X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: Brandt on March 01, 2010, 06:06:38 PM

Title: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: Brandt on March 01, 2010, 06:06:38 PM
It seems as if a cheaper alternative than buying a 2-way x10 wall switch (since they come with insteon functionality) would be to go with an XPT ~15.99 ebay, XPx ~8.99 ebay, and SuperSocket ~10.99 ebay (for setups where the switch control a socket) = ~35, which is a whopping $10 cheaper than a 2-way Switchlinc....what do you guys think??
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: Brian H on March 01, 2010, 06:15:18 PM
If your not going to use the Insteon feature of the SwitchLinc and are X10 only. Why buy added features.
The only thing nice about the Switchlinc is you don't need a traveler wire between them.
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: Brandt on March 01, 2010, 06:45:19 PM
well yeah at the moment i don't need all that extra stuff....no insteon no scenes ( i can do scenes with my software). Although I think the switchlincs would be nicer for the common areas, I could save some money in the bedroom and other small areas this way.
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: Brandt on November 01, 2010, 02:13:11 PM
Just came across my old post.

Since I'm serious enough about this hobby, I have decided to purchase SwitchLincs for the common areas, and Leviton 16400 with appropriate keypads for the bed rooms (because the bedroom switches only control a receptacle, not a fixture). I may upgrade to KeypadLincs in the bedrooms at a later date...

-Brandt
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: JeffVolp on November 01, 2010, 07:07:11 PM

The 16400s are great control switches.  I use a bunch of them here, and there has not been one failure in 7 years.  I also use them just as status indicators.  One displays what the irrigation cycle will be on a daily basis in case I want to override it.  Another displays the state of the automated exterior lighting, again with the ability to override if necessary.  I don't think the X10 XPT has the LED display.  If you want a good price on the Leviton 16400, please contact me directly.

Leviton also makes transmit only and two-way "Decora" switches, but they may be more expensive than the SmartHome equivalents.  I have not had one failure of any of the Leviton DHC/X10 switches since we built here 7 years ago.  One even survived a "photoflash" incandescent burnout.

Jeff
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: Brandt on November 01, 2010, 07:34:46 PM
Could you explain how you over ride?
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: JeffVolp on November 02, 2010, 12:43:36 AM
Could you explain how you over ride?

The Leviton 16400 is essentially a wall-mounted Mini-Controller with LEDs that indicate the last X10 code that was either sent or received for each rocker switch.

Regarding the override, take my irrigation 16400 for example.  My controller lights the LEDs to indicate which zones are scheduled for irrigation on that day.  The controller will cycle those zones at the appropriate times.  If I want to change the schedule because we had rain or it is an especially warm day, I just toggle the appropriate buttons on the 16400 to inform the controller to alter the schedule for those zones.

The exterior light 16400 works more directly because each of the LEDs is set to the same house/unit code as the lights themselves.  So the LEDs mirror the state of the exterior lights.  If I want to turn some off, or turn others on because I heard a noise, I just press the appropriate button.  We have several exterior light 16400s located strategically throughout the house for easy local access.

Jeff
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: Mellowmark on November 02, 2010, 06:18:11 PM
Where can I  get the leviton 16400 for a good price.
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: Brandt on November 02, 2010, 06:24:46 PM
I walk into the Smarthome factory store and get them so I don't have to pay shipping :D

They may be the best price even with shipping.

EDIT: oh yeah and Jeff Volp
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: JeffVolp on November 02, 2010, 07:06:40 PM
Where can I  get the leviton 16400 for a good price.

Contact me directly by a PM or email.

Jeff
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: Brandt on November 02, 2010, 07:31:41 PM
Where can I  get the leviton 16400 for a good price.

Contact me directly by a PM or email.

Jeff

are they new/used?
Title: Re: 2-way wall switch alternative
Post by: JeffVolp on November 02, 2010, 07:58:37 PM
New overstock.

Jeff