X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: Kaulele on July 30, 2006, 06:42:50 PM

Title: Happy X10 User
Post by: Kaulele on July 30, 2006, 06:42:50 PM
I have been an X10 fan now for about 20 years and have enjoyed  the convenience very much.  Granted, I have had problems but have acquired enough troubleshooting experience to deal with whatever issue pops up - and most of the issues have been my fault, not the X10 equipment.  I live in a modest house on the Big Island of Hawai'i and would characterize my X10 system as relatively complex - a true X10-wired home.  This includes a security system with four cameras including the professional pan/tilt XC21A, contact and moition detection alarms and over 35 modules, all controlled by Active Home Pro on my laptop.  Oh, I've had the usual interference issues, inoperative modules, phase problem, etc. all of which I carefully worked through and solved by myself.  I even use Vanguard and Active Home Remote My House on the internet which can be slow at times but generally works great.  I think the biggest problem I have had is the door/window sensors in the security system which occasionally malfunction.  They are cheap enough to just replace - the postage being more to return the defective units.   Overall, the price for individual units and those that are on sale frequently is extremely reasonable.  The most expense item I have in my system is the Pro Pan/Tilt Camera for which I paid $499 and is now being offered at $299.  It was worth $499 in my opinion.  I have demonstrated my system to many neighbors and visitors most of whom now have X10 equipment themselves.  My recommendation, whenever you have a problem, is to carefully and logically go over the entire system asking yourself what changes on additions you have made in your house since the last time the system was working fine.  Yes, 2.4 ghz telephones play havoc with the security system, and that's why I switched to 5.8 ghz telephones.  I suddenly noticed about five light fixtures that stopped responding to X10 commands and narrowed it down to the battery charger in a new Black and Decker portable drill I had just purchased.  Well, a filter solved the problem with that (I use about 6 other filters in the house to eliminate problems).  So, am I happy with X10.  Yes, I am very happy with it.  It's cheap, fun to use, and very convenient.  Folks, just be patient and take a logical look at your system whenever you have problems.  Nothing's perfect in life you know!  Aloha!
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: dave w on July 31, 2006, 12:38:01 PM
Wonderful to hear X10 accolades and not a bunch of whining. As you have said, and I have echoed many times; X10 takes a little effort, but it is inexpensive and fun.
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: Dan Lawrence on July 31, 2006, 02:33:12 PM
I'm also a happy X10 user.  I've been using X10 since the DOS days, all the way through Active Home Pro. Virtually every room in my house is X10 equipped. The latest upgrade to AHP corrected the only problem I had, incorrect status of certain modules , which was a software problem, timers and my single macro always worked flawlessly.
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: TakeTheActive on July 31, 2006, 02:42:13 PM
GREAT *FIRST* POST!!! :)

dave w beat me to it, but it's still worth repeating that X-10 is INEXPENSIVE and FUN, taking a bit of 'learning' - WHINING NOT REQUIRED! ;)

My only comment, and it's meant in the MOST POSITIVE / CONSTRUCTIVE manner, is that I found your 'ONE paragraph' post difficult to read (YEAH, I'm an 'old fart with bifocals'.  8) )

I've also been playing with X-10 for ~30 years - YEAH dave w, I *KNOW* it's only 27½ or 28½; I like to ROUND (*AND* it takes a LOT of fingers, along with lifting up my glasses, to create the '½'  :P ). ;)

Just a few paragraphs, maybe something like the following, would help:


I have been an X10 fan now for about 20 years and have enjoyed  the convenience very much.  Granted, I have had problems but have acquired enough troubleshooting experience to deal with whatever issue pops up - and most of the issues have been my fault, not the X10 equipment. 

I live in a modest house on the Big Island of Hawai'i and would characterize my X10 system as relatively complex - a true X10-wired home.  This includes a security system with four cameras including the professional pan/tilt XC21A, contact and moition detection alarms and over 35 modules, all controlled by Active Home Pro on my laptop.  Oh, I've had the usual interference issues, inoperative modules, phase problem, etc. all of which I carefully worked through and solved by myself.  I even use Vanguard and Active Home Remote My House on the internet which can be slow at times but generally works great. 

