X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Topic started by: Pdozie on April 20, 2011, 09:38:54 AM
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Hello good people,
Just placed orders for x10 products (first ever). Took advantage of the promo and got AHP (shipping with CM19A though - no CM15)
Fist of all I've gone through a lot of write ups dating down to 2009 and beyond. One striking thing is the consistency in the support given by some sets of people till date. That is the likes of Brain, Dan Law, Noam, Knightrider, Dave_x10, Dave w and many others. Guys this is a selfless service you give and really I pray you get your deserved rewards.
Again I believe some of the questions has been answered. Actually my head is a bit confused having gone through a lot of write-ups. Do refer me to the right link if you will be duplicating efforts in replying:
1. I'm shipping the x10 products to Nigeria. Here we use 220v power (not 110v). X10 confirmed they don't have 220V products yet. It means I have to arrange for step down transformers/converters. Question is do I expect to have phase distortion issues/coupling issues? And would the step down transformers have any impact to signal?
2. My neighborhood is being burgled almost on daily basis. My house has been burgled 2 times in 1 month. Which is why I searched and found X10 community. My target is to have secrity system that will deter intruders and if not at least give me evidence (video or photo) of who broke in. So I got the follwing package: (DS10A, KR10A, LM465, MS10A, SC1200, CM19A,IN80A, PR511 (flood light motion), SC546A+SS13A (want to use as door bell), TM751, VR36A, XX20A-). Hope I didnt over-buy :)
Question is are these enough to meet my target?
2a. I want the XX20A to record on motion and also show on a TV if one is at the gate. Also intend having the SS13A switch as door bell. Will it be an overkill since I may be able to use AHP to configure the XX20A (camera) to trigger the CHIME.
3. Can the MS10A (motion sensor) be installed outdoor. Will like to have it close to the fence so it can, as much as possible, deter intruder before coming closer to house? if it cannot any suggestion?
4. What do you advice; security wise, is it better to have the floodlights on all night or to may be, configure it to flash at intervals before day break.
5. I've downloaded the following: Not sure I need to install all of them. Please help confirm:
sw31a_setup_ahp: Believe this is basic AHP software. 1st to be installed
sw26a_vanguard: Not sure if I need this
sw32a_smartmacro: Believe I need it if using XX20A to trigger CHIME (2a above) is feasble
iWatchOut: Not sure exactly what it does
sw39a_onalert: Not sure exactly what it does
Apologies if I've asked too many questions in one post...
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Question is do I expect to have phase distortion issues/coupling issues? And would the step down transformers have any impact to signal?
So I got the follwing package: (DS10A, KR10A, LM465, MS10A, SC1200, CM19A,IN80A, PR511 (flood light motion), SC546A+SS13A (want to use as door bell), TM751, VR36A, XX20A-).
Thank for the kind acknowlegement of we "hardcore" X10 users.
I only feel comfortable addressing your initial question.
Many of the items in your X10 purchase depends on communication taking place over your homes powerlines. i.e. LM465, PR511. Also the TM751 and SC1200 receive RF (radio frequency) signals from wireless RF senders (DS10, MS10, KR10, SS13, etc) and outputs signals on the powerline to control lights, alarms, switching ON or OFF wireless cameras, Wall Switches, Lamp and Appliance Modules, etc. These powerline signals are digital pulses which do not transfer through a step down transformer easily (probably closer to reality to just say "not at all"). This is not easy to solve. My first though would be to use a passive phase coupler to "jump" the X10 signal across the step down transformer, but I do not know that the X10 Pro XPCP is safe for 220V.
This may be a big problem. Your 220V power, is it 60Hz or 50Hz?
Marmitek http://www.marmitek.com/en/ sell 230V 50Hz X10 units, but I do not think they will work at 60Hz. More to come.
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#1 Yes I would expect power line signal problems with a step down transformer or a converter.
Some converters just have a diode in them to use half the AC. They would not work with X10 devices.
Step down transformers may not couple the X10 power line signals very well.
Your country is 50Hz and we are 60Hz power line frequency.
Not sure what some X10 modules may do running on 50Hz.
Though not as inexpensive as X10 USA. There are European X10 manufacturers that make 220 volt devices. As dave mentioned.
Also our RF frequency is 310 MHz overseas units are 433.92 Mhz. Modules from here will work with modules from here but not ones made for overseas countries. Not sure if your country would have a probelm with you using 310 MHz signals.
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First of all, I've never had a friend from Nigeria before, so I'm deeply honored. Second of all, it's not all selfless (my contributions). I'm feeling pretty good right now having my name mentioned with the above company.
I, too, concur that the transformer would kill the x10 signal. I think Ido Bartanna has documented 220 conversions to most of the older style modules.
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Unfortunately the SC1200 has a power 120 volt power transformer in the wall wart supply. That also has the power line transmitter in it.
Yes that is where I adjusted mine from 123KHz to 120KHz power line transmit frequency.
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Many thanks guys. I have no doubt now that I made a wrong move buying before posting here. I actually asked one of x10 agents during a live chat (specifically wether they have 220v appliancesto be used in areas using 220v) and she said No; that I will have to buy a converter. One would have thought at that point that she will discourage me or paint the right picture to me.
Unfortunately I've ordered $346 worth of appliance en-route to me now!! Bad investment.
Have to chek out the site suggested by Dave and see how it goes. Now demoralised. Hope I get ship the items back to x10 and get some refunds.
