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[dtob]

OK, so let me start by saying I'm new to X10, I found X10 through searches and this appears to be what I need, but nothing out of the box appears to fit my exact requirements.  I have searched the forums and found tons of info on making mods and also some interesting topics on mixing different technologies.  Here goes:

I have an existing set of standard (not x10) motion detector spot lights across the back of my home.  They have a range of about 50'.  I have an area behind my home about 200' away that some kids occasionally use to get onto my property to cause mischief.  My ultimate goal would be to mount a few remote motion detectors back there which would send a signal to the house to turn on a specific set of spot lights which I've pointed to shine back there.  I noticed the Active Eye and Eagle Eye motion detectors have a limited detection of about 20' and transmission range of less than 100'.  What I really need is detection of about 50' and transmission of 200' through 1 wall.

I called X10 support and they said the distance is too far, but if I moved them closer I could buy a receiver (from another company) that I could splice into the power supply for the spotlights that they would receive the motion detection signal and cause them to turn on.  OK, we are getting closer but I can't really mount these close enough to the house.

I read a post about someone who integrated a long range motion detector from another company into their system, but gave no details on what mods they had to make (and it was from 2007).

Last issue, since my existing motion spots are just that, on motion detectors, if I could wire in that special receiver that X10 mentioned (that would turn the lights on) would the lights actually turn on since the motion detector attached to the spots wasn't actually tripped?

Sorry for the confusion description, but my needs seem to fall through the cracks of a standard installation.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

[HA Dave]

Sorry for the confusion description, but my needs seem to fall through the cracks of a standard installation.

You have a couple options that I can think of... off the top of my head.

Bury wire... and erect a pole with a floodlight at the that far rear of your property. I would use the X10 PR511 floodlight. It sends its signal via the powerline and could turn on lights, or turn on a camera, or chime a chime in the house. One of my X10 floodlights (PR511) uses BVC to announce a warning to any tresspassers.
I have some YouTube Videos that show those actions at my YouTube Channel.

A second option is a long range wireless motion detector like the Dakota. The signal is then converted to X10 using a powerflash module (PF284). (I would bury some wire myself).

[dtob]

Thanks Dave_x10_L !

I wish I could run electric back to that area but I don't have more than a few inches of dirt before I hit bedrock. 

I do like the concept of using a Dakota motion detector and using a powerflash module.  Just so I understand this setup, please correct me if I'm wrong - the Dakota remotely sends a signal to the powerflash module which is plugged in in the house.  It in turns sends an X10 signal to my spot lights (which aren't X10) or  do i need to wire the following module in (which an X10 support rep recommended)   http://www.activehomepro.com/accessories/pro/xpfm_wa1_s.html   The module is called X10 Pro Inline Appliance Module .  Thanks for the advice, this might make just work for me.  My wife doesn't want the indoor chime in case we get false alarms, she'd rather not hear anything, just have the lights do their work.  I, on the other hand, want to know what is going on so much that I want to have cameras outside.

[HA Dave]

I do like the concept of using a Dakota motion detector and using a powerflash module.  Just so I understand this setup, please correct me if I'm wrong - the Dakota remotely sends a signal to the powerflash module which is plugged in in the house.  It in turns sends an X10 signal to my spot lights (which aren't X10) or  do i need to wire the following module in (which an X10 support rep recommended)   http://www.activehomepro.com/accessories/pro/xpfm_wa1_s.html   The module is called X10 Pro Inline Appliance Module . 

The Dakota motion sensor sends a signal to it's own Dakota receiver unit (read more on the Dakota PDF manual here). The receiver has a volume control... to please the wife. The receiver will connect to the powerflash module which will send the (PLC) signal across your powerline. A wired-in in-line appliance module will work... other modules might also.

Do some reading/learning about X10 setups and uses. You might also want to pick up a transceiver (TM751) and a PalmPad remote... for added convenience. Visit X10.com and sign-up for the [soft porn] newsletters... thats where you'll find the best "deals".

[dtob]

Thanks for the links and recommendations.  I read the Dakota pdf, and think I understand the setup.  One question on the Dakota – As I understand, when the detector trips the chime and closes the contacts, the powerflash will then be activated to send the PLC to the inline appliance device which I will have wired into the line feeding one of my spotlights.  What I can’t find in the literature or online, is how long the lights will remain on and what is the signal to turn them off.  The Dakota pdf mentions “ The receiver can be user programmed so the 12VDC terminal and one relay will activate for 10 minutes if this is desired” – is that referring to how long I can have the lights remain on?  If so, then I can check that off the list of questions.

