X10 Community Forum

🛡Home Security => Problems and Troubleshooting => Topic started by: richard the 1st on February 03, 2005, 02:47:23 PM

Title: Siren PH508
Post by: richard the 1st on February 03, 2005, 02:47:23 PM
Need help for my siren alarm.

I have repeated problems with racoons and
coyotes and neighbors dogs raiding my place
killing my chickens. I have bought some
PH508 sirens and wish to activate them by
remote sensors. What I need is some
suggestion on how to proceed installing
sensors at distant locations to trigger the
siren close to the house. What kind of units
would be best to use? I have RR501 and TM751
and MS14's. I also would like to use a house
code exclusively for the alarm and be able
to activate-deactivate at any time.
Thanks
Title: Re: Siren PH508
Post by: Brian H on February 03, 2005, 04:36:08 PM
The PH508 needs a series of On-Off commands
to be triggered. Unlike most X10 modules it
will not trigger with a single On command
and Off with an Off command. I believe it is
4 sets of On Off commands on the House Unit
Code that triggers it and then it stops a
few seconds after the last On Off set is
sent. You may need to use a macro or
somtring that can be set to continously send
On Off commands untill reset. If you have a
remote or local controller you can test it
yourself. Just send repeated On Off commands
to the house and unit code the PH508 is set
to. remember it is LOUD so not too close
with the test.
Title: Re: Siren PH508
Post by: roger1818 on February 03, 2005, 05:07:56 PM
Hmm.  That is tough.  The PH508 is intended
for use with an X10 security system. It can
be triggered with an X10 House/Unit code,
but it requires a continuous stream of
on/off codes, otherwise it will turn off.
The shortest on/off cycle time of MS14 is 1
minute so you would only get short beeps.
I can think of a way of using a CM15a with
smart macros to generate an on/off cycle
for as long as you want, but that is
probably overkill and I am not sure how
well it would work.

My idea would be for the motion sensor to
turn trigger macro “M1 on” that does the
following:
- set flag 1
- turn the PH508 on
- wait the desired amount of time
- clear flag 1

Macro “M2 on” has the same address as the
PH508, is conditional on flag 1 being set
and does the following:
- turn the PH508 off
- turn the PH508 on
Macro M2 would be stuck in a loop until
macro M1 clears flag 1.
Title: Re: Siren PH508
Post by: SteveRF on February 03, 2005, 05:44:03 PM
I sure would NOT rely on a bunch of "looping
macros" etc to do that job. I would use a
single command to an appliance module and use
the appliance module to trip any standard
siren or alarm.  I would give serious thought
to turning it OFF too.... My neighbor,
although a bit over 800 feet from my home,
would not be happy with wailing siorens for
several hours...smile...
Since the CM15A seems to have a bit of macro
and timing trouble, I doubt if I would trust
sirens to "macro's and loops".
Regards,
Steve    
Title: Re: Siren PH508
Post by: Brian H on February 03, 2005, 06:21:17 PM
The appliance module and 120VAC siren or a
AC powered 12 volt supply and 12 volt siren
sound lots easier than a macro and a ? cm15a.
Title: Re: Siren PH508
Post by: Tom F. on February 03, 2005, 10:48:21 PM
The Powerflash interface is built to operate
the Powerhorn sirens.  Use a non-x10 switch
to short the leads on the Powerflash, which
will generate the series of On/Off codes
until the leads are seperated.
Title: Re: Siren PH508
Post by: Dick Lund on October 03, 2006, 04:56:04 PM

PH508
Hello

I have just purchased the x10 home security system.

I have added three ph508 in the house. I have a receptacle in a high pot shelf and when using the PSH02 siren it sounds but when I remove the small one and re arm I plug the PH508 in the same place and it will not sound. If I go to another receptacle and re arm and plug it in the other receptacle it will sound.

I contacted X10 support and they have no answer and ccould not give me any technical info.

What do I do now ?
Dick
Title: Re: Siren PH508
Post by: Brian H on October 04, 2006, 06:57:46 AM
On the PH508 vs PSC02. The outlet in question may have a very marginal X10 signal and the PSC02 maybe just more sensitive. If the PH508 didn't work in any outlet then it maybe DOA from X10.
Can you try maybe a lamp or appliance module in the questionable outlet as a test?
If it look like low signal fro your tests. We can give you pointers to troubleshooting.