the W800, I question whether it would work with the Ocelot. I think you would need one of the other units (V572A), but I could be missing something.

This message was edited by Deane Johnson on 02/26/04 21:21.

I will be testing this configuration shortly, if you read the V572A manual it says that you can simply tee the input to the PSC05. I think it will work and would be a great combo. Will report back when I have the results.

Bill
www.homeautomationet.com

Deane, agree with your comments re V572 as X-10 transceiver replacement. What I was wondering, is whether the V572 (or W800) can connect direct to the Ocelot, thereby saving one communication link (and transmission time).

Instead of:

V572-->PSC05-->PowerLine-->PSC05-->Ocelot-->PSC05-->PowerLine

it would be:

V572-->Ocelot-->PSC05-->PowerLine.

Bill, looking forward to results of your tests; thanks.

Hi Bill. Wondering if you have had any success connecting the V572A to the Ocelot?