X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: LittleLarry on September 12, 2008, 12:45:02 AM
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I thought it was ok to have 3 lamp modules all on the same house AND unit code, but this website suggests otherwise.
Is this correct, that you can't have for instance, 3 lamp modules (LM465's) all on the same house and unit code, and that they need to be different like the following document?
http://www.aboutdebian.com/x10.htm
"Remember that multiple modules can have the same House code, and multiple modules can have the same Unit code, but no two modules should have the same House and Unit codes. The combination of the two codes make up the address and each module needs a unique address. Typical X10 module addresses are A2, B15, C4, etc. I would recommend not using consecutive addresses. Space them apart such as A2, A4, A6, etc. "
If the above is true, it would explain a few things I guess. Just wondering if it is correct or not as it would mean you couldn't easily have the remote turn on 3 lamps with 1 button press (for instance if you only had a receiver with no AHP and 3 lamp modules). You would have to press 3 buttons, one for each lamp.
And also, what is the reason for spacing them apart and not having them consecutive as the document suggests?
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If you want three lamp modules to ALWAYS work in unison, then use the same house and unit codes. We do exactly that with almost a dozen modules for Christmas decorations.
The reason for skipping codes is that some X10 devices, such as the motion detectors, transmit on two sequential codes. As long as you understand what is being transmitted, there is no reason to skip alternate codes.
Jeff
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If you want three lamp modules to ALWAYS work in unison, then use the same house and unit codes. We do exactly that with almost a dozen modules for Christmas decorations.
The reason for skipping codes is that some X10 devices, such as the motion detectors, transmit on two sequential codes. As long as you understand what is being transmitted, there is no reason to skip alternate codes.
Jeff
That is what I want to accomplish, having the 3 lamps in unison (1 button to control all 3 at the same time for nice accent lighting - no reason to have them seperate as I always want all 3 to come on at the same time).
Good to know about the sensors, but also a little confusing. How does one know if the sensor they have is transmitting on 2 sequential codes or not? The sensors I have are the EagleEye MS14A units.
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You can pretty much assume that all X10 motion sensors use at least two addresses.
Assuming you set the motion sensor to "A1", It will send on address "A1" when it detects motion and it will send on address "A2" when the built-in light sensor switches between dusk and dawn light levels.
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Data on Motion Sensors:
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Comparison_of_All_Motion_Sensors
Looks like the MS16A Active Eye can be set to not do Dusk Dawn all the rest use it.
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/MS16A_Active_Eye_Motion_Sensor_Setup#Setting_The_Dawn.2FDusk_And_Motion_Detection_Mode
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I thought it was ok to have 3 lamp modules all on the same house AND unit code, but this website suggests otherwise.
[size=06pt]http://www.aboutdebian.com/x10.htm
"Remember that multiple modules can have the same House code, and multiple modules can have the same Unit code, but no two modules should have the same House and Unit codes. The combination of the two codes make up the address and each module needs a unique address. Typical X10 module addresses are A2, B15, C4, etc. I would recommend not using consecutive addresses. Space them apart such as A2, A4, A6, etc. "[/size]
Guess that Web Site link reinforces the "DON"T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ" saying. I believe your initial thoughts were right (and I have a Web Site too). I have often set two separate modules on the same code to achieve certain (similar) results.
Another trick I (and MANY others) use with the EagleEye motion detector is to disable the day/night detector. I just remove the four screws on the back of the unit, find the little photo cell like light detector, and cover it with a little hunk of electrical tape.