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Illiterate X-10 Question

J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
someone who has not used them before.

What I want is very simple...

When Circuit A is activated by a conventional switch I want Circuit B
to be also activated.

When Circuit A is deactivated by a conventional switch I want Circuit
B to be also deactivated.

Circuit B only has a source of power but no conventional switching of
its own.

Seems there should be small "do-hickeys" that I could simply wire into
each junction box, but I'm having trouble zeroing-in on the right
components.

Thanks!

...Jim Thompson
 
J

Joerg

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello Jim,
The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
someone who has not used them before.

What I want is very simple...

When Circuit A is activated by a conventional switch I want Circuit B
to be also activated.

When Circuit A is deactivated by a conventional switch I want Circuit
B to be also deactivated.

Circuit B only has a source of power but no conventional switching of
its own.

Seems there should be small "do-hickeys" that I could simply wire into
each junction box, but I'm having trouble zeroing-in on the right
components.

Maybe one of these, plus a relay and a receiver module for whatever the
other circuit is:
http://www.x10.com/security/x10_pf284.htm

This won't fit into a junction box though. If you switch it to mode 3
and a unique house code (not the one you normally use) then it can turn
on the desired circuit upon relay closure and turn it off when that
relay opens. You can also feed it a low voltage signal instead of the
relay contacts if that is easier.

Regards, Joerg
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello Jim,


Maybe one of these, plus a relay and a receiver module for whatever the
other circuit is:
http://www.x10.com/security/x10_pf284.htm

This won't fit into a junction box though. If you switch it to mode 3
and a unique house code (not the one you normally use) then it can turn
on the desired circuit upon relay closure and turn it off when that
relay opens. You can also feed it a low voltage signal instead of the
relay contacts if that is easier.

Regards, Joerg

I don't have "house codes"... I avoid high-tech crap like the
plague... I have no problem with light switches ;-)

Maybe I need to roll my own.

...Jim Thompson
 
D

Don Bowey

Jan 1, 1970
0
The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
someone who has not used them before.

What I want is very simple...

When Circuit A is activated by a conventional switch I want Circuit B
to be also activated.

When Circuit A is deactivated by a conventional switch I want Circuit
B to be also deactivated.

Circuit B only has a source of power but no conventional switching of
its own.

Seems there should be small "do-hickeys" that I could simply wire into
each junction box, but I'm having trouble zeroing-in on the right
components.

Thanks!

...Jim Thompson

I believe what you want is a gadget they don't make; that is a "transceiver"
designed to replace a wall switch. But the only X-10 transceiver I've found
is a wireless unit. When it receives an on or off command over the wireless
link, it sends it's X-10 on or off command into the electrical wiring of the
house. You preset the code you want the transceiver to send, for example,
A9.

I use one to control all my decorative neon. Each neon unit is controlled
by an X-10 switch module which is plugged into a power outlet. I set each
of 5 switch modules, and the transceiver, to the same code (ex. A9) so they
all turn on or off with a single command.

I use a similar arrangement to control the security lights.

Is this what you are after?

Don
 
J

Joerg

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello Jim,
I don't have "house codes"... I avoid high-tech crap like the
plague... I have no problem with light switches ;-)

We have some X10. It's not too reliable but it sure is nice to press the
button on the remote in the morning, doze off another 5 minutes and then
wake up to the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Or when we want to play
another round of ping-pong and need some light. No more having to run
inside for the switch.

Maybe I need to roll my own.

Those X10 keychain remotes might be a good start if you can kludge in a
relay or something. Or build a small transmitter on one of the lower
frequencies. It just can't be enclosed in metal.

Then there are the wireless door bells. Basically a little transmitter
gizmo but it needs low voltage AC (not a lot though). I bought one for
the backyard and the whole package was around $20 at Home Depot.

Powerline would be another option but I don't know the legal situation
there. IIRC X10 uses 120kHz. The driving circuit is remarkably simple,
only a little BJT and a tiny resonant circuit plus capacitor or so. If
you give it a unique modulation it might work. Maybe even plain vanilla
carrier on/off does.

Or make a chip ;-)

Regards, Joerg
 
E

ehsjr

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim said:
The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
someone who has not used them before.

What I want is very simple...

When Circuit A is activated by a conventional switch I want Circuit B
to be also activated.

