Forgive me if this has been made clear in a message that I couldn't find.

Also, I'm new to this. So bear with me if I get some nomenclature wrong.

I just bought an IR543 controller and a XPD3 dimmer switch. I have a harmony SST-659 remote that's capable of shootin X-10 codes to the IR543. None of this is set up yet, but before I do, I wanted to make sure that I can use this equipment to do what I want to do.

Here's what I want to do:

I select the "watch a DVD" activity with my remote. It does it's thing and fires everything up like normal, but I want it to sent a signal to the IR543 to tell the lights in the room to dim to a certain pre-set level. Then when I pause the DVD, I want the lights to brighten to a pre-set level. And of course, when I press play, the lights should dim back down to the movie-watching pre-set level. I can handle programming for the remote codes. But what I don't know is X-10.

What equipment do I need that I don't have yet? A Maxi-controller? I've read the manuals for the PHC02 and it doesn't say a thing about scenes, which I assume this is. Do I do all of the light programming (setting and naming pre-set lighting levels) with the maxi controller and then have the IR543 tell it what to do (from the remote)? Am I right in assuming that without this maxi-controller piece of the puzzle, I can only dim and brighten the lights to certain levels? ...and something about them having to go full bright before they dim? I do NOT want that.

I was a little let down with the quality of the dimmer I got. It was cheap, sure, but it's pretty rickety. What's a better way to go, a plug-in lamp module, or a dimmer switch?

Thanks!

-spack

Addendum to this excellent question:

If one wants six lighting zones, and with scene-capable dimmers costing $70 or more, is there an alternative controller (I'm thinking Ocelot, maybe?) that obviates the need for the scene capability?

What would be the quantity of dimmers that is at the price break point?

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

I don't think the Ocelot will eliminate the need for scene capability. It simply transmits X-10 commands just as any other X-10 transmitter would. There needs to be something at the receiving end to react properly. Enter the scene capable switch.

I don't know what the budget constraints might be, but the neatest way to accomplish what you describe is with scene capable switches and the Ocelot in combination. You can program it something like this.

IF receive IR #3 (DVD Pause)
THEN transmit X-10 code c/3 (scene address)

If the DVD player is out of site of the remote you can add another THEN statement like this.

THEN transmit IR #3 (DVD Pause)

Once you get started with the Ocelot, the possibilities become endless.

I think there may have been some who have sort of accomplished what you want with an Ocelot by sending a series of short dim commands, but I think the results may be marginal, and possible difficult to repeat consistantly. I haven't ever tried it, but that's my sense.

I suspect I'm off the deep end here on what you wanted to get involved with, but wanted to offer the suggestion as to how it can be accomplished if you have an appetite for it.

I'm not familiar with the Harmony, perhaps it will, along with the IR543, accomplish what you want so long as you stick with scene ready switches. In this case, I would encourage you to consider PCS brand.

So I can't just hook a maxi-controller up and have the IR543 feed it signals coming from the remote to call certain scenes to certain devices?

am I over-simplifying?

I wanted to avoid the big budget since I'm just getting started. But I want to "future-proof" myself as much as I can. I want to be able to expand this whole thing later to possible turn on teh kitchen or bathroom light when I pause the DVD.

-spack

You're not over-simplifying it, you just need to have something at the "switch" end that recognizes scenes. An ordinary low cost X-10 dimmer without scenes will turn on and off OK, and manually dim OK, but it won't go to pre-set levels. It will most likely come on full, then you have to dim to where you want it. I believe that's what you indicated you didn't want.

The best "future proof" purchases are going to be quality swithces with scenes built in. And, all expensive dimmers aren't the same. For instance, Smarthome's have only 64 dimming steps, PCS switches have 200. Much smoother.

Scenes are triggered by X-10 commands and are simply memory levels programmed into the dimmer for a specific X-10 command. Individual dimmers are "enrolled" in a scene as needed. If a certain scene is transmitted on say G/6, if a dimmer is suppposed to react to that scene it will, otherwise it will ignore it. It will also come on to the level you have instructed it to for that scene, and at the ramp (fade) rate you have instructed it to. As you can start to see, you are describing "scene" capable dimmers in your requirements. You won't get anywhere near where you want to go with the cheap "non-scene" dimmers.

By the way, the PCS dimmers are programmable on your computer, I don't believe the Smarthome dimmers are, though there may be something available I don't know about.

