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[raym]

Hi all,

Any comments or observations on the Insteon
products and protocol?

I have already installed five of the Insteon
modules in my existing X10 system.

Some people will say, this is an X10 forum
and that 'other stuff' does not apply.

I have been avid X10 user for the past ten
years.

Anything improving on X10 is welcome to me.
I have purchaced about eight hundred dollars
worth of X10 hardware and software in the
past years.

I think, that gives me the right to ask.

Anyone had any experience with Insteon?

Good?

Bad?

I'll relate mine later.

Regards,

Ken

Comments?

Ken

[Brian H]

I have a mixed system also. X10 for things
like remotes; chime modules; RF tranceivers
and some wall switches where no neutral is
in the box. Also an ELK dorrbell sensor
triggering a Powerflasfer that rings a chime
in the cellar. Have some ApplianceLinc V2s
in X10 mode and they are ok. A simple 15
watt flouresecne under counter light blew
out one of them from a spike from the
ballast. So I have had one fail so far.
Till the software for the PowerLinc V2 is
released. I can't say much about it.

[Brian H]

We have many Automation messages on X10
Insteon and other things in the following:
www.accessha.com

[raym]

Powerflasfer? I'm letting the 'ELK' part
ride.

I was willing to be silent until I heard the
above.

Is that a real module or did you just make
that name up? I have to know now.
Where do we buy it and what does it do.

Thank you for your kind input (scramblebot?).

Ken

[roger1818]

Ken:  It is actually called a "PowerFlash."
It is an X10 product.  You can read more
about it at:
http://www.x10.com/pro/automation/psc01.htm

[Brian H]

Yes fumble fingers did spell it wrong.
Powerflash module uses a low voltage trigger
or a dry closure switch to send an X10
signal over the power line. The ELK Module
is 1/3 [3 boards that can be seperated 2
doorbell 1 telephone] of a ELK-930. It is
inserted in the doorbells transformer feed
and senses the bell ringing. If put in the
right wire it can sense both a back and
front bell. It is an electronic switch that
I use to trigger the Powerflash [X10 PF284
X10Pro PSC01] that sends an ON signal on the
Chime Modules address. I also have an X10
Touch Tone Controller [TR16A] that lets me
call home and control devices. Side feature
is that the third number of the security
code wheel also flashes a light if on that
house/unit code. As you may have guessd the
code is also the one for the chime module.
So in the cellar a doorbell or phone call
can sound the chimes.

[raym]

Thanks for that.

I think I have one of the old versions of
that thing. Mine is an X10 module that
switches low voltage contacts.
I bought it three years ago with the intent
of connecting a remote(er) garage door
switching unit. I never actually got brave
enough to hook it up.

I never knew the name until now.

Thanks for the kind input.

Ken

[Charles Sullivan]

KenRM:
Check carefully what module you have.  The
PowerFlash sends an X10 signal when the low-
voltage contacts are closed, as described.
The UM506 Universal Module looks similar but
does the opposite - it closes the low-voltage
contacts when it receives an X10 signal.

[Brian H]

Sounds more like the universal module that
closes a switch when turned on and off. The
Powerflash is like a table top controller
that sends an X10 signal on the powerline
just no manual button but a trigger from an
external switch or low voltage.

[raym]

Hi,
It is the Universal Module. I had hopes of
using the low voltage contacts to work my
garage door. I could never think of a
(mostly) fool proof system to know the
position of the door prior to energizing it.
I have seen these used a sprinkler controls
with a good deal of success.
Ken

[roger1818]

Ken:  You could put a normally open security
sensor on the door and put it in series with
the Universal Module.  You then put that
combination in parallel with the button to
open/close the door.  That way if the door is
open, the sensor will be closed and the
Universal Module won’t be able to open the
door.  If the door is open then the sensor
will be closed and the Universal Module will
trigger the door to close.

Since the door could be half closed and
pushing the button would open the door, you
will want to have the macro used to close the
door send the command to the universal module
again after 30 seconds (or however long it
takes to close the door plus a bit extra to
be safe).

Note: The Universal Modules needs to be in
momentary mode.

If you are wanting to also be able to open
the door, via X10 but don’t want to risk
having the door accidentally open, you could
put a second Universal module in parallel
with the security switch.  That way to open
the door you have to turn on both modules
within 2 seconds of each other (the amount of
time the module stays open in momentary mode).

[raym]

Thanks Roger,
That bit about having two modules in series
to prevent false openings, is a good idea. I
never would have thought of that, but is is
a darned smart idea. As long as you don't
mind having to hide two X10 modules (I
don't) in a garage, that will work fine.
I am going to add that to my list of 'things
I would like to get done soon'.
I have still got a few more neutral wires to
drop so that I can wire up the rest of my
Insteon wall switchs and dimmers. I will try
to get that done tomorrow. I like the 'two-
way' communication, even in X10 mode.
I am not familiar with the better X10 wall
switch/dimmers. I like these because when I
send a 'pre-set dim' of 30%, the dimmers
don't go bright and then dim like my old X10
economy dimmers. These go to 30% in a
logical manner.
My Insteon USB controller and software is on
back order until the week of Nov 14. My
coments on that will have to wait.
If I can get somple macros to run in a
reliable manner and have reliable PLC/RF
switching, I will be happy. With my CM15a I
have to be careful what I do. Sometimes just
leaving my computer off for a few days will
cause the macros to fail. I have my fingers
crossed as to how Insteon RF 'key chain'
remotes might operate. It may be many months
before those things are even available.

Ken

[roger1818]

Ken:  I can’t take credit for any of the
ideas.  I read about all of them on the web.
Doug Smith describes them all (and others)
on his web page
(http://www.smithsrus.com/HomeAuto/GarageDoor/index.html)
so he may be the person who came up with them
(I don’t know that for sure).

He actually has a nifty setup.  He uses an
Appliance Module to disable the garage door
opener at times of the day he won’t be
opening the door.  He uses two Universal
Modules and a N.O. switch as I described and
a PowerFlash module to transmit the status of
the door.