I think the biggest problem I have had is the door/window sensors in the security system which occasionally malfunction.  They are cheap enough to just replace - the postage being more to return the defective units.   Overall, the price for individual units and those that are on sale frequently is extremely reasonable.  The most expense item I have in my system is the Pro Pan/Tilt Camera for which I paid $499 and is now being offered at $299.  It was worth $499 in my opinion.  I have demonstrated my system to many neighbors and visitors most of whom now have X10 equipment themselves. 

My recommendation, whenever you have a problem, is to carefully and logically go over the entire system asking yourself what changes on additions you have made in your house since the last time the system was working fine.  Yes, 2.4 ghz telephones play havoc with the security system, and that's why I switched to 5.8 ghz telephones.  I suddenly noticed about five light fixtures that stopped responding to X10 commands and narrowed it down to the battery charger in a new Black and Decker portable drill I had just purchased.  Well, a filter solved the problem with that (I use about 6 other filters in the house to eliminate problems). 

So, am I happy with X10.  Yes, I am very happy with it.  It's cheap, fun to use, and very convenient.  Folks, just be patient and take a logical look at your system whenever you have problems.  Nothing's perfect in life you know! 

Aloha!

P.S. Formatting (bold, color, etc...) is OPTIONAL! I'm just 'addicted' to it... :-[ ;)
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: Tuicemen on July 31, 2006, 07:02:55 PM
There definitely is a learning curve to this!   I can't remember when I started with this( not as long as TakeTheActive , maybe close to 20 years? ::) ??? ) and I'm still learning and having fun doing it! ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: dave w on August 01, 2006, 12:44:48 PM


I've also been playing with X-10 for ~30 years - YEAH dave w, I *KNOW* it's only 27½ or 28½; I like to ROUND (*AND* it takes a LOT of fingers, along with lifting up my glasses, to create the '½'  :P ). ;)

(YEAH, I'm an 'old fart with bifocals'.  8) ) .

Yeah, I am too. But I wear those little reading glasses and look up over the top of them. This leaves my hands free which permits the use of fingers for counting. Thus my ability to calculate that X10, "30 years ago" lived as a BSR turntable. Now if you owned the BSR Accutrac 4000, then I will begrudgingly conciede the "30 years" to you on a technicality. Some proof of ownership must be submitted for this concession.
Title: Re: Happy *=* OLD *=*X10 User! ;)
Post by: TakeTheActive on August 09, 2006, 02:52:31 PM

I've also been playing with X-10 for ~30 years - YEAH dave w, I *KNOW* it's only 27½ or 28½; I like to ROUND (*AND* it takes a LOT of fingers, along with lifting up my glasses, to create the '½'  :P ). ;)

(YEAH, I'm an 'old fart with bifocals'.  8) ) .

Yeah, I am too. But I wear those little reading glasses and look up over the top of them. This leaves my hands free which permits the use of fingers for counting...
...Some proof of ownership must be submitted for this concession.

BSR (Partial) GROUP SHOT (more IN SERVICE!):
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_GROUP.JPG)

BSR WALL SWITCHES REAR:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_WALL_WHT_V.JPG)

BSR & RS REMOTES:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_REMOTES_V.JPG)

BSR PACKAGING:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_BOXES.JPG)


Bring back any memories?  :(  :'(  ;)
Title: Re: Happy *=* OLD *=*X10 User! ;)
Post by: steven r on August 09, 2006, 03:18:57 PM

BSR & RS REMOTES:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_REMOTES_V.JPG)

Bring back any memories?  :(  :'(  ;)

I believe I recall that BSR remote. Wasn't it ultra sonic?
Title: Re: Happy *=* OLD *=*X10 User! ;)
Post by: TakeTheActive on August 09, 2006, 04:19:25 PM

BSR & RS REMOTES:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_REMOTES_V.JPG)

Bring back any memories?  :(  :'(  ;)

I believe I recall that BSR remote.

Whaddaya mean 'recall'?!?  Why aren't you still using it???  :o

Wasn't it ultra sonic?

