X10 Community Forum

💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: autobot_Prime on January 28, 2009, 07:03:35 AM

Title: New to X10. help!
Post by: autobot_Prime on January 28, 2009, 07:03:35 AM
Hey guys,
   I am sure this has been asked before but, I want to automate my house. I want to get that home pro software i think it is. I want to be able to set it up and have it show me what is on in my house and what isn't. do I need special devices for this? I though I read somewhere i did(transmit as well as recieve) I eventually want to use BVC too. Looks awesome (way to go Bill). I have been watching utube on x 10 stuff looks very interesting. I bought all my stuff off ebay, I hope i bought the right stuff.I  Have play very little and what I have done I am impressed. I just want to save money in my electric bill. The kids leave their lights on all the time!!! GGRRRR! Would love to be able to tell system to shut off any light in rooms it doesn't detect movement in. Any help would be greatly appereciated.
   Dan :)
Title: Re: New to X10. help!
Post by: HA Dave on January 28, 2009, 08:22:43 AM
Quote from: autobot_Prime on January 28, 2009, 07:03:35 AM

  • I want to automate my house.
  • I want to get that home pro software i think it is.
  • I want to be able to set it up and have it show me what is on in my house and what isn't. do I need special devices for this?  
  • I eventually want to use BVC too. Looks awesome (way to go Bill).
  • I just want to save money in my electric bill.
  • The kids leave their lights on all the time!!! GGRRRR! Would love to be able to tell system to shut off any light in rooms it doesn't detect movement in.


I have been watching utube on x 10 stuff looks very interesting. I bought all my stuff off ebay, I hope i bought the right stuff.

Welcome to the Forum! An impressive list autobot_Prime (Dan) you've put together there. I re-organized it to make it easier for me to go through.

It easy to automate a house... since there isn't any real standards as what that really means. Many of us have found the automating becomes a lifestyle/hobby/on-going project. The good news is... it's a heck of a lot of fun too. I think you want/need/mentioned AHP. Active Home Pro is a software that uses the CM15A interface. They are sold together at the X10.com porn site with the entire software suite for $49.99 with free shipping. Before you spend more on Ebay... sign-up for X10's newsletter (but don't open at work) the X10 deals are really the best values.

By "have the system show what is on and what isn't"... is a little more complex... it is do-able but lets save that for later. X10 is known for being able to be controlled from anywhere in the world. X10 can be great for turning off all the lights after the parents go to work and kids go to school. Occupancy (motion) sensors are a standard for turning lights off.

BVC (http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm) is cool. As far as I am concerned... Voice Control is the apex of Home Automation. You might have seen one of my BVC YouTube Video's (http://www.youtube.com/suitmanIM). I am a big fan of BVC (http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm).

There is so much that can be done with Home Automation... it can add convenience, security, safety, and fun to everyday life.
Title: Re: New to X10. help!
Post by: Tuicemen on January 28, 2009, 09:02:22 AM
autobot_Prime  
Welcome aboard!
Every thing is do able and more.
The best advice I can give Is read!
Take the first couple of threads from each section they are usually stickies and contain valuable information collected over the years!
Reading them and the links provided in them will turn you into an expert in no time!
 >!
Title: Re: New to X10. help!
Post by: dellzip on January 28, 2009, 04:50:36 PM
Quote from: autobot_Prime on January 28, 2009, 07:03:35 AM
Hey guys,
   I am sure this has been asked before but, I want to automate my house. I want to get that home pro software i think it is. I want to be able to set it up and have it show me what is on in my house and what isn't. do I need special devices for this? I though I read somewhere i did(transmit as well as recieve) I eventually want to use BVC too. Looks awesome (way to go Bill). I have been watching utube on x 10 stuff looks very interesting. I bought all my stuff off ebay, I hope i bought the right stuff.I  Have play very little and what I have done I am impressed. I just want to save money in my electric bill. The kids leave their lights on all the time!!! GGRRRR! Would love to be able to tell system to shut off any light in rooms it doesn't detect movement in. Any help would be greatly appereciated.
   Dan :)
I was way confused myself at first but its not that bad...
Title: Re: New to X10. help!
Post by: autobot_Prime on January 28, 2009, 09:39:00 PM
Thanks Guys!!,
   Yes I am very confused but, I hope I can figure it out. I want alittle automation at home to help with things. I have knowledge in industrial Automation. I work for Rockwell Automation as a systems tester. We make low voltage Motor control centers. From 208v to 690v. I hope x10 software is as easy as our Intellicenter software. I have heard x 10 is as limited as you imagination. I hope to think up some new uses for x10 items. I have several ideas on what I would like now. Yes I do need to read some stuff. Just was having a hard time finding info on it. I just found this forum this morning and am hoping it can answer some questions for me. Being patient enough to read is not a strong point for me  ;D However I will do my best lol. Wish me luck! Thanks again, Dan

 >!
Title: Re: New to X10. help!
Post by: HA Dave on January 28, 2009, 09:43:09 PM
Quote from: autobot_Prime on January 28, 2009, 09:39:00 PM
......... I have heard x 10 is as limited as you imagination.

I beleive that myself!