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[mkgriff]

 B:(I am running AHP and while I'm having a great time I have not mastered macros or flags or do I understand them.  I'm sure once they are explained I will be okay, so I'm asking for some help or an explanation.  What I'm wanting to do is have AHP & BVC tell me when my garage door is open, probably about every minute or so.  I'm getting older and forgetful.  Right now I am using a x10 Universal module wired directly to the door opener triggering it as a momentary switch.  Is there a way to tell the computer the door is up?  I was thinking something like this but I'm not sure...

[dave w]

Yup, I use a magnetic window/door switch bought from Radio Shark and a "Powerflash" module. The Powerflash will send a X10 ON signal when the switch is closed and an OFF signal when the switch is opened. You could use macros to keep repeating the message until the door is lowered. I used hot glue and tywraps to fix the switch and magnet along the garge door rail.

[mkgriff]

sounds good.  My only question is what is the difference between a universal module and the power flash module?  I know it's the universal module acts like a switch, I was under the impression the power flash module is for the alarm system.  So what you're doing is when the garage door goes up it opens the circuit and turns on the power flash module, then you're computer report using macros to tell you your door is open.  Then when you close the door the magnetic switches complete the circuit and it shuts up.  Is this all correct?  And magnetic switches I have are normally open, when you apply the magnet they close to complete the circuit.

[mkgriff]

okay I decided to do the logical thing and research the power flash module.  It's amazing what you can find out if you look!  As you already know, and I now know, the power flash unit transmits while the universal unit receives...  So basically what you're doing is using the power flash unit to turn on another X10 module and then have your computer tell you through macros that that module is on.  Just today I downloaded active home Pro to my home office computer (which is much easier for me to use due to the disability).  What I'm going to do is build my active home Pro in the office and then transfer it to the living room/whole house computer, this gives me more time to look around and get used to it.  Okay Dave thanks again!

[dave w]

okay I decided to do the logical thing and research the power flash module.  It's amazing what you can find out if you look!  As you already know, and I now know, the power flash unit transmits while the universal unit receives...  So basically what you're doing is using the power flash unit to turn on another X10 module and then have your computer tell you through macros that that module is on. 

Yes. My Powerflash address is F1 and the magnetic door switch is connected  to the Powerflash terminals. When the garage door is lowered, the the Powerflash sends "F1 ON" and the computer announces through wireless speakers around the house "The garage door is closed".  Obviously you can reverse your logic by the installation position of the magnetic switch on the garage door frame. In my home control system, the F1 address is labeled "Garage Door Closed"

I don't bother repeating the "Garage door is open" message but that would be easy to do with flags in a macro. Other users have also set a lamp module etc. to the Powerflash address so when the door is up, the lamp is ON, indicating the door is open. In this instance you would want the door switch to the Powerflash to close when the door is opened. An advantage to this (having a lamp set to the Powerflash address and installing the magnetic switch to be closed when the door is open) is even if you home control system is down, you would know the door is open.

X10 doesn't advertise the Powerflash or the Universal module much, but these modules can act as the I/O for non 120V home automation. 

[HA Dave]

...Yes. My Powerflash address is F1 and the magnetic door switch is connected  to the Powerflash terminals. When the garage door is lowered, the the Powerflash sends "F1 ON" and the computer announces through wireless speakers around the house "The garage door is closed".  Obviously you can reverse your logic by the installation position of the magnetic switch on the garage door frame. In my home control system, the F1 address is labeled "Garage Door Closed"

I think the Garage Door Announcement gets my highest Wife Aproval Factor. Not only can mine be seen in a YouTube Video... I have the macro available as a download from my Site.

Most recently... I've attached a PowerFlash to a walwart... plugged in to a TV tricklesaver. So now my Occupancy Sensing includes knowing the power status of my TV. I am using the TVs power status in combination with my automated chair... which now has a new mercury tilt-switch. So now my setup includes a nice morning routine.. that includes BVC asking me if I want the TV on... (but only if the TV is off).

AHP, a few macros, (a couple flags), a powerflash module.... and what can be done.. is nearly endless.