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[cr1]

Hi

I recently purchased a house and found a MS14A motion sensor on the outside near the front porch. I thought maybe it triggered the porch light, but after replacing the dead batteries, that wasn't it. I tried several porch outlets and several just-inside-the-door outlets. Nothing.

Having read the little guide inside the sensor, and the minimal documentation for the thing, I realize that the "default" setting (perhaps especially after being without battery power for at least 9 months) may not be the same setting as a receiving device.

So... Is there a device/tool that I can get that will help me find out what, if anything, in my house is tied to this sensor? Kind-of like those little probes that tell you if there's electrical wires behind a wall, or if electricity is flowing to an outlet. Something that says "there is a receiver near here" or something that will make a receiving device beep or something... Judging from pictures of outlets that have X10 control ability, I can see that those have dials on the front for receiver channel settings and know that I don't have any of those, but what about in-wall circuits or maybe a receiver in the attic somewhere?

I've looked online at troubleshooting tools and have gone through the forums (yes, i tried advanced searching) but with no info on this; everything assumes you have either put the devices in yourself or have just bought the things.

Any clues? Help?!

Thanks
CR

[Puck]

Once the batteries are removed, the MS14A would reset itself to house / unit code A1.

However, the MS14A sends an RF signal, so it would require a transceiver to control something in your house. I'm sure you would have noticed one of those plugged into an outlet somewhere. 

But there could still be some X10 switch somewhere. Generally, it will look and feel different than a regular wall switch. There is no easy way to test for what may exist. You could either get a Transceiver and (painstakingly) program the MS14A for each of the 256 addresses and try each one, or get an X10 plug-in controller and test that way.

[cr1]

Thanks Puck -- both for the info and the quick response! 

While I figured that the transceiver should be noticeable, I also have the joy of knowing that the person who renovated this house did some very unusual things... So I wouldn't be surprised if there was a transceiver inside a wall somewhere because he thought "that would be the best place for it".

Ideally I'd like to tie it to our porch lights, but those are hard-wired so the transceiver and controller you linked to don't seem to be what I would need. But I just can't help think that there's got to be something in the house being controlled by it already... I mean, who would take the time to put an RF motion sensor on a house and NOT have something somewhere connected.

Thanks again... I'll keep digging. 

[Tuicemen]

If you really are concerned and don't want to add any x10 gear down the road go to e-bay and purchase a HR12A Plam pad that will find a transceiver(they usualy click when switched on/off) if there is one in the house and any device controlled by it!
You can find the HR12A for under $7!
If you plan on adding X10 gear get a kit most include a plam pad as a freebie!
Just click on the whats included link before you buy to be sure that kit includes one!

[cr1]

Thanks Tuiceman

I'm not "concerned" per-se -- I'm curious. I'd like to use the thing (or use what it's controlling already -- if anything at all) but I've sat this long without even knowing what it was! I've noticed the sensor before, but didn't pay attention to what brand or type or anything... I just knew it didn't do squat!

The HR12A still seems like a lot of tedious work to find a transceiver, but I'll see if I can't find one locally in a used electronics store or something. I was hoping for a more instant-gratification type device. Like those range finders in Alien -- "It's right outside the door!"

If nothing else, I'll just get some X10 gear and use the sensor -- even if some transceiver in the house is also going on/off or just being wasted.

Thanks again
cr

[Brian H]

If the lights are hard wired. It could be possible the on/off wall switch is an X10 one.
A clue could be a small tab on the bottom edge of the wall switch. There is a safety slide switch that breaks the electrial path for safety during bulb changes.
The transceiver takes the RF control signal from the MS14A converts it to a powerline signal that then turns on and off the lights.

[cr1]

thanks all

I've gone over every switch and outlet in the house and none appear to be X10 related. I've not crawled all through the attic, but doubt there's a receiver up there.

Thanks for all of the tips and things to look for. I think I'm just going to forget that the sensor is there and take the batteries out to use somewhere else. For now.

Cheers
cr