Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Kaptan]

Hi everyone, this is my first foray into the X10 world, and I like what I see.

X10 is not very common here in Australia, and information is almost non existent.
I have read through most of these forum posts, so thanks to all for your information.

My first query is a quite simple one.
I have an Xcam2 model XC14E that has the integrated movement sensor.
This all works OK and records successfully to my VCR via the Commander. (I was actually surprised as to how easily it set up!).
What I want to do is only have it record when my security console is armed away.
I have tested this using the B4 address on the addressable power supply, which is the status indicator address used by the security console.
This B4 address only switches on when the security console is armed. (You would normally hook up a light for this).

But here is the problem;
On the addressable power supply, the switchable power is for the camera, while the movement sensor has permanently on (unswitched) power.
It all works as it should according to this layout, but I want the switched and unswitched power to be the other way round so that the sensor is switched, and then the camera will stay on.
At the moment the sensor is triggering the Commander whenever I am home, and if I put the Commander in 'home' mode, it gives that annoying beep.
If the sensor is switched I can have it turn off with the security console which is not a problem as it wont be needlessly recording when I am home.

I thought it best to change the wiring where it goes into the back of the Xcam2 housing, so to keep the power supply plugs sealed and intact.
There are 3 wires, a red, a white and an unsheathed one (neutral?).
If I change the red and white over, will this substitute the switched and unswitched power supplies?
I suppose I could test the wires with a circuit tester, but am hoping someone more knowledgable than me knows the easy answer and any pitfalls of doing this.

I just had a thought though, I have a second Xcam2 model without the integrated movement sensor.
If my first camera becomes unswitched, then how will I be able to change the views between the two cameras?

So then, would it be easier to have an appliance module on the Commander, and set the B4 address here?
Does the Commander keep its settings after losing power?
Thanks in advance for any helpful advice, and I look forward to learning more about X10. 

[Brian H]

I believe the camera is still powered on for instant pictures and only the transmit part is switched on and off. That way you don't have to wait the few seconds the video sensor needs to stabilize.

[Kaptan]

Thanks for the reply Brian.

So if the transmit part is switched, then why does it activate my VCR via the Commander when I have the addressable power supply set to off?

Can I cover this problem in another way - would it be OK to plug the addressable power supply for the XC14E into an appliance module?
Then the camera and movement sensor would operate as normal when my console is armed away, and the whole lot would turn off (via the appliance module) when I disarm the security.
As I asked in my previous post; would it be better to put the appliance module on the Commander and switch that on and off, or would it lose its memory settings between uses?