Thanks all
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Well there also is an X10 European web site that sells 240 volt stuff.
http://www.x10europe.com/
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Thanks Brian. Checking out most of the sites. Few I've seen are selling the products individually and not a 'solution'. I guess I will go ahead andtake the orders from x10. Take some of the items there that are only battery powered and keep the rest in the store :(
I hope I will be able to integrate any other product I buy else where with the ones I will retain from the order. E.g if I manage to get a security console & CM15A elsewhere, it should be able to work with the AHP & other consoles like motion sensors & door sensors.
Your take?
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I remember reading somewhere here that the wireless frequencies used are different for the European devices. Even the battery-powered wireless components might not work with the European system.
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Thanks Noam. Guess I'm done for :(
Too bad
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Just a thought....if you were to run a single 15 amp 110 volt "security" circuit you would be able to stay with the X10 products,salvage what you paid for and avoid mixing and matching. The RF sensors will work fine with the Sc1200. What I propose is to feed the new circuit from a stepdown transformer 220 -110 volt at 2 kva. Such a transformer would have all the powerline X10 devices on the secondary side and should work unless the supply frequency is an issue. It would easily feed the horns,cameras, and lights that would be needed. Adding a circuit is not really all that big a job depending on how your home is constructed. Your situation described re frequency of breakins would seem to warrant an investment in deterrence?
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Thanks lodtrack.
I've just finished conversing with x10 agent. I'm returning all the products for a refund.
Besides, Its not been long we survived a fire scare from electrical wiring. So I'm honestly not ready to toy with that now.
I remember reading somewhere here that the wireless frequencies used are different for the European devices. Even the battery-powered wireless components might not work with the European system.
You are right on this. Just confirmed it witrh X10 agent too.
Well there also is an X10 European web site that sells 240 volt stuff.
http://www.x10europe.com/
Thanks again. got other sites too (http://x10modules.com/shop/) but all selling more expensive that x10 USA. Guess I will have to stick with one of them and be buying/adding modules gradually.
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Just a thought....if you were to run a single 15 amp 110 volt "security" circuit you would be able to stay with the X10 products,salvage what you paid for and avoid mixing and matching. The RF sensors will work fine with the Sc1200. What I propose is to feed the new circuit from a stepdown transformer 220 -110 volt at 2 kva. Such a transformer would have all the powerline X10 devices on the secondary side and should work unless the supply frequency is an issue. It would easily feed the horns,cameras, and lights that would be needed. Adding a circuit is not really all that big a job depending on how your home is constructed. Your situation described re frequency of breakins would seem to warrant an investment in deterrence?
The user will still have a problem because the X10 USA modules are designed to work on 60 Hz power, while he has 50 Hz power. Stepping the 220V down to 110 won't change the frequency.
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should work unless the supply frequency is an issue.
I was not sure of the frequency in Nigeria. A moot point now as he is returning the equipment. When I was in Greece, a friend had some North American equipment fed from a 220 volt to 12 volt dc supply feeding an inverter outputting 110 volts at 60 hz. An expensive way around the problem.
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This is one of those scratch your head and wonder questions. ???
I don't think NTSC standard video cams will even pretend to work at 50Hz or with PAL TVs. But I wonder about the simple control stuff like TM751s controlling Appliance, Lamp, etc Modules. Since all are driven by the zero cross point, do they have enough slop to work at 50 Hz?
One of those - not very important - inquiring minds questions.
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Many of the X10 Mod sites show how to convert our 120 volt units to 240 volts. Many of the converts are on 50 Hz. I would expect the simple zero crossing types maybe fine. Just longer for a message to be sent.
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On after thought I decided to return only one order and keep the rest ( both still on the road though :D)
I guess I may not be able to test and feedback to Dave as TM751 is not part of the order I retained. Below is the list of the contents in the order I retained:
8 Door/Window Sensor DS10A
2 Security Keychain Remote KR10A
1 Lamp Module LM465
4 Security Surveillance Decal MM024
2 Wireless Motion Sensor MS10A
1 SECURITY/HOME AUTOMATION REMOTE CONTROL PSR01
1 Voice Dialer Security Console SC1200
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The SC1200's power supply will have to be used on a step down transformer. From 220 to 120 volts.
Here are some links for some helpful hints:
http://www.redoak.co.uk/hpx10240v.html
http://www.redoak.co.uk/hpxgenmod.html
Note they show how to add a capacitor from the 120 volt to 220 volt lines to help couple the X10 into the power lines.
The LM465 is also going to need modifications to run on the 220 volts.
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SPLENDID!!!!!!
Thanks Brian! I will try the transformer-capacitor solution with the SC1200. If it works, it may well be back to business with x10 USA!!
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It may depend on how the SC1200s power supply like to run on 50Hz.
I have no data on the clock function in the SC1200. If it uses the power line frequency as a timing signal. The clock may run 10% slow.
It will be interesting to read of your findings.
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Please what is your understanding of this:
"However, if a 0.47 microfarad capacitor is placed across the 230V and 115V windings, this allows the X-10 signals to pass backwards and forwards through the auto-transformer"
Does it mean having two of the capacitors, one at the input end (220V) before it feeds the transformer, and the other at the output end before it feeds the appliance?
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The example was for an Autoformer. Where there is one winding. The 220 volts goes across the full winding and the 120 volts comes out the tap about half way from the top. The neutral of both the 220 volts and the 120 volts are a common connection.
Diagram of an Autoformer on this page.
http://www.redoak.co.uk/hpxgenmod.html
If you get a full transformer where it has a separate 220 volt and 120 volt winding. That will be different and I will have to see if I can find more data.
Also I recommend if you can find one. Get a capacitor rated to be used on an AC power line.
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Thanks ...
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Also stumbled on this link... http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/modifying_computer_interface.htm
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Yes basically it is the same information from the other source.
I believe they picked a different value capacitor.