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Author Topic: Hi from Perth, Western Australia  (Read 5145 times)

consul

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Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« on: July 16, 2012, 08:21:07 AM »
Hi to all who read this. I am in Perth, Western Australia.  I bought from the  X10 in the good old US of A the home security system.  I am posting this message just to get any feedback from you experts out there on the system on what I have to  say below as the package only arrived here today.  As I am in Australia we have 220 volts here,so it is my plan to use/buy a voltage step-up from 110 volts to ours of 220 to work the main console control unit, does this sound OK so far ?  And  as the other modules  as they are on battery power they will be fine.  What do you think ?

Next any tips on a quick and painless install, I purchased  the 32 piece SecuriLINK package.

I just moved into a new home and security is a must in the area I moved into,  or so I am told, and a local alarm installation here costs $2000 plus so I am hoping what I have from X10 will more then fill the bill as they say.     And any additional comments from those willing to advise me are most welcome.     Regards Gerry
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dhouston

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2012, 09:14:51 AM »
You would have been much better off had you bought from any of several Australian X10 dealers or from any of even more numerous European X10/Marmitek dealers.

In the US we use 310MHz (I don't know if that's allowed in Australia which uses 433.92MHz as does Europe) for the RF and the FCC allows power levels which are about 1/10 of those allowed in Europe which are in turn only 1/10 of what's allowed in Australia. You're likely to have RF range issues with what you bought where you would not have those issues if you had bought gear intended for Europe or Australia.
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Brian H

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2012, 10:36:02 AM »
Australia is 240 volts 50 Hz and US devices are 120 volts 60 Hz.
Your outlets also are not the same as we use.
Converters from 120 volts to 240 volts would probably not work as the X10 power line signal would most likely not pass through them.
You will not be able to power up the console and dhouston already covered the incorrect RF transmition frequency for your country.
This is the Marmitek Security Console that actually has a few added features over our SC1200. I believe Australian models are made.
http://www.marmitek.com/en/product-details/home-automation-security/x-10-security/safeguard.php
« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 10:55:22 AM by Brian H »
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dave w

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2012, 11:58:50 AM »
Although this probably won't help consul, I have wondered if the US PLC transmitters will "slow down" to a 50Hz trigger?
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dhouston

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2012, 12:20:22 PM »
Quote from: dave w on July 16, 2012, 11:58:50 AM
Although this probably won't help consul, I have wondered if the US PLC transmitters will "slow down" to a 50Hz trigger?
Good point - but I think it will only be a problem for the second and third phase signals which are most likely computed based on the expected 60Hz. The first signals are linked to the local ZC so should be OK.

As for the step-down transformer blocking the 120kHz, that may or may not be a problem but can be addressed with a capacitor between primary and secondary. 
« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 12:23:56 PM by dhouston »
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luke03

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2012, 02:59:36 PM »
Most security sensor in this SecuriLINK package are RF, so that will be a prolem with 50Hz or 60Hz.  Only lights control through power line.
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Brian H

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2012, 03:03:26 PM »
True they are RF but 310MHz is not used in Australia.

Not too sure how the wall wart combination power supply and power line transmitter will like 50Hz. power frequency.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 03:05:03 PM by Brian H »
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dave w

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2012, 03:31:55 PM »
Quote from: Brian H on July 16, 2012, 03:03:26 PM
True they are RF but 310MHz is not used in Australia.

Not too sure how the wall wart combination power supply and power line transmitter will like 50Hz. power frequency.

The SC1200 clock won't be happy either, but the SC1200 console will probably alarm normally (local). Might be iffy for the Power Horns to work however.
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consul

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2012, 07:49:28 AM »
Hi, just to let all who have posted that I installed the system, works fine on my current converter from 110/120 volts to 220 which we use here in Australia.   Not tested the lamp module as that may not work, we shall see....but all else is fine EXCEPT one thing, cannot get the phone system to work, plugged it into the line, but made test calls and the device does not kick in and answer...anyone got any ideas ?  Thanks in advance.
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Brian H

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2012, 07:56:35 AM »
It does not dial out on an Alarm, Answer an Incoming Call or will not do any phone functions?

Do you also have an answering machine?
« Last Edit: July 18, 2012, 08:22:24 AM by Brian H »
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dhouston

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2012, 06:14:01 AM »
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Brian H

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Re: Hi from Perth, Western Australia
« Reply #11 on: July 19, 2012, 07:52:40 AM »
Dave, Thanks for the link.
I had thought about differences in ringer specifications between different countries. The link made it much clearer.
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