(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR-SEARS_ULTRASONIC_TOP.JPG)

(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR-SEARS_ULTRASONIC_FRONT.JPG)

(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_CONSOLES.JPG)

(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/DS7000_V.JPG)

Mine *STILL* work!  :)

ALONG WITH THE BSR TIMER:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_TIMER_FLASH.JPG)

(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BSR_TIMER_DIGITS.JPG)

My *favorite* feature of this TIMER is the 1 - 2 hour 'delay'!  :)

[I can turn on the AC behind it for 1 or 2 hours and the TIMER will shut it off - operation is like a Clock-Radio - you press SLEEP once or twice! :D]

THE EARLY MINI-CONTROLLER HAD KEYHOLE SLOTS ON THE BACK:
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/BR_HEADBOARD.JPG)
So, I mounted it (and a small telephone) behind the door of the compartment in the bed's headboard!  :)
Title: Re: Happy *=* OLD *=*X10 User! ;)
Post by: steven r on August 09, 2006, 04:30:23 PM
...Why aren't you still using it???...
Might of lost it in a move but I believe it and/or its remote finally died.
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: Don N on August 09, 2006, 05:15:46 PM
Gee, I walked to school barefooted and uphill both ways ... can I join the old geezer group too????   Sorry I couldn't resist.  As most have said already, a little patience and some trial and error goes a long way in having fun with this stuff.  Just like life itself.
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: TakeTheActive on August 09, 2006, 07:40:08 PM
... can I join the old geezer group too????   Sorry I couldn't resist...

SMILE when you say that, partner!  >:(

P.S. I don't see any 'Smiling' [ :)  ;)  :D  ;D ] smilie in your post?!?  ???  :o

 8)
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: Charles Sullivan on August 09, 2006, 08:43:11 PM
Wow, TakeTheActive, you really ARE a Senior Member!!!   :-)

 I'm impressed with your collection!!!  Did you acquire the components new at the time or have you been picking up antiques on eBay?

My antique collection (acquired new at the time) consists only of a CP290 and one each of the sidewheel Lamp and Appliance Modules.

What's the story on the Sears "Ultrasonic" controller?




Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: TakeTheActive on August 09, 2006, 09:37:39 PM
Wow, TakeTheActive, you really ARE a Senior Member!!!   :-)

What? You didn't believe me?  ???

I'm impressed with your collection!!!  Did you acquire the components new at the time or have you been picking up antiques on eBay?

Collection?   Antiques??   eBay???  :o :o :o

What are you talking about? This is *MY* Current Setup!!  NEW! Of course!!

But, I am getting tired of taking pictures tonight! <WHEW!> [Certainly clobbered the TOTAL HOURS ONLINE counter today, huh?  :D ]

There's also a pair of the RS Security Systems (the first one that plugged into the wall like a 4-horn siren) that I gave to my son, a pair of GE HomeMinders that I finally threw out (both blew their video drivers - wasn't 'cost-effective' to repair with the CM11A already in service; or was it the TW-523 on the IBM PC running my 'custom' GWBASIC program with the Votrax RS-232 Speech Synthesizer?), the HeathKit SL-5320 (before the PR511 - hardwired to HC 'C'), and a few early RR501s (the ones that *ONLY* did 1-8 *OR* 9-16; I have 1 Stanley - my son has the rest.)

My antique collection (acquired new at the time) consists only of a CP290 and one each of the sidewheel Lamp and Appliance Modules.

HOW ABOUT HIS RS TRS-80 COLOR COMPUTER 'BUDDY':
(http://www.geocities.com/taketheactive/Images/CP290_N_RS_COCO.JPG)

Ah. Another "Youngster", from the "just this guy" / -Bill- (of BXVC) era?

What's the story on the Sears "Ultrasonic" controller?

As to???  ??? Grill, transducer, clicking sounds, line-of-sight...

BTW, just to be sure you know, I'm kidding with you above! :)  [Remember what happened "that other time", eh?  :o  :-[ ]
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: Charles Sullivan on August 09, 2006, 10:27:15 PM
TTA:
>"As to???  Huh Grill, transducer, clicking sounds, line-of-sight..."

Did it talk directly to modules or to a powerline trnansceiver?

