X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: johnsti on January 10, 2015, 12:40:25 PM

Title: Need a new floodlight
Post by: johnsti on January 10, 2015, 12:40:25 PM: Since the x10 floodlight is no longer available is there a transceiver that can be used to retrofit a motion sensor floodlight?
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: joe s. on January 10, 2015, 01:35:25 PM: Something like this might fit inside the fixture/electrical box - depending on it's size:

http://www.authinx.com/manuals/X10/XPFM.pdf
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: johnsti on January 10, 2015, 01:40:51 PM: It doesn't appear to be 2 way. I need a to transmit x10 commands as well when motion is detected.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: joe s. on January 10, 2015, 03:34:47 PM: I misunderstood your requirement. Afraid I don't know of anything obvious - I use motion sensors & software to control mine.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: Brian H on January 10, 2015, 04:04:49 PM: You are trying to replace the functions of this X10 Dual Floodlight?
http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Dual_Floodlight_Motion_Detector
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: johnsti on January 10, 2015, 04:09:54 PM: That is correct. To be able to trigger a macro and respond.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: Brian H on January 10, 2015, 04:33:55 PM: Thank you for the information.
I will see if I can find something.
On and Off like a relay type or do you prefer a dimmer?
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: johnsti on January 10, 2015, 05:18:01 PM: No need for a dimmer and now I run 2 led floods it only needs to handle 50 watts
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: Brian H on January 11, 2015, 09:15:02 AM: We use to recommend an Insteon MicroModule or DIN Rail Module. As both have a 120 volt AC sensing input and could have an X10 Primary Address added to them.

I don't think they maybe suitable anymore. Nothing official from Smarthome or Smartlabs. X10 signaling no longer appears on the sales pages and unofficial information from anonymous sources. Say X10 is phased out of the latest revisions.

I am still going to be looking for other solutions and there are other smart X10 users that may also have a solution.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: bkenobi on January 11, 2015, 10:30:04 PM: It's a bit ugly since it requires several components, but I was using a standard motion sensor that did not have a relay output with a relay and a power flash. If you found one with relay output, you could simplify.

The configuration would be a standard light fixture controlled by a motion sensor. The same output from the motion sensor could be hooked up to a 120VAC relay to control a contact closure on the PF which could then trigger your other lights. The big downside of this is packaging in that you don't end up with a nice compact outdoor compatible installation. On the up side, you have a much greater selection of motion sensors and can pick one that meets your needs. I can't find the one I am using (Heath's site is terrible for finding exact product). I bought a replacement sensor at Home Depot for ~$20. It was a 240 or 270 degree unit with "Creep Zone" and Boost. Basically, that just gives a down facing sensor and picks up motion out to 100'.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: johnsti on January 13, 2015, 07:52:29 AM: Quote from: bkenobi on January 11, 2015, 10:30:04 PM
It's a bit ugly since it requires several components, but I was using a standard motion sensor that did not have a relay output with a relay and a power flash. If you found one with relay output, you could simplify.

The configuration would be a standard light fixture controlled by a motion sensor. The same output from the motion sensor could be hooked up to a 120VAC relay to control a contact closure on the PF which could then trigger your other lights. The big downside of this is packaging in that you don't end up with a nice compact outdoor compatible installation. On the up side, you have a much greater selection of motion sensors and can pick one that meets your needs. I can't find the one I am using (Heath's site is terrible for finding exact product). I bought a replacement sensor at Home Depot for ~$20. It was a 240 or 270 degree unit with "Creep Zone" and Boost. Basically, that just gives a down facing sensor and picks up motion out to 100'.

Thanks for the idea.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: Brian H on January 13, 2015, 09:43:04 AM: The Motion Sensor triggering a 120 volt relay and a PowerFlash will send an X10 command when turning On and Off.
You would not be able to turn it On and Off with an X10 power line command.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: bkenobi on January 13, 2015, 10:51:45 AM: Quote from: Brian H on January 13, 2015, 09:43:04 AM
The Motion Sensor triggering a 120 volt relay and a PowerFlash will send an X10 command when turning On and Off.
You would not be able to turn it On and Off with an X10 power line command.

