Hi, was trying to set something up with a couple X-10 components I had around. What I am looking to do is to startup my computer and have an X-10 signal sent to turn on a light automatically. Then when the computer gets shutdown, I wanted the signal sent to turn the light off, again with no intervention. Anybody know if this is possible and how? Thanks in advance.

Matt

There are several ways to do this but cost is an issue I bet. The best and most fool proof way would be to have a controller that picked up on the state of the computer and turned things on and off accordingly. This could be done with a EMF sensor or a LED sensor to sense the computers state and something like a Houselinc controller that has some logic and knows when to do if it’s on or off.

Otherwise, you’re going to need a software package that you can trigger to send commands on power up and on power down. The problem is having the command sent on power down. Since it’s a computer, when you choose to shut down, you will need to have a command in the shutdown sequence to trigger an event before it shuts down. I don’t know that any of the automation software has this built in but you may want to check out a program called Automate from a company named Unisyn. It’s a great program and can do a lot of neat stuff with your computer.

If money were no object, use a controller and have it check the PC status every 5 min or so and do commands based on the PC’s status.

Low tech: use a switched power strip.
Hi tech: use one of the programs below to put the PC in 'sleep' mode.
No tech: just let the PC run all the time.

Here's the most popular PC based X10 control programs:

[Link: homeautomationnet.com]

I prefer PowerHome:

http://www.myx10.com/

I also use an Ocelot as a Virtual remote:

[Link: appdig.com]

This message was edited by ONEAC on 11/04/03 07:41.

Yes cost is definitely and issue. What I'm trying to do is that I build an Arcade Game Cabinet, which is in my basement. I wanted to be able to power up the cabinet and have a lighted sign in the opposite corner of the basement light up with it. Don't really need to do it, just wanted to see if I could. I am using a smart power strip in the arcade cabinet, so that when the computer power button is pressed, power then gets sent to the arcade monitor, marquee lighting and speakers. Do they make something that plugs into a standard 110 outlet and will sent an X-10 signal when given power and take it away when the power is cut? Thanks for the help

You could do it with An Ocelot an a current sensing transformer, but that would be expensive.

That's what I was afraid of, oh well. Thanks for the input.

Matt

You could use a Powerflash (PSC01). Set the input to A and the Mode to 3. Connect to screw terminals to an unused +12v (yellow) -12v (black) and out on your PC's power supply. Then you just need to set the light and the power flash to the same code. Remmember you can't plug the PSC01 into your power strip.

Powerflash:

[Link: homeautomationnet.com]

Thanks for the advice galilieo01, I may eventually give that a try, sounds pretty simple.

Just use a Powerflash (PSC01) and a 12V wall wart plugged into the same smart power strip. It will send a X-10 signal when power is applied to the wall wart. Easy and inexpensive... under 30 bucks!