Print

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

[marineau]

I would like to know if a RCA modules (Lamp,Appliances, Wall Switch) are exactly (electronic) a
same than real X10 modules ?

In this link:
http://www.x10.com/promotions/hc2005_sp_hc60rx.html

[JeffVolp]

I would like to know if a RCA modules (Lamp,Appliances, Wall Switch) are exactly (electronic) a
same than real X10 modules

Yes, they are electrically equivalent.

[Dan Lawrence]

Not only electrically equivalent, all X10 modules, regardless of brand name are manufactured by X10!!!

I have X10, X10 Pro, Stanley, Sears, Radio Shack and Magnavox modules, both hard wired and plug-in, lamp and appliance.  The Magnavox one is the only lamp module I've ever had that has a little door over the code wheels.

Every X10 control program going back to the DOS days saw every lamp module as an X10 one, right through AHP.

[Brian H]

Only exception is the Black and Decker Freewire Brand. Modules are 100% as they are X10 OEM.
The RF devices are not. Different frequency and their Messenger Hub with Remote are more like a security setup. You register the remote with the Hub. Nice thing is the remote can do all 16 unit codes and the House Code is set on a wheel on the hub. The hub can also remember  2 sets of 4 addresses that can be controlled by one 'Mood Button' on the remote. Also has a all off button. The signals from the Hub to the powerline are 100% X10 so it can control a mixture of modules also. Just that a FW Remote will not work through an X10 transceiver and a X10 remote will not work with a FW Messenger Hub.
They did make one real nice module that is weather resistant for outdoor use. The FWLROD.

[Charles Sullivan]

Not only electrically equivalent, all X10 modules, regardless of brand name are manufactured by X10!!!

I don't think Smarthome or ACT would agree with that statement.

[TakeTheActive]

Not only electrically equivalent, all X10 modules, regardless of brand name are manufactured by X10!!!

I don't think Smarthome or ACT would agree with that statement.

What about Leviton?

[Charles Sullivan]

Not only electrically equivalent, all X10 modules, regardless of brand name are manufactured by X10!!!

I don't think Smarthome or ACT would agree with that statement.

What about Leviton?

I think Leviton modules (most of them anyway) are manufactured by X-10.

[vhoang]

smarthome and act are the only two i'm aware of that took the original X10 specifications and put a spin on it to try to make it "better" (aka more marketable).

Act A10 products detects at lower mV and were all two way.   

Smarthome's original Linc line used lower mV as well, with install friendly couplers, boosters, and testers.   They are producing and promoting a different product called Insteon now, reverse compatible with X10.

Now elk products has a X10 signal tester as well as a few heavy duty X10 modules which I suspect they make themselves but not sure.

Any others?

[dave w]

smarthome and act are the only two i'm aware of that took the original X10 specifications and put a spin on it to try to make it "better" (aka more marketable).

Act A10 products detects at lower mV and were all two way.   

Smarthome's original Linc line used lower mV as well, with install friendly couplers, boosters, and testers.   They are producing and promoting a different product called Insteon now, reverse compatible with X10.

Now elk products has a X10 signal tester as well as a few heavy duty X10 modules which I suspect they make themselves but not sure.

Any others?

Yup PCS
Make very good products
http://www.pcslighting.com/scenemaster/products.html

BTW Thanks very much for finding the Longlite "Bulb Life Extenders"!  These seem to be the "second generation" of the old diode disks, appears they do not dim the bulb as much as the old diode models. 

[hfbar]

You are right about the Longlites.  They are different than the old button in that they do not cut the sine wave in half, but rather regulate the voltage to the bulb by turning the power on and off to the bulb 120 times per second.  The filament doesn't have a chance to cool so the the light output is not effected much, but the life is extended by over 3 times and the energy reduced by 10%.  I use them on all my expensive bulbs.

[dave w]

You are right about the Longlites.  They are different than the old button in that they do not cut the sine wave in half, but rather regulate the voltage to the bulb by turning the power on and off to the bulb 120 times per second.  The filament doesn't have a chance to cool so the the light output is not effected much, but the life is extended by over 3 times and the energy reduced by 10%.  I use them on all my expensive bulbs.

Yes, I read that from their web site, but don't quiet understand. Technically 60Hz AC would turn the power off to the bulb 120 times per second anyway. The "chip" must be doing something in addition to providing a soft start for the bulb since the say the light output is only decreased by 10%. I just haven't figured out else is happening, unless they are are chopping out portions of the sine wave like a regular dimmer would do.