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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: PGR on June 06, 2010, 04:57:59 PM

Title: Change door/window sensor behavior or flip Powerflash output
Post by: PGR on June 06, 2010, 04:57:59 PM

What I'm trying to do is have a desk lamp go on when the garage door is open (so the security company guy doesn't have to remind me that it is open at 3:00 AM)  :P  I wired the sensor to the Powerflash module with the usual input B, mode 3 settings. 

The problem that I'm having is that both door/window sensors I've tried (X10 DS10A, Skylink WT43 which says on the package that it sends a signal when the door/window is opened) send a signal when the sensors are together but, I want a signal when they are apart.  I tried moving the sensor to connect when the door is open, but it doesn't open to exactly the same place every time so, that doesn't work. 

I don't want my computer on 24/7/365 just for this.  I might as well get into the habit of checking the garage door every time I turn off my computer. 

I read something about Normally Open (N.O.) vs. Normally Closed (N.C.) sensors.  Is there a sensor that sends a signal when the parts apart (N.C.?)?

Can you flip the output so that the sensor or Powerflash module sends a signal when they are apart?

I think a lot of people run into this.  Do you think the X10 Powerflash module makers could add a switch or jumper to flip the signal from off to on or on to off?  Then any sensor would work - no matter what the default behavior.

Any other ideas?

PGR

Title: Re: Change door/window sensor behavior or flip Powerflash output
Post by: HA Dave on June 06, 2010, 05:10:09 PM

Quote from: PGR on June 06, 2010, 04:57:59 PM

What I'm trying to do is have a desk lamp go on when the garage door is open ........ I wired the sensor to the Powerflash module with the usual input B, mode 3 settings. 

I read something about Normally Open (N.O.) vs. Normally Closed (N.C.) sensors.  Is there a sensor that sends a signal when the parts apart (N.C.?)?

Here's what you need:  http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=060-848
magnetic reed switches that... go both (ether) ways.

Then just connect the switch to the powerflash so you have a connection when the door is open.

Title: Re: Change door/window sensor behavior or flip Powerflash output
Post by: PGR on June 06, 2010, 05:24:27 PM

Cool!  Thank you very much!