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[medicalbarbie]

Hello!

The previous owner of our house was an electrical engineer and rewired the house with among other things, some X10 features.

From checking out the website and these forums, I think what I need is a controller/transceiver.

We have 3 outdoor motion sensors and several light switches throughout the house, I don't think any wall sockets are set up (but they might be)

I would like to
1 - have the outdoor lights (which have the right switches already) to turn on with the motion sensor activation - ie the front light switch on with the front motion sensor and ditto the back lights
2 - be able to have some other lights turn on/off at dusk/dawn when we are out or on vacation
3 - possibly add some more switches or wall sockets.

Can anyone help me understand if the wireless transceiver is adequate for this? How many sensors or switches can be controlled by one transceiver?
Is it possible for a light to be both activated by motion AND if it gets to dusk/sundown?

Many thanks

[joe s.]

The day/nite & motion sensor lighting can be accomplished for relatively little investment in time & money (Under $100 - there are things called X10 package deals that make those simple systems very affordable).  But if you want lights ON & OFF at random times (vs dusk/dawn) while away, dimming sequences for ambient lighting as the evening gets darker, lights that go on and off while you enter and exit laundry rooms, open pantry doors etc - then your asking about "Home Automation". 

For that you'll need either a computer running 24/7 and some software and a controller; or a programmable PLC.  In that case, your initial investment will be at least $250 - $500 depending on what combination of things you like.  It can be entertaining (like a hobby) to automate your home.

If your doing automation though - do a lot of reading (search topics like home automation X-10) and decide whether PLC or computer is best suited for you - then read some more, start planning and start buying a little at a time.

[medicalbarbie]

Thanks for your input Joe.

I guess what I'm really asking is, given that I already have most of the sensors installed courtesy of the previous owner, if I buy the wireless transceiver, what will it allow me to do/control?

[Tuicemen]

I guess what I'm really asking is, given that I already have most of the sensors installed courtesy of the previous owner, if I buy the wireless transceiver, what will it allow me to do/control?

It depends on what transceiver your looking at.

[joe s.]

We're not being obtuse - there are a number of transceivers available - but to narrow this down - I'm guessing you must mean the TM751 (I'm guessing this particular one only because it is very common).  Then the answer is "it would probably work fine" - it can handle up to 16 devices.  But you wouldn't be able to test it, or set it up without a palmpad (HR12A or similar).  This assumes that the TM751 is the device you are calling a transceiver.

Also, you have not described your switches or sensors well enough.  You might have security sensors or camera sensors or something else that may not be compatible.  For a more precise answer, you will have to provide more precise information (model#'s etc.) for exactly what devices and sensors you DO have now.  Each device is imprinted with it's model# somewhere (switches are a bit harder, but the info is there - usually on the back).  Let us know as much detail as you can, and we'll have better insight as to what will work.

[medicalbarbie]

Thanks for the help and sorry for the delay, have been doing the taxes!

I have now bought the TM751 plugin transceiver and the HR12A palmpad remote.

My motion sensors are MS16A and I have a variety of wall light switches that seem to be WS13A/WS14A, WS467 & XPDI3. I also seem to have some sort of signal booster in my basement - going to investigate further this weekend.

I am hoping that when certain motion sensors are activated they will turn on the lights near by.

My next step will be to check which house code one of these is set to and plug in/insert batteries and see what happens!

[dave w]

My next step will be to check which house code one of these is set to and plug in/insert batteries and see what happens!

Without a computer interface like the CM15A and AHP software, this will be difficult other than trial and error. The MS16As will default to House Code-Unit Code "A1" when you change batteries. However the house code set on your HR12A  and wall switches is probably the the active house code in your setup (or at least one of them).

[joe s.]

Your motion sensors need to be programmed to whatever your unique switch codes are, by a series of "button pushes" inside the battery compartment.  Its easy to download a manual for your motion sensors (they all work pretty much the same) and that will describe how to program your specific house and unit codes into them.  To make sure your system is working via the TM751 though, its best to use the palmpad with the code wheels set to test each light individually, because its transmitter is stronger in the palmpad than it is in the sensors and it will be reassuring to know each switch is working before you start scattering sensors around your home.

[medicalbarbie]

Thanks guys.

I think you could be right dave w - I have a feeling the previous owner had a computer hooked up controlling all this. I am going to see if I can get his contact details from the selling realtor and ask what he had set up.

I tried going through with the palmpad and TM751 but I think some of the motion sensors at least need new batteries, so sadly this isn't going to be a quick fix. I will post again if I need any more help.