That is correct. It will function as a motion sensor, but it will not be controlled by X10 PLC or RF. If you need that functionality, you would need to add some kind of X10 module to the light and have the motion sensor controlled PF on the same HU as the light.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: lviper on January 13, 2015, 12:01:42 PM: Couldn't you simply use an in-line x10 module on any standard floodlight and a ms16a motion sensor? Set the motion sensor to the same HC and UC as the in-line module and the motion would turn the light on and off. You would also need a wireless transceiver if you want to turn the light on and off with a remote. This is how I do it.

If the light is turned on either by a RF switch or motion I have a flag set to know the light is on. Clear the flag when it's turned off. This way my system knows when the light is on or off. The nice part about the in-line module is the fact it has to be turned on by a controller so the flag is always set or cleared. Unlike the wired wall switches that do not report when controlled at the switch.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: dave w on January 13, 2015, 12:12:47 PM: Quote from: lviper on January 13, 2015, 12:01:42 PM
Couldn't you simply use an in-line x10 module on any standard floodlight and a ms16a motion sensor? Set the motion sensor to the same HC and UC as the in-line module and the motion would turn the light on and off.
Remote or not, you would still need a transceiver to change the MS16A RF to PLC for the inline module.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: bkenobi on January 13, 2015, 06:51:15 PM: I have a second outdoor light that is controlled by 2 MS16A's. The light is on a WS467. The motion sensors are on a different HU code, but they could be set to the same. I use a script to turn the lights on/off and use the motion sensor input as the trigger for the script to know when motion is sensed. These work ok, but I find the range/view angle limited, the detect a bit slow, and the weatherproofing moderate at best, and the transmission range terrible. If they meet your needs (range/view angle/environment/transmission range), then that is another option. But, as dave w pointed out, it does require a transceiver and that module must be within ~20ft if everything is stock.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: HA Dave on January 14, 2015, 08:04:27 AM: I was thinking.... and maybe incorrectly....

that someone like the famous world known home automater Knightrider had a mod for floodlights. So that a regular floodlight could be modified with an internally mounted relay switch in the floodlight connection box. The relay would trigger a flash module. That way... a light inside a home could be turned on to make the home owner aware of activity outside the home. As well as make a home look lived in... even if no one is at home.

I've recently seen a perimeter detection DIY (Youtube Video) that alert residents using outside hardwired motion detectors and remote door chimes.
http://youtu.be/-CyB0sgYssI?list=FLwSIYbHjKdHux-_Rimhs2hg
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: JeffVolp on January 14, 2015, 10:26:35 AM: I installed several hard-wired motion sensors as part of our alarm system to supplement the X10 floodlights. They run off 12VDC and have a relay contact closure. They are wired to the DSC alarm system that can issue an X10 command in response to detected motion, but the same can be done with the X10 Powerflash module.

Jeff
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: Knightrider on January 14, 2015, 12:06:00 PM: I do have a floodlight hack, but the ice cube relays from rat shack are M.I.A.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: dave w on January 14, 2015, 08:36:03 PM: Quote from: Knightrider on January 14, 2015, 12:06:00 PM
I do have a floodlight hack, but the ice cube relays from rat shack are M.I.A.
Rat Shack (a.k.a. Radio Shark) is M.I.A. They need to rename themselves "Phone Shack-The Home of Ridiculous Prices".
All Electronics http://www.allelectronics.com/ has a decent assortment of relays at good prices.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: HA Dave on January 15, 2015, 09:44:28 PM: Quote from: Knightrider on January 14, 2015, 12:06:00 PM
I do have a floodlight hack, but the ice cube relays from rat shack are M.I.A.

Change is coming from all directions! It isn't that I can't keep up.... it's that I can't predict what direction all this is going to go.

I had two X10 floodlights in service when the company folded temporarily. I took one light down and reconfigured my setup for just one floodlight. I figured I could use the one I removed as a back-up. I have enough X10 "parts" to last decades. If I downsize the functional part of X10.... what I already own should last a lifetime.

But... down sizing my X10 would mean integrating some other flavor of automation product. I just haven't been able to pull the trigger on that target yet.
Title: Re: Need a new floodlight
Post by: birdzeye on March 28, 2015, 10:42:14 AM: I've got 2 brand new x10 PR511 floodlights, never used, if anyone is interested.