I have a Sony AV3000 remote and want to control my lights dimming as well as my gas fireplace with it. The fireplace is turned on with a wall toggle switch just like a normal light. Can i install an X10 wall switch for both of these and control my fireplace as well as dim the lights?

Fireplace switches are typically a low volt loop aren't they? You would have to pull out the switch and see if it is connected to hi volt or low volt wires. If hi volt an X10 non dimming relay should work but you'd need a neutral in the box (white wire) for the drain current of the relay I think. If low volt and near AC you'd have to dangle a dongle inside the wall (and know what you are doing).

so if its connected to a high volt relay, i can use high volt X10 relay? also, if I use a X10 for the fireplace as well as the lights, do i need to purchase a remote to control them so i can "learn" the codes with the AV3000?

This message was edited by marainwa on 01/26/04 15:41.

I was assuming you have the IR543 console table remote control with infrared eye, you will need one of those also (about $40) here is a link
[Link: smarthome.com]

Don't know about your Sony remote (does it have x10 in the ROM?) but you need to teach it the X10 IR codes for the IR543 which you can download for compatible remotes or buy a cheap X10 remote to teach yours with.

yeah, the AV3000 already has X10 in the the ROM, along with Lutron...so im not really sure which one i should use. Im hoping the fireplace runs off high voltage wires though, otherwise it looks like i wont be able to "dangle a dongle" as you say. thanks for the help.

If you are lucky enough to have an AC receptacle below the "low volt" version you could fish/drop a wire down to it and plug in a "x10 powerflash module" and screw the wires onto it. Set the slider switch on it for "contact closure"

[Link: smarthome.com]

not fun to look at in a family room though (that's why I said dangle a dongle, meaning hidden inside the wall).

Yeah, im hopin its high voltage so I can just use the X10 switch by itself, otherwise i doubt ill rewire anything...my skills dont go much beyond changing out the switch. How can i tell if it is a high voltage wire or low voltage wire? by the color?

actually, after looking at it...underneath my fireplace, when i take off the little door, there are two AC boxes. Could i use this? its already hidden in the door for the fireplace...but im not really sure what it controlls, it is directly attached to the fireplace though.

Yeah that's great. You'll be able to eventually implement it one way or the other. See what you've got going in the existing switch for the fireplace, it may be that it's already been converted from a low volt to a high volt arrangement. The wall switch may be powering a transformer/power supply or something. Get back to the forum after you've pull out the switch (watch your fingers, just grab it by the front/face)

There are much more experienced people in this forum than I am but I'm not sure I would let x10 control a fireplace. I've had too many random activations of lights with no way of knowing what turned them on. It's one thing for a light to turn on but quite another for a fireplace to start unattended. There could be ways to prevent this. Anyone else have thoughts on this subject?

see the 4th post on this thread:
[Link: remotecentral.com]
this is how i did it. it will not respond to "ALL ON"
but will respond to "ALL OFF"
i have NEVER had the fireplace turn on via X-10 by accident. good luck

Thanks man...that sounds exactly like what I need...hopefully ill get around to it this weekend!

quick question though...does the remote control, control the universal module? or do i need to get an X10 wall switch to put in place of the original switch? also, youre saying that you cant get the fireplace to turn on with the remote (all on), but can get it to turn off? (all off)

see post number 4 above. the universal module is controlled from the remote via the ir543. very cool when you have your lights and (soon) fireplace controllable with your remote.