>"BTW, just to be sure you know, I'm kidding with you above! Smiley  [Remember what happened "that other time", eh?  Shocked  Embarrassed ]

Kidding with respect to the ultrasonic?   Or something else?   I don't remember much anymore :-(



Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: TakeTheActive on August 09, 2006, 10:34:16 PM
>"As to???  Huh Grill, transducer, clicking sounds, line-of-sight..."

Did it talk directly to modules or to a powerline trnansceiver?

I works just like if you got up off the sofa and pushed the console buttons directly; Ultrasonic Remote -> Ultrasonic Maxi-Controller -> PLC -> Modules

>"BTW, just to be sure you know, I'm kidding with you above! Smiley  [Remember what happened "that other time", eh?  Shocked  Embarrassed ]

Kidding with respect to the ultrasonic?   Or something else?   I don't remember much anymore :-(

No. Everything *ABOVE* the As to??? - I purposely didn't use any HAPPY SMILIES until the end! [I was making a joke, but, it's not funny *IF* I have to explain it! :) ]
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: Duck69 on August 10, 2006, 11:53:43 PM
  ;D Kaulele, It's great to hear from a X10 happy-camper. I myself am one and I am having a really fun time playing /learning this stuff.  ;D

Don n, I really don't know what the requirements are to belong to the Old Geezers Group.
 ;D However, I believe #1) You'd have to have been using X10 for quite some time.
#2) Drink your coffee with Brandy in it. and #3) Sleep on the right side of the bed.  ;D

 ;D "Gee, I walked to school barefooted and uphill both ways ... can I join the old geezer group too?"
You forgot "and in Snow 2' deep".  ;D ;D

jim
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: Don N on August 11, 2006, 12:39:21 AM
Otis69 ... As to
"However, I believe #1) You'd have to have been using X10 for quite some time.
#2) Drink your coffee with Brandy in it. and #3) Sleep on the right side of the bed."

Is two out of three good enough?
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: Duck69 on August 11, 2006, 12:50:15 AM
;D You Betcha ! 2 out of 3 is excellent as I think there's really only 2 anyway.  ;D
Sure have learned a lot from those Old geezers in the short time I've been using X10.
Otis69
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: JimC on August 11, 2006, 07:01:07 AM
TakeTheActive,

Thanks for sharing the photo's with us. They sure did bring back some old memories. I bet you even remember life before TV or at least before color TV, and tube radios with analog tuning. ;D ;) :)
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: steven r on August 11, 2006, 09:05:21 AM
...I bet you even remember life before TV or at least before color TV, and tube radios with analog tuning....
I think my dad was the last one on the block to buy a color TV and he had a tube shortwave radio that we used to sync our watches.
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: JimC on August 11, 2006, 09:24:41 AM
Quote
he had a tube shortwave radio that we used to sync our watches

I still have a tube short wave radio that is a peace of furniture. I also have a telegraph key that was used in the late 1800's.
 Before you ask, NO I did not use it back then. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: dave w on August 11, 2006, 12:32:05 PM
TaketheActive (stern reply follows)
Sorry, this rather meager display of "X10 in brown plastic" does not constitute a valid submission for consession of owning X10 "technology" for 30 years. As noted in my original post, this consession will only be granted if proof of ownership of the BSR Accu-Trac 4000 is submitted. The submittal is rejected. ;)

Having said that, I gotta admit there is one item in stack that I have never seen: The four button ultra sonic remote from Radio Shark is a new one on me. That is cool.
BTW I have many of the same "customized socket" version appliance module, that you have setting on the battery storage box in the first picture... :D

Is the black and white object to the right of the appliance module a wall controller? Who made it?

(Insert SFX: groveling, humility, and light sobbing)

Finally, what are the two open cased units below and to right of your battery box. They look too big and code wheels are not right for newer app/lamp modules, the code wheels do not look right for X10 2-way modules. Are they modules from the old Regency Regulator system? If they are"Regulators", I bet they do not work...neither do mine.

You have stumped me, and are now sitting on top of my pedestal, having toppled Phil Kingery (this is only a temporary dethroning, Phil and I are friends, and he would be mortified to know he has been toppled. He will probably be re-instated by tomorrow)    :D

Great collection - Thanks for sharing!!!

