X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Wish List => Topic started by: JimC on April 27, 2006, 12:35:22 PM
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I would like it if X10 made a wireless door bell button that I could mount at my front door. This could be interfaced to AHP and not only sound a sounder but it could also start macros for video recording and turn lights on.
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They don't sell a "doorbell" button, but they do sell the BIG RED Emergency Button (http://www.x10.com/products/x10_kr15a.htm) which will send an on signal when you press it. That could be used to trigger a macro or ring a doorbell. I don't think it is weather proof though, so you would have to make sure it is in a sheltered location.
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Only problem with the BIG RED Emergency Button is that requires an additional piece of equipment, either a Security Console or an IR543 to use it.
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You could wire a Powerflash module into an existing doorbell and use that to send a powerline command, either to trigger a macro or control a module directly.
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I currently don't have any doorbell and was looking for a way to add one without running wires that could interface with AHP. This might be something that X10 might concider for a new product. I know I have seen other requests for this posted a year ago by someone who was hearing impaired.
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Only problem with the BIG RED Emergency Button is that requires an additional piece of equipment, either a Security Console or an IR543 to use it.
According to the KR15A Installation and Operating Instructions (http://ftp://ftp.x10.com/pub/manuals/kr15a-is.pdf), it "sends wireless Radio Frequency (RF) signals to an X10 Transceiver (RR501 or TM751) or any X10 security system base console" so I would guess that it should also work with the CM15A.
I didn't see any reference to needing (or even being able to use) an IR543 however. I am not sure why you would need one since it doesn't seem to transmit an Infrared (IR) signal.
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I currently don't have any doorbell and was looking for a way to add one without running wires that could interface with AHP. This might be something that X10 might concider for a new product. I know I have seen other requests for this posted a year ago by someone who was hearing impaired.
I totally agree! It shouldn't be too difficult for X10 to make a weatherproof version of the KR15A and remove the panic button features (such as turning on a SH10A siren set to the same address when you push and hold the button).
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What I think would be at least as nice an item would be a position switch! (Of course I already have a door bell. :))
ie. A mercury tilt switch configured to send a signal when tilted. Image the ease of being able to just stick one the garage door and have it signal it's status.
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I would use a motion sensor to announce the presence of some one at the door but I have found them to be too sensitive. I really don't need to know every time a bird flies past the house.
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I would use a motion sensor to announce the presence of some one at the door but I have found them to be too sensitive. I really don't need to know every time a bird flies past the house.
if you have a deep porch then mount the motion sensor on the outward edge, pointing to the front door, say 4foot away. that way only when soneone is between it and the door would it sound the bell
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That is the first thing I did with X-10, mount a motion sensor connected to my chime inside. It is in an area, where only someone headed to the door would trip it. Works better than a doorbell (for me, anyway). DD
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JimC
You can also use a regular wireless doorbell and tie the audio output of the doorbell (or the low voltage fed to the solenoid "hammer" if you get a wireless mechanical chime doorbell) to a Powerflash. The Powerflash will output a X10 code "ON" when the doorbell rings.
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...You can also use a regular wireless doorbell...
While searching my newest favorite supply site for filters (thanks again, dave w), I saw a wireless doorbell (http://www.meci.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=wireless+doorbell&x=21&y=13) for only $7.95!
Since their minmum order is $20 you might want to see what else they have and perhaps pickup some of the filters (http://www.meci.com/product_info.php/cPath/396/products_id/5600104).
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I bought the doorbell kit from x10 and I'm having trouble getting the big red button to work. The kit came with the TM751, KR15A, and the SC546A. I have connected all of these but cannot get it to work. When I use the KR22A that I bought as well to signal the chime it works fine. For some reason, the big red bell set to the same house and unit code will not work. Any ideas?
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I don't have first hand experience with the KR15A, but my thoughts are:
- RF Range. Did you try moving it closer to the TM751?
- Batteries. Are you sure the batteries you are using are good? Are they alkaline or lithium batteries (heavy duty are not adequate)?
- User Error. Are you sure the KR15A is set to the correct unit and house code?
- Otherwise I suspect the KR15A is defective. Try and see if you can get it replaced.
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I had this problem too.
I've tried to use a KR15A (Big Red Button) to trigger a Remote Chime (SC546A) using a TM751 (One Way Transceiver). But this combination does not work!
When I changed the TM751 for a RR501 (Two Way Transceiver), all works fine.
I monitored the X10 signals over my powerline, using my CM15A computer interface, and there was no signal when the KR15A was in use with TM751.
When RR501 was in use, the KR15A signals were detected perfectly.
Apparently the KR15A works only with RR501.
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I had this problem too.
Apparently the KR15A works only with RR501.
No, must be something else going on. The KR15 should work with TM751
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If it worked with a RR501 it should also with a TM751 at least in sending an X10 signal back on the power line. Though the TM751 is NOT polite so if maybe the CM15A was also sending the same signal. A TM751 could step all over the signals and mess it up. RR501 is polite.
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I was reading about the Big Red Button the other day. I read it needs to be pushed for about 4 seconds. That ... and who know what range it may have could cause a mis-read of it's output.
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I have one, but haven't decided what to do with it yet. However, it seems to work like any other remote -- push the button and the chime does its thing. I do have a V572A to push the signal though. I'll experiment on range and button time duration......
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Well the button on the KR15A works (ringing the chime) with very little delay anywhere in my house. I was not able to overload the signal with multiple button activations. Once again, I do have a V572A transceiver which might be helping big time. I have also modified the antenna (increased the length by 9 - 10") of my CM15A to help with RF. Don't have the RR501.
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Well the button on the KR15A works (ringing the chime) with very little delay anywhere in my house.
Well I dug out my big red button and just had the same results JMac.
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Do you have any other RF Remote to test the TM751 with? It could be just defective.
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I would like it if X10 made a wireless door bell button that I could mount at my front door. This could be interfaced to AHP and not only sound a sounder but it could also start macros for video recording and turn lights on.
I use an X10 floodlight, that also turns on (up to) four other X10 devices when triggered. Mind turns on a camera, the VCR commander, a chime in the bedroom, and I get a voice announcement (via BVC (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12834.0)). Mine is set to only work in back of my home.
I recently put up a new set of wireless doorbells. I used the GE multi-tone, and bought two receiving units, one with a flashing light. I also picked up an extra button and now have three different tones for the three doors. The units are cheap to buy (got mine at wallmart) all battery powered, and would be easy to hack (I think) for use with a PowerFlash unit.
Actually, I think the idea of writting a camera macro to the doorbell is great!
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Actually, I think the idea of writting a camera macro to the doorbell is great!
Oh, oh! Sounds like Dave_x10_L has found another project! ;D
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Well the button on the KR15A works (ringing the chime) with very little delay anywhere in my house. I was not able to overload the signal with multiple button activations. Once again, I do have a V572A transceiver which might be helping big time. I have also modified the antenna (increased the length by 9 - 10") of my CM15A to help with RF. Don't have the RR501.
JMac:
Start the AHP Activity Monitor and clear its window Then press and hold the Big Red Button for 10 seconds and report what you see in the Activity Monitor.
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I did and this is what I got. Interesting.
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JMac,
I found where I read about the "other signal" sent after pressing and holding the Big Red Button for a while:
http://www.x10.com/security/kr15a_s.html
It's a security signal, so isn't displayed in the Activity Monitor.
I assume the bright signals are intended to insure that a lamp module like the LM14A comes on at more than minimum brightness.