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[HA Dave]

I have three good reasons for automating that.... whatever. I read about those reasons years before I'd heard of X10.

Many many years ago (Jimmy Carter was President) I read a magazine piece about why it would be beneficial to install a wood burning stove. Although we did have a energy crisis back then... the piece was in Psychology today and had nothing to do with stoves.

I believed then and still believe now... that home projects are good for us on many levels.

Planning a project out with pencil and paper [or even just imaged in ones head] can be a distraction as pleasant as fishing. My plans often involve tests of devices I am automating... and somethings my tests fail flat out. Most recently.. I hacked a wireless doorbell unit to trigger a PowerFlash Module. I was surprised to find the speaker of the chime unit was a dead short (as far as the PowerFlash was concerned). That and a freezing cold unheated garage (and forgetful memory) almost derailed that project.

Finally I did progress to hanging the wireless camera. Which of course... also meant running wire for the electrical power.

Although there are often simpler ways to do some of the projects I do... most of my projects involve running wire. I guess once a wiretwister always a wiretwister. I know how to fish and conceal wires... and to be honest I even enjoy it. So many (if not much) of my Home Automating does involve running wire.

Working around the house is certainly better for my health than watching reruns and eating ice cream. The benefits of an active life are undeniable. The bending, stretching, and climbing up and down ladders and stairs can even be enough exercise to render me tired after a while. Some Home Automation projects I have to plan out into parts that are performed over a few days. There has to be health benefits involved in the mental exercise of that planning part too.

I love seeing a plan come together. Everyone loves seeing their plans come to a good completion. Its a good feeling. It can be very self satisfying to take an idea to a completed and working piece of Home Automation. I have written/posted before about how I sometimes giggle or even laugh out loud when I see a project in action.

So there are the three reasons for automating that ..... whatever. Good clean healthy mental activity,  physical exercise and a good self satisfied feeling. And yeah... Home Automation is nice too.

[evadorev]

you take the words out of my mouth !!!!!!

I also like your last phrase talking about the possibilities of home automation, it`s really true.

I work as an electrician and i love the challenge of running wires and making planned stuff become reality.

I also think that is good for belly reduction too !!!! lol!!!

[HA Dave]

I work as an electrician and i love the challenge of running wires and making planned stuff become reality.

I do understand!  On the recent project I had mentioned:

......... Most recently.. I hacked a wireless doorbell unit to trigger a PowerFlash Module. I was surprised to find the speaker of the chime unit was a dead short (as far as the PowerFlash was concerned). That and a freezing cold unheated garage (and forgetful memory) almost derailed that project.

Finally I did progress to hanging the wireless camera. Which of course... also meant running wire for the electrical power.

I have my doorbell cam up and running! Ring my doorbell and I get an emailed image of the person that presses the bell button. It's a hoot! And a great way to know (remotely) if a package arrived. I got that project idea from knightrider.

[IPS]

Dave is it possible to copy your door bell project? I have tried using sensor but it works when it wants to. I also would like to connect to BVC so that presence of the visitor is announced.
Thanks.

[HA Dave]

Dave is it possible to copy your door bell project?

Unfortunately... the Doorbell macro idea isn't mine... the idea was Knightrider's. But I will gladly share the information with you [as I am sure Knightrider would]. My best ideas are generally someone elses.

My older home had once had a hardwired doorbell. a previous owner replaced it with a wireless chime. I replaced the wornout wireless with newer GE wireless doorbell units. The two GE units I selected.. have a LED light that blinks when it chimes. One of the two units also flashes a strobe (I have that one in the theater). Both operate on C cell batteries.

The original wired bell would have been simpler to hack. But the GE doorbell chimes were easy too. I simply used the little blinking red light current to wire to a powerflash module (PF284-HA). Although I have since gone back and borrowed the power/feed from the speaker in the doorbell unit with the powerflash set to A3.

I then created a macro in AHP [and iwitness] and connected a camera to the PC via the X10 USB video adapter. I have both the VA11A and the newer HD VA12A... and I use the older one because it works better with my old PC.

The hacked/modified chime triggers the PowerFlash Module and sets it all in motion. (AHP) iwitness emails me two snapshots captured by the X10 wireless color camera about as fast as the button can be pressed. At the same time the VCR commander triggers a recording.. I am using a VCR now... but a DVR is taking its place.

I have tried using sensor but it works when it wants to. I also would like to connect to BVC so that presence of the visitor is announced.

The sensor may have RF problems... particularly if its trying to signal the CM15A. You may want to try a passive reflector antenna (also known as a 9 1/4 inch piece of coat hanger hot glued to the "eye" sensor). http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=10982.msg62760#msg62760

I am big fan of BVC and I really like the announcements too. Have you seen my YouTube channel? [links below]

Ive attached a cropped image of a package delivered to my door (step).