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Topic:
Newbie getting started with X10--looking for advice! (Progress updates!)
This thread has 15 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Sunday December 28, 2003 at 09:50
ds72
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Greetings all! Could someone please suggest a simple solution for this situation?

(1) I'd like to replace my living/TV room dimmer switch with a X10 capable one so I can control the light from a universal remote control.
(2) I'd like to program the switch so that when I press PLAY on the remote, the light will slowly fade off; and of course when I press PAUSE/STOP, it will fade on to a pre-determine level.
(3) Of course, I must be able to manually control the light from the switch and from the remote (independent from the PLAY/PAUSE/STOP pre-programmed "macros")

I've been looking at the Home Theater Lighting Scene Starter Kit from Homeautomation.net; will this kit enable me to do the above?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Don
-------------------------------------------------------
Just wanted to let you all know that I'm now X10-functional! PCS switch, IR543, and Kameleon 8--all integrated and working properly. Hometheater experience just went up another notch!

BIG thanks to all who helped in educating this newbie as he ventures into a new and exciting hobby!

p.s. I've seen the lamp and appliance modules but couldn't find a Beer module--you know, press PLAY on the remote, the movie starts, the lights dim, and the cold beer somehow travels from the fridge to the primary HT viewing position. I've tried to program the wife to bring the beer but apparently she doesn't "speak" X10.

This message was edited by ds72 on 01/10/04 10:16.
Post 2 made on Sunday December 28, 2003 at 12:00
Clocknut
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Hello,
The IR543 in the kit allows you to control the switch using a universal remote. Your remote needs to be X-10 capable. What remote do you own?

You actually set up the scene at the switch - using the PHC02 Controller - (you can create up to 16 scenes) and then set up a macro on your remote to activate the scene. I’m not sure about other remotes but the MX-700 (that I just received for XMAS and I love it) will allow you to set up a shortcut to a macro from a hard button - in your case play/pause/stop.

Yes, you can locally control the switch.

I buy a lot of my X-10 gear through Bill at http://www.homeautomationnet.com and you can’t go wrong. Bill is very knowledgeable and will steer you in the right direction for what you need.

Good luck,
Carter
OP | Post 3 made on Monday December 29, 2003 at 00:44
ds72
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Thanks Carter and congrats on the nice present! I have the Kameleon 8-in-1 remote and think it's X10 capable. I've used up all four available macros on the remote and am looking for something that can learn IR signals from the DVD player (e.g PLAY, PAUSE, STOP). I also plan to further automate the house (if this first experience is a positive one) and need the flexibility for future upgrades. I've read that the IR543 can only operate on a single house code at a time, does this limit me from independently control other X10 components in the house?

I've emailed the HomeAutomation folks but probably won't get any response until after the holidays. Thanks for taking the time to help! This X10 thing is pretty interesting and intimidating at the same time.

Don
Post 4 made on Monday December 29, 2003 at 09:45
Clocknut
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Hello Don,

You can teach the commands for your DVD player to the Kameleon from your original remote. I'm assuming your remote has learning capability.

Some remotes are not set up with the 11-16 X-10 unit codes, however you can learn them from other remotes. That's what I did with my MX-500.

I haven't reached the 16-unit limit on my IR-543 yet so that hasn't been a problem for me. I only have 9 switches/modules/scenes set up. BTW, just so you understand, if you use house code "A" you have 16 lights/appliances you can control anywhere in the house.

Something I learned about X-10 (and I'm still learning) is the importance of filtering. Your computer, TV, audio gear, etc, need to be filtered because they suck X-10 signals. Without filters you'll notice dead spots in your house where X-10 signals just won't work. Check with Bill about filters. The ACT filters he sells are great.

X-10 is addictive!

Also, check out these links:
[Link: pigselectronics.com]
[Link: homeautomationnet.com]

Good luck,
Carter
OP | Post 5 made on Monday December 29, 2003 at 10:49
ds72
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Carter, thanks for the additional helpful info. How do you have your scene lighting(s) set up? I still have a little problem grasping this concept, please see if I understand it correctly:

To control the light of interest--on the remote:
(1) Press X10
(2) Select a House code
(3) Select a Device code
(4) Select a scene address (still need to learn more about this)
Now the lights will respond to the pre-set level.