I have one more question that I can't find an answer to online – For my existing motion detector spotlights, I have 5 RAB Stealth 110’s wired on the same circuit.  In order to manually override the system and have the lights turn on and stay on, the RAB system requires the user to manually flip the light switch twice within 2 seconds for the light to turn on.  Then, to return the units to their stealth mode, the light switch must be left off for more than 10 seconds then turned on.  My initial plan to get this Dakota system hooked up was to put a junction box on one of the wires feeding one of the RAB units and run a new line off of that box with a new spotlight that doesn’t have a motion detector.  The inline module would be placed into that line and will leave the RAB's unaffected, correct???

Based on the feedback, I’ll be ordering some parts this week and will update on the results of the install.

Thanks again!

[HA Dave]

Thanks for the links and recommendations.  I read the Dakota pdf, and think I understand the setup.  One question on the Dakota – As I understand, when the detector trips the chime and closes the contacts, the powerflash will then be activated to send the PLC to the inline appliance device which I will have wired into the line feeding one of my spotlights. 

That is correct.

What I can’t find in the literature or online, is how long the lights will remain on and what is the signal to turn them off.  The Dakota pdf mentions “ The receiver can be user programmed so the 12VDC terminal and one relay will activate for 10 minutes if this is desired” – is that referring to how long I can have the lights remain on?  If so, then I can check that off the list of questions.

I don't know. You could call Dakota... or the/a retailer with those questions.

I have one more question that I can't find an answer to online – For my existing motion detector spotlights, I have 5 RAB Stealth 110’s wired on the same circuit.  In order to manually override the system and have the lights turn on and stay on, the RAB system requires the user to manually flip the light switch twice within 2 seconds for the light to turn on.  Then, to return the units to their stealth mode, the light switch must be left off for more than 10 seconds then turned on.  My initial plan to get this Dakota system hooked up was to put a junction box on one of the wires feeding one of the RAB units and run a new line off of that box with a new spotlight that doesn’t have a motion detector.  The inline module would be placed into that line and will leave the RAB's unaffected, correct???

Based on the feedback, I’ll be ordering some parts this week and will update on the results of the install.

I am afraid I don't know anything about a "RAB" system. But do keep us posted and up-to-date as your project progresses.

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

My initial plan to get this Dakota system hooked up was to put a junction box on one of the wires feeding one of the RAB units and run a new line off of that box with a new spotlight that doesn’t have a motion detector.  The inline module would be placed into that line and will leave the RAB's unaffected, correct???

Sounds correct to me!  You're taking power before it gets switched by the motion detector, so it's just a standard power circuit.

[dtob]

Thanks Dave and Bill, I now have enough information to get this thing going.  I'll post after the install but it may be about a month until i can get to it.

I did find one answer to a question I asked earlier -

One question on the Dakota – As I understand, when the detector trips the chime and closes the contacts, the powerflash will then be activated to send the PLC to the inline appliance device which I will have wired into the line feeding one of my spotlights.  What I can’t find in the literature or online, is how long the lights will remain on and what is the signal to turn them off.  The Dakota pdf mentions “ The receiver can be user programmed so the 12VDC terminal and one relay will activate for 10 minutes if this is desired” – is that referring to how long I can have the lights remain on?  If so, then I can check that off the list of questions.

I called Dakota today and their support informed me that the unit does have a programmable delay that will have the unit send another command to shut off after a specified time.  We'll see how that goes.

[HA Dave]

.... I now have enough information to get this thing going.........  I did find one answer to a question I asked earlier -

Sometimes the real fun with Home Automation... is finding the [sometimes creative] ways around the problems. Each task is merely a technical puzzle with an open-ended solution. The longer I work with Home Automation the more I truly believe, it is limited... only by our imaginations. And that the possibilities really are... endless.

[dtob]

I'm very happy to say all went well with the installation and the system is up and operational, thanks to your help!

I actually had a friend of ours who is an electrician come in and install a junction box on one of the wires feeding my existing motion detector spotlights and run a new line off the box to a new 2 head spotlight which they fished and installed.  They wired the appliance module (XPFM) into the junction box, and wired the PSC01 Powerflash onto the terminals available on the Dakota WMA3000 chime box.

I placed the Dakota wireless infared detector out back which is about 200 feet from the house and sure enough, the entire system works flawlessly.

Thanks again to Dave_x10_L and Bill!

[HA Dave]

I'm very happy to say all went well with the installation and the system is up and operational,........ I placed the Dakota wireless infared detector out back which is about 200 feet from the house and sure enough, the entire system works flawlessly.

Very cool. It's always nice to hear back... and know that things worked out well.