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[Freeman]

Been done before but this is a quick question I was hoping someone would be able to help me with! In a couple of days I'm driving to the city to buy myself some X10 products for a few purposes, Automate my room lighting, and creating a Party Button.

So to the question! I would like to build a custom box with a nice big red mushroom button that activates a macro on my computer called Party Time! this macro just needs to turn off all room lights, close my blindes and turn on some music. Pretty straight forward however I'm not sure the best way of going about this.

I am thinking of something like the button activating a powerflash module which then starts a batch script (is this possible, can I have a module tell my computer to run a batch script)

Oh and I only have the Winplus http://www.winplus.com.au/automated-modules.html range available to me!

Any help would be muchly appreciated and pics and videos will follow my success!

Regards,
Sam

[-Bill- (of wgjohns.com)]

Been done before but this is a quick question I was hoping someone would be able to help me with! In a couple of days I'm driving to the city to buy myself some X10 products for a few purposes, Automate my room lighting, and creating a Party Button.

So to the question! I would like to build a custom box with a nice big red mushroom button that activates a macro on my computer called Party Time! this macro just needs to turn off all room lights, close my blindes and turn on some music. Pretty straight forward however I'm not sure the best way of going about this.

I am thinking of something like the button activating a powerflash module which then starts a batch script (is this possible, can I have a module tell my computer to run a batch script)

Oh and I only have the Winplus http://www.winplus.com.au/automated-modules.html range available to me!

Any help would be muchly appreciated and pics and videos will follow my success!

Regards,
Sam

A little Home Automation Chat later and we're underway!

Turns out, WinPlus in Australia calls the Powerflash a "Winplus Home Automation Smart Trigger Controller".

A rose is a rose by any other name. 

 

[Freeman]

Out to buy all the parts tomorrow, so by tomorrow night we should have a successful write-up! Fingers Crossed 

[dave w]

Out to buy all the parts tomorrow, so by tomorrow night we should have a successful write-up! Fingers Crossed 

A working "Party Button" by tomorrow night? Are you also driving the Obama Health Plan?

[HA Dave]

...A working "Party Button" by tomorrow night? Are you also driving the Obama Health Plan?

Yeah... sounds like he wants to seriously alter his room... before his parents return and catch him... hummmm.

To do a one-day Party Button... like in the (<) video. I would:

• Hack a palmpad remote, clamping down a single button, then cutting and running the power (from the batteries) to the Big Red plunger Button. Pushing the button would in effect press the PalmPad remotes button. The PalmPad could be concealed in the project box.
• Then... (I would forget programing anything) I would merely make all the devices the same House/unit code. All goes on... all goes off.
• I would purchase 2 each TM751 Transceivers so I wouldn't need to deal with any phase issues. And the unit code I would use for the setup would be 1 (so I could use the transceivers as modules too).
• For music... I would use a [continues play] MP3 player on and running... but connected to a powered speaker setup (like a good computer set) that can be controlled by an appliance module (or TM751)

This could be setup in a day (or five X10 minutes).

[Freeman]

...A working "Party Button" by tomorrow night? Are you also driving the Obama Health Plan?

Party button tonight, Obama Health Plan tomorrow, we'll see how we go

Yeah... sounds like he wants to seriously alter his room... before his parents return and catch him... hummmm.

To do a one-day Party Button... like in the (<) video. I would:

• Hack a palmpad remote, clamping down a single button, then cutting and running the power (from the batteries) to the Big Red plunger Button. Pushing the button would in effect press the PalmPad remotes button. The PalmPad could be concealed in the project box.
• Then... (I would forget programing anything) I would merely make all the devices the same House/unit code. All goes on... all goes off.
• I would purchase 2 each TM751 Transceivers so I wouldn't need to deal with any phase issues. And the unit code I would use for the setup would be 1 (so I could use the transceivers as modules too).
• For music... I would use a [continues play] MP3 player on and running... but connected to a powered speaker setup (like a good computer set) that can be controlled by an appliance module (or TM751)

This could be setup in a day (or five X10 minutes).

I'd say my rush in all this is over excitement, I get an idea in my head then boom it has be done ASAP, at least I have an espresso machine to keep me company and no parents to worry about. Oh and not house mates either they're both in Turkey! YEHAAAA.

As for the PalmPad Remote that was the first method I thought off, however I dislike the mp3 part and would love for some extension possibilities! so my plan of attack is:

Parts:
1x Big red mushroom button
1x Project box
1x Smart Trigger Controller (for you in the US of A that would be a PowerFlash module)
Coffee
Hands
Computer

Was thinking of closing the circuit on the Smart Trigger while on Mode3 (Thanks Bill) with my Big Red Mushroom  which sends the appropriate house/unit code which Mr PC picks up, runs a macro to switch off lights, but also to active a custom plugin to play my music, send an email to friends on my street (alerting them of the imminent Party/Danger) and a host of other interesting things I have yet to think off.

However I will also be buying all the parts that Dave_x10 lists so if my idea doesn't work I'll have a shot and yours! Hopefully my room will eventually be the next MIDAS!

I'll keep ya'll posted

[HA Dave]

...Party button tonight, Obama Health Plan tomorrow

Can't believe your not an American... you sure SOUND like one.

Hopefully my room will eventually be the next MIDAS!

Don't forget to make your YouTube video!

[Freeman]

...Party button tonight, Obama Health Plan tomorrow

Can't believe your not an American... you sure SOUND like one.

Hopefully my room will eventually be the next MIDAS!

Don't forget to make your YouTube video!

Hahaha what made you think I was American? I'm actually an Englishmen living in Australia 

[dave w]

This could be setup in a day (or five X10 minutes).

 

[Freeman]

This has to be put on hold as I could only get a handful of products yesterday see my post in General "What a Steal" however last night I ordered a Ultimate Starter Kit +remote +extra light fitting so that should more than get me on my way!

Sam