So...if by chance I've got this correctly, how do you "automate" this sequence? And tie it to the PLAY command for the DVD player? Does the IR543 have learning capability? And what with all the questions? :)

Thanks for taking the time to help a new guy; I feel like an idiot asking all these "basic" questions. It's just that I haven't found a good source that contains all these newbie information.

Regards,
Don
Post 6 made on Monday December 29, 2003 at 19:37
RWI
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592
You would have to set up the scene as per the instructions for the type of switch's or modules that you have. This scene will have its own unique address for example A10, when you send this address to your IR-543 and the on command, the lights & or modules will respond to the way you set them. As far as having the scene activated by your play button, you would need a remote capable of sending a macro from that button. Since you have used all of your macro's already you would have to upgrade your remote or program an additional button to control your scene lighting.
Post 7 made on Monday December 29, 2003 at 20:14
AutomatedOutlet
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215
If you really want to get involved in the scenes, etc. you really should do it with one of the better software packages out there. It's a lot easier to make changes and control what's happening.

Martin
[email protected]
Post 8 made on Monday December 29, 2003 at 22:09
Jeff DeLine
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54
Martin, I'm new to this board but have posted a couple of messages in the Installers forum. I've had some good experiences in audio, video, and IR distribution but have not tackled lighting yet. That is my next project in our new house. Eventually most of my lights will be controlled by dimmers and would like to do a lot of scenes for specific rooms, groups of rooms, etc. I haven't done much research yet and haven't bought anything but am open to suggestions and advice.

Jeff
Post 9 made on Monday December 29, 2003 at 22:39
RWI
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592
Martin,
Scene capable hardware works far better than any software as far as performance and affect. I have both and only use software where needed, If you invest in good scene capable hardware take advantage of it.

Jeff I have just done most of my house in X-10, I used all switchlinc switch's (pcs are also very good), you will need to get a good quality phase coupler/repeater and some filters for a proper system. Check out Bill here, http://www.homeautomationnet.com/ he is a fantastic supplier and will guide you in the right direction
OP | Post 10 made on Tuesday December 30, 2003 at 00:45
ds72
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RWI, thanks! Do you think the Scene Lighting Starter Kit from homautomationnet will contain everything necessary to let me control one lighting scene?
Post 11 made on Tuesday December 30, 2003 at 22:41
Clocknut
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34
Don,
That kit will do what you want. The kit is set up to control a light via a switch.

I started out with a Lamplinc LS module (for a lamp not controlled via a switch), an IR543 (IR control using your Kameleon remote) and the PHC02. That's about $60 from Bill plus shipping.

The nice thing about the stuff I described above is you'll be up and running in about five minutes without having to replace a switch. Well, maybe 15 after reading the manual. All you do is plug the lamp into the module, set up the scene and the address, say A4 (house code A, unit 4), hit X10 on your remote, hit 4, hit on, (channel up key on your remote, down for off) and watch your light dim.

Then you'll be hooked and driving the wife crazy just like I am.

Good luck,
Carter
Post 12 made on Wednesday December 31, 2003 at 10:16
Clocknut
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Don,
I just found this link that will help you understand scenes: [Link: smarthome.com]

Carter
OP | Post 13 made on Wednesday December 31, 2003 at 16:50
ds72
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Carter,
Thanks a lot for the great info and links (and everyone else for their input). Learning a new hobby can be frustrating but I've learned enough to get started and most likely will give Bill a call this weekend. I will definitely post the outcome of this learning experience.

Don
p.s. already driving the wife crazy with all this home automation talks with no knowledge to back it up. :)
OP | Post 14 made on Saturday January 10, 2004 at 10:19
ds72
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13
.
Post 15 made on Monday January 12, 2004 at 19:57
G50AE
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On 01/10/04 10:19, ds72 said...
.

That's the letter "E" in morse code.
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