Illiterate X-10 Question

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

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

Hello Jim,

Maybe one of these, plus a relay and a receiver module for whatever the other circuit is:

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

Hello Jim,

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.

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

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.

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

Precisely.

...Jim Thompson

... 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.

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

Thanks, John!

...Jim Thompson

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

Nor to add a criticism ;-)

...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

On Sun, 23 Oct 2005 11:13:41 -0500, John Fields wroth:

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. 8-)

Jim

On Sun, 23 Oct 2005 14:08:48 -0500, John Fields wroth:

Just wanted to return the favor you did me by recommending those battery guys at Progressive.

Jim