W ' wax


Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: TakeTheActive on August 28, 2006, 11:29:22 AM
Thanks for sharing the photo's with us. They sure did bring back some old memories.

How about the REST of you "Old-Timers" - doesn't anyone else own a digital camera?  :o

[Mine is an HP *1.3* MP; Bought it for my wife (who, IMO, kept / keeps wasting money on those 'disposable ' cardboard cameras  :( ), but, like all things 'technical ' she refused to use it. [*ALL* recently changed to MOST - I bought her a TINY 1GB SanDisk MP3 player for her birthday and put at least 10 of her favorite CDs on it - she has no concept of the Menu System, or how the CDs got into it, but she uses it daily! :) Also gave her 2 AAAs (it only uses *ONE*!) and the FAR RS/Ravovac Charger, so she's 'self-sufficient '! ;)]

Come on and post some pictures of 'interesting stuff' you've done (like the Mini-Controller in the headboard?). We can have a "Fun & Nonsense" Nostalgia thread now and then.  ;D

I bet you even remember life before TV or at least before color TV, and tube radios with analog tuning. ;D ;) :)

I remember when I was in the 'single-digit' years, my grandparents had one of those TVs with the almost circular screen and a radio that was about 3' tall and stood on the floor, my aunt had a 78 RPM *ONLY* record player with LOADS of Big Band tunes.

In my teens, I remember buying a RED / GREEN / BLUE transparency filter that you placed over your B/W TV screen to get "COLOR" - I watched the "First Run" episodes of Star Trek that way!  :D
Title: Re: Happy X10 User
Post by: TakeTheActive on August 28, 2006, 11:57:24 AM
dave w,

[Sorry for the LONG DELAY in replying to your questions here. I had always intended to answer them right away, but you may recall, "something " happened a while back that denied me access to some of the Technical Forums for almost two weeks.]

TaketheActive (stern reply follows)
Sorry, this rather meager display of "X10 in brown plastic" does not constitute a valid submission for consession of owning X10 "technology" for 30 years. As noted in my original post, this consession will only be granted if proof of ownership of the BSR Accu-Trac 4000 is submitted.
The submittal is rejected.[/b] ;)

:'(  :'(  :'(  :'(  :'(   . . . s n i f f . . .

BTW I have many of the same "customized socket" version appliance module, that you have setting on the battery storage box in the first picture... :D

Yeah, that used to control a vaporizer - the current demands were *WAY* under it's ratings, but for some 'unknown to me ' reason, the vaporizer plug and the module socket developed this GREEN corrosion / crystalized coating, increasing the resistance and thus producing CONCENTRATED heat!  :o

Is the black and white object to the right of the appliance module a wall controller? Who made it?

Leviton HCC2D '2-Way DHC Control With Intellisense '

(Insert SFX: groveling, humility, and light sobbing)

Finally, what are the two open cased units below and to right of your battery box. They look too big and code wheels are not right for newer app/lamp modules, the code wheels do not look right for X10 2-way modules. Are they modules from the old Regency Regulator system? If they are"Regulators", I bet they do not work...neither do mine.

You have stumped me, and are now sitting on top of my pedestal, having toppled Phil Kingery[/b] (this is only a temporary dethroning, Phil and I are friends, and he would be mortified to know he has been toppled. He will probably be re-instated by tomorrow)    :D

RadioShack SOUNDER-ACTUATOR MODULEs: (surprised? disappointed??)

The one in the back has Code-Wheel problems - doesn't respond on the HouseCode / UnitCode combo that's displayed. The WIPER on one of the wheels "fell off "  ::)

The one in the front has Audio Output problems - one night it started SCREECHING and I had to unplug it; after that, it was MUTE. If you can enlarge the picture and look VERY CLOSELY at the top right corner, you'll see an EXPLODED transistor - does anyone know a PART NUMBER for me?

Great collection - Thanks for sharing!!!

Glad you enjoyed it!

Like I just said to JimC,

"Got a digital camera? How about taking some pictures??"  ;)