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[stockengineer]

Hello,

Recently bought a V572A and was under the impression that I can use it to view and control X10 products through RS232. Does X10 offer a program that can control modules via RS232 and the V572A or would I have to get a PC control module instead. Thank you.

P.s: For those of you interest the main plan is to control the house via RS232. Read status and send commands. Hope it is possible.

[Puck]

Recently bought a V572A and was under the impression that I can use it to view and control X10 products through RS232.

I think you may have misinterpreted what the V572A is and does. It cannot control any X10 product by itself; it can only convert X10 RF signals and send them along the house wiring as PLC signals. The RS232 interface is only for configuring what X10 house codes are alllowed. There is no way to send, receive or monitor X10 information via its RS232 interface.

The V572A is a very good device and will greatly improve your X10 RF signal reception, but you will still need some other PC interface that can listen/talk to the power lines.

There is an older Active Home software and interface that used RS232 as the PC interface. The newer Active Home Pro uses USB.

[Mellowmark]

There is an older Active Home software and interface that used RS232 as the PC interface

Here is the old setup.
http://www.x10.com/automation/firecracker.htm

[Brian H]

The Firecracker kit is not what you want. The CM17A firecracker module only sends X10 RF signals to the TM751 Tranceiver also in the kit. It was powered and controlled by a serial port of a computer.

The older Active Home software and CM11A interface was the CK11A kit. That is now discontinued.
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_ck11a.htm
You may still find the RCA HC60RX OEM version of the CM11A on some automation vendors web sites.
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/Home/Computer-Interfaces/CM11A-RCA
http://software.x10.com/pub/manuals/hc60rx_om.pdf
http://software.x10.com/pub/manuals/ck11a_om.pdf

You mentioned reading status of modules?
All of the present X10 modules are one way. You can not send them a status request and get a reply back. The discontinued two way modules. LM14A and AM14A would respond back with a status request.

[stockengineer]

Thank you everyone for the great replies.

Obviously just getting my head around the modules. I am currently looking at the CM15 for PC control. (Note: Not sure if it makes any difference but I am in Australia).

Here is my idea for those interested:
Use a PC as the "main control". With the software that I am familiar with remote control via internet is very easy.
Press a button (1) on a 433MHz remote (KR22) open garage door.
Press button two, open electronics strike door.
Press button three, turn off the alarm system (SC28). However, was hoping to get rid of the SC28 and use the CM15 to disable and enable the alarm on the PC so status can be monitored over the internet, remotely.
I understand it can be done with one button and macros but sometimes you dont want everything to happen in the same order.

Was also hoping to control everything remotely, i.e open the front door for trades people etc.

I have a few motion sensors (MS18) and a few door sensors DS18. However, I think they use 433MHz as well. Not sure how to figure out what their house and unit code is. Was hoping that the V572A will receive the 433MHz convert to X10 send that to the CM15 and either rs232 or usb I can then "see" the format that it gets send and hopefully duplicate that with 3rd party software that I am very familiar with and receive all the motion and door open commands through the PC.

I can then use the motion sensor to start the video cameras, firewire, usb or firewire as they are cheaper than the ones X10 sells.

I currently have a bar where I can check inventory through the PC as I barcode scan all items in and out of the bar. Lots of fun and my mates constantly debug my beta attempts.

Please do not ask why,I do not really need any of this, I just really like automating things and pressing buttons.

[Brian H]

Thank you for the added information on what you want to accomplish.
It will assist in finding the information you wanted.

The V572A is for the US and Canada. On the RF frequency of 310.MHz.
The V572AE is for the International RF Frequency of 433.92 MHz.

There are many here that love to automate things and push buttons. Most like to share their experiences and how they did it.

You may want to look at Dave's site to see some of what he has done. With x10 and some added programs.

http://davesdomainonline.com/bvc/bvc.htm