When Circuit A is deactivated by a conventional switch I want Circuit
B to be also deactivated.

Circuit B only has a source of power but no conventional switching of
its own.

Seems there should be small "do-hickeys" that I could simply wire into
each junction box, but I'm having trouble zeroing-in on the right
components.

Thanks!

...Jim Thompson

X-10 has a partial solution. It does not match your requirements
precisely, and it requires adding a junction box to circuit B to
house an X-10 switch.
http://www.smarthome.com/2206.html
This is a 15 amp, X-10 controllable wall switch/relay that you
install in a standard j-box.

You could add this to Joerg's idea to come up with code compliant
solution.

I think that even if you roll your own, you'll need to add
a j-box to circuit B to house the relay. An option might be
to replace the first receptacle (if there is one) on circuit
B with your home made circuit or whth the X-10 wall sitch/relay.

Ed
 
J

John Fields

Jan 1, 1970
0
The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
someone who has not used them before.

What I want is very simple...

When Circuit A is activated by a conventional switch I want Circuit B
to be also activated.

When Circuit A is deactivated by a conventional switch I want Circuit
B to be also deactivated.

Circuit B only has a source of power but no conventional switching of
its own.

Seems there should be small "do-hickeys" that I could simply wire into
each junction box, but I'm having trouble zeroing-in on the right
components.

---
When you refer to a conventional switch, 'circuit A', 'circuit B',
and X-10, I assume you mean that you've got something like a wall
switch which operates, say, a lamp, and that you want that same
switch to also operate something else on a different circuit. Am I
right?
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
---
When you refer to a conventional switch, 'circuit A', 'circuit B',
and X-10, I assume you mean that you've got something like a wall
switch which operates, say, a lamp, and that you want that same
switch to also operate something else on a different circuit. Am I
right?

Precisely.

...Jim Thompson
 
K

Kevin

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim said:
The number of different X-10 components out there is overwhelming to
someone who has not used them before.

What I want is very simple...

When Circuit A is activated by a conventional switch I want Circuit B
to be also activated.

When Circuit A is deactivated by a conventional switch I want Circuit
B to be also deactivated.

Circuit B only has a source of power but no conventional switching of
its own.

Seems there should be small "do-hickeys" that I could simply wire into
each junction box, but I'm having trouble zeroing-in on the right
components.
....
This one is very similar to the one suggested by Joerg but is not part
of the security system line and just puts out an on or off to a
specific code on detecting a contact closure or low voltage signal.
This it could be integrated into an existing system more easily.

http://www.smarthome.com/4060.html

To make my units more reliable I had to put inductors (10-100uH) in
series with the line feed to various electronic items that have RFI
caps across the AC line or the signal was attenuated too much. I
usually put them in distribution boxes that are feeding the item in
question. Just recently I put plugged in a notebook computer in a new
location and the porch light does not work properly. I need to do
something about that one now.

kevin
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
You sorted that out very well. I was never patient enough to find the combo
of a transmitter and cover. I think I will add a security light switch
using that hardware.

Yep, That looks ideal for lots of different applications!

...Jim Thompson
 
J

John Fields

Jan 1, 1970
0
You sorted that out very well. I was never patient enough to find the combo
of a transmitter and cover. I think I will add a security light switch
using that hardware.
 
A

Al

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim Thompson said:
Thanks, John!

...Jim Thompson

Now this is the way the newsgroup should work. Someone is having
difficultly and someone in the group helps them solve their problem. No
snide remarks, no personal attacks, etc.

Al
 
J

John Fields

Jan 1, 1970
0
Now this is the way the newsgroup should work. Someone is having
difficultly and someone in the group helps them solve their problem. No
snide remarks, no personal attacks, etc.
 
Dear John,

It is seldom necessary to quote an entire unnecessarily quoted
congratulatory message simply to add a single line making fun of the
congratulator's spelling. :cool:

Jim
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Dear John,

It is seldom necessary to quote an entire unnecessarily quoted
congratulatory message simply to add a single line making fun of the
congratulator's spelling. :cool:

Jim

Nor to add a criticism ;-)

...Jim Thompson
 
J

John Fields

Jan 1, 1970
0
Dear John,

It is seldom necessary to quote an entire unnecessarily quoted
congratulatory message simply to add a single line making fun of the
congratulator's spelling. :cool:
 
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