Best choices are on this page.

[Link: homeautomationnet.com]

I have to agree, go with the scene capable switch's, you will find the quality of the switch's and the added features to be great. I have done most of my home with the smarthome brand and so far they work great. Deane just for the record, I am able to program them on my computer.

Thanks for clarifying that RWI. I hate to be guilty of providing bad information.

Wow, thanks guys. I love quality responses like that.

So to sum it up, I need an IR543 (which I have), a maxi controller set to the same house code as the IR543, and a scene capable dimmer switch, which I assign to that same house code and an unused unit code.

Then I program the maxi-contoller with all of the ramp-up and pre-set dim levels by assigning them to commands? ...then I send one of these commands with the remote, to the controller through the IR543? I guess I need a tutorial on that.

Once I clear up the whole maxi controller thing I think I'll be ready to buy something.

I did some checkin around and I've added the ToggleLinc 2-Way Dimmer 23890W to my shopping list.

By the way, does anyone know of any stores (offline) that carry X10 stuff for reasonable prices? I've heard mention of Radio Shack, but their web site says everything X10 is special order, and not in stores.

Thanks again,

-spack

Then I program the maxi-contoller with all of the ramp-up and pre-set dim levels by assigning them to commands?

NO - you program the scene capable dimmer with this. It then knows what to do when it receives that command.

I wish we had scene capable X10 dimmers in Europe (230V/50Hz) - anyone know of any?

Spack, it might be easier if you look at it backwards. Start at the switch/dimmer. The switch will require an X-10 signal to operate. It doesn't care where that comes from. It can come from a Maxi-controller, an X-10 handheld keypad/transceiver setup, an IR543 or a computer. What you add as a source depends on what you want for your convenience.

A Maxi-controller generates X-10 and you would need nothing further to operate the switch if that's where you wanted to stop.

The IR543 converts an IR signal from a remote to an X-10 command and sends it to the switch. Therefore, you don't need a Maxi-controller in use to operate the switch in that configuration. However, with most scene capable switches I am aware of, you need the Maxi-controller to initially program the switch, or, perhaps your computer if you have that set up.

I'm not familiar with the Harmony remote, but if it's programmable, I should think you would use it to send an IR signal to your IR543, which would convert the signal to X-10 and send it on to the switch. I've also never actually used an IR543, so if I have this wrong, someone can jump in with a correction.

Thanks again guys.

I would like to look into the computer solution, so I'd use software to program the dim settings and all that. Then I wouldn't even need a maxi-controller.

Can anyone recommend a nice intuitive (and cheap) piece of software that does this? Are any available for a mac? Not a necessity, but I'd rather it be on my mac.

The Harmony can certainly send commands to the IR543, in fact, I have that part set up already, I just don't have any X10 stuff hooked up for it to control. ;-)

-spack

As I recall, you need the Maxi-controller to set the primary address of the switch, then you can do everything else by computer. I'm referring to PCS, I don't know what Smarthome's computer program requires.

I use the PCS software which is a free download.

http://www.pcslighting.com/

Click on "SceneMaster Setup Tool"

I don't know what's available for Mac, that's another world that I haven't even visited.

Programming any of the "scene capable" switches is a tedious job without a computer. It's worth getting set up for. My guess is that once you get your primary switch working, you'll start expanding to other areas. It's a bit addictive. The PCS switches work so well, they quickly become the "norm" for your house. My experience with Smarthome is that they are a bit less reliable. One product that Smarthome makes that is absolutely great and has no equal is the new BoosterLinc.

I don't use a MAC, but you might want to check this out:
[Link: smarthome.com]

(BTW:I use an Ocelot and HomeSeer.)

If your running OS X then Indigo's for you, it is a very nice package and will enable you to set up your switch's using apple script (it's not bad to do even if you don't know about scripting). Matt is also great with tech support! By the way since your running a Mac, here's a link to a virtual maxi controller [Link: perceptiveautomation.com]
I have not tryed it because I have the hardware, but you might find it useful

wow am I glad I mentioned I had a mac, these things look 10 times more intuitive than the PC stuff I've seen, with their virtual rooms and cruddy 3-d rendered pictures. Just give me a list like indigo does, simple and functional. Man, what a find!

Thanks!

This message was edited by spackletoe on 02/14/04 03:11.