Larry thanks for your help. I installed the pcs dimmer switch today without a hitch. I will probably break the thing from overuse as I can't stop playing with it.

Next question. What switches should I use for my other switches in the house that I dont need a dimmer on but would still like to control form my new 543 station?

brian

PS..What other automation cool gadgets can be controlled from the 543???

Well, I don't like mixing different switches in a house so I use the PCS switches everyone in our house. This is especially true when mixing true-rocker switches with rocker-style switches as they work differently and that inconsistancy would be distracting at best.

If I still haven't convinced you then take a look at the XPD & XPS at [Link: homeautomationnet.com] Those are what I'd recommend at a cheaper price point.

The IR543 will control anything that's X10 compatable.

Larry,

I'm confuse with the difference between the smart switch and the xpd, and xps. What do the others do. Are they simple on/off switches, what are 3-4 circuits, whats the difference between the smart, xpd, and xps?

thanks
brian(still playing with my new smart switch!)

Brian,

The X10 switches are simply on/off and depending on model dim. The dimming switches must always got to full bright before you can dim them. The dimming is in fairly course steps, and they are not capable of scenes. These are also not true rocker action, meaning the on/off action is a paddle, you would press the bottom of the switch for on, off and dim. Pressing the top of the switch does nothing. The smart switches are day and night in capabilities, but cost considerably more for the features. The X10 switches have there place and do get the job done, but the added value of a PCS smart switch is clearly evident when you have them properly set up.
Go to the PCS site and read about them [Link: smartswitch.net]

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

but whats the difference between the other models larry was talking about, Smart vs xpd vs xps. also

cont...

has anyone used the rocker dimmers from smarthome.net?

any comparison to the pcs smart switches??

Brian,

Bill was telling you the different between the X10Pro (XPD/XPS) and PCS switches.

Smarthome offers a lot of different swtichs. Are you talking about the Switchlincs?

The PCS switches are higher quality, operate more reliably in a high-noise environment, and are about $6 cheaper than the Switchlinc's ($74.95 vs. $79.95). The Switchlinc's have a couple of additional features over the PCS switches, most noteably their are 2-way capable.

You can download the users manuals for both swtiches to read through and compare if you like.

PCS: [Link: pcslighting.com]

Switchlinc: [Link: smarthome.com]

I've got a little comparison table which shows the features of the PCS swtiches against the X10Pro (XPS/XPD) at [Link: ir-x10.how.to] The prices I list are from http://www.homeautomationnet.com which are the lowest I've found.

Larry in TN,

Thanks for the links, they are appreciated. The table especially is of great help in figuring out what components have what features.

Gerard

the price for the switch linc lite is 49.00. Whats the difference?

The SwitchLinc Lite is similiar to the more expensive SwitchLinc but without 2-way capability and without scene support. The PCS switches have scene support but don't have 2-way capability, so they cost a little less than the high-end SwitchLinc. I have a bunch of PCS switches and have been very happy with them (and the scene support), but I haven't tried the SwitchLinc models.

You can always try them out and return them if you don't like them (or decide that you don't need the extra functionality).

Rob

Think twice before going with 2-way feature. A few of these in your system can cause a whole lot of signal collision. The theory is nice, but the reality is often a less reliable system.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

Additionally, any device which can transmit, such as a 2-way receiver, will attenuate X10 signal strength a bit. If you have two many of them you'll start having signal strength problems. That's why Switchlinc offers the "LS" version with scenes but no 2-way feature ([Link: smarthome.com]).

Two-way is great when you have a need for the feature but you don't want to install 2-way receivers in locations where you don't plan on using it. Also, as Bill notes, using a 2-way status check with all of your events will really tie up the powerline and could cause problems such as collisions and so response.

2-way is a good feature but you need to understand it's limitations and use it judiciously.

I have "another qustion for larry...":
What about the Leviton switches? they are few cost like the in the price range of the PCS or Switchlinc (and don't do 2-way); they have scene support too.
[Link: smarthome.com]
Any input?

The Leviton's should be good switches but they're more expensive than PCS and don't offer any additional features. They do have one disadvanatage in that they require special X10 commands to activate their scene functions which limits you somewhat in your choice of controllers. The PCS (and Switchlinc) switches use standard X10 commands for controlling the scenes.