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[drgoodtrips]

Hello,

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I thought that "General" seems rather can't miss (mods, feel free to move if I'm off base here).  I just wanted to say "hi" and introduce myself as a new member.  I've looked around a bit, read the etiquette and FAQ, and perused some posts.  I had never heard of X10 up until about 5 or 6 months ago, and I have to say that it is a God-send, for the simple reason that I had previously planned to have to build all of the hardware myself.  Now, I'm not really a hardware guy beyond a couple of computer architecture courses, so not having to break out the soldering iron and breadboard (yet) made me very happy.  I'm also very pleased at the low cost and availability of X10 products and am wondering how I was never previously aware of this.  Oh well, c'est la vie.  I am now.

Basically, what I'm looking to do is acquire the hardware that I need in order to automate various functionality around my house.  What I'm probably not looking to do is to bother with any of the controller/remote modules or any existing software, such as "ActiveHome" (I believe is the name).  I'm in the process of designing a server from the ground up to do exactly what I want it to (as I said, I'm not a hardware guy - I'm a software guy).  So far, I have 3 appliance modules and the module that plugs into the serial port of my computer (I forget the name).  The box is Linux, and I've downloaded and installed "heyu" for the time being to prove the concept.  This is working fine, for now, though I'm nearing completion of a browser interface that will allow me to configure the appliance timing.  At that point, I'm going to write the serial communications myself, specifically tailored to interface with the web server I'm making.

Anyhoo...

Just thought I'd introduce myself and start off with a basic question.... I've found a glut of information when it comes to looking up products and specifications on various sites.  It's a little too much.  What I'd like is basically the ability to poll my X10 devices from the server and get status updates periodically (thus creating a database log of when all of my lights, appliances, etc are on).  From what I've been able to tell, what I want is a "two way lamp module", as opposed to the regular lamp module (assuming that I want a lamp module).  However, when I poke around on sites or on ebay, these often seem to be discontinued or not offered, or else I'm directed at something pricier called "Insteon", I believe.  So, first question - can someone give me some information on getting the hardware to do what I want - two way communication?

Thanks!

[Brian H]

Welcome to the forums.

Two way modules as you have found are no longer in the X10 line of products. Not sure if any of the X10Pro or Leviton devices still have two way features.

Insteon is a completely different power line protocol than the X10, but the devices can have an X10 Primary Address added to them. Not by the normal dials you maybe seeing on your modules. Basically you put them in the linking mode and send the X10 Address with an on or off to set the address. They do respond to a status request and also send an X10 signal when locally changed.

Have you looked at the section we have here in that product?

http://forums.x10.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=r52dd55tuq4is33l4r8bc93ed6&board=70.0

A web site dedicated to all types of Automation that you may find added tips:
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/

[drgoodtrips]

Thanks for the information and the links.  I hadn't seen that section of the forum, yet.

Do you know why, out of curiosity, that functionality was introduced but subsequently removed?  I would think two-way communication a natural progression.  Were there a lot of problems with it or did it not work very well?

[Brian H]

Could be they where not too popular. Also on power up they send an extended request to the controller that should know its present state as they have no memory with a power loss and need to know their last state. I had one start a firestorm of X10 signals when my Smarthome Repeater got into a infinite loop of signals.

One down side of any brand two way module. The Transmitting circuits in them absorb X10 signals if not the sending module. Same goes for controllers that can send over the power line. So a marginal one way setup may become unresponsive in the weaker areas if two way modules are substituted.

Since Insteon is two way. Many have found their X10 systems get worse as more modules where added while the Insteon got more reliable as the modules resend data until the addressed unit acknowledges. They do not repeat X10 signals even if they are set with an X10 address.

[drgoodtrips]

That's good to know.  Thanks for the information.  I suppose now I should either think about looking into Insteon or think of some other way to accomplish my larger goal.  A third option would be modifying the X10 devices I buy, but I don't really want to do that unless I have to.

But, whatever I do, I'm glad you brought those potential drawbacks to light for me.

[JPe]

se for A10 modules of for PLC modules(X10 look-a-like), that are two-way modules,
(A10 is compatible with X10)
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/info/a10/

[JPe]

With PLC ,  I mean  PLCBUS, not sure if it's avialable in USA voltage, but Google is I presume?
see for UK at   http://x10-hk.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=22_25&products_id=87

[dave w]

se for A10 modules of for PLC modules(X10 look-a-like), that are two-way modules,
(A10 is compatible with X10)
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/info/a10/

FWIW
"A10" technology is manufactured by ACT (Advanced Control Technologies) the home of Phil Kingery of the "Uncle Phil" PLC/X10 tutorials.

http://www.act-solutions.com/PCC/

ACT is still making PLC products with X10 protocols.

[Dan Lawrence]

I checked out the link you provided and found zilch usable on an x10 system.   

[dave w]

I checked out the link you provided and found zilch usable on an x10 system.   

That's odd, I found a ton of stuff. The URL is for the ACT PCC/PLC home page...you do have to drill down a little.  Here let me do it for you.

http://www.act-solutions.com/PCC/PCCSpecFrame.htm

[Dan Lawrence]

I used your link and after a bit more browsing found the X10 compatible stuff, but virtually all are stuff I either can't use or not interested it getting.   

[dave w]

I used your link and after a bit more browsing found the X10 compatible stuff, but virtually all are stuff I either can't use or not interested it getting.   

DAN!! Come on, you didn't look very hard. You need one of these Command Center baby's!!

It would look great on your coffee table.

http://www.act-solutions.com/PCC/pdfs/PCCSpecs/td140.pdf


And I'm gonna ask Santa (Phil, are you reading this?) for one of these for Christmas. It will work great with my new Volp X10 Signal Level Meter. 

http://www.act-solutions.com/PCC/pdfs/PCCSpecs/at001si_spec.PDF

[Dan Lawrence]

I used your link and after a bit more browsing found the X10 compatible stuff, but virtually all are stuff I either can't use or not interested it getting.   

DAN!! Come on, you didn't look very hard. You need one of these Command Center baby's!!

It would look great on your coffee table.

http://www.act-solutions.com/PCC/pdfs/PCCSpecs/td140.pdf


And I'm gonna ask Santa (Phil, are you reading this?) for one of these for Christmas. It will work great with my new Volp X10 Signal Level Meter. 

http://www.act-solutions.com/PCC/pdfs/PCCSpecs/at001si_spec.PDF

Interesting, but I don't have a coffee table and the unit is much, much too big for me.   

[HA Dave]

DAN!! Come on, you didn't look very hard. You need one of these Command Center baby's!! It would look great on your coffee table.

http://www.act-solutions.com/PCC/pdfs/PCCSpecs/td140.pdf