Hey guys
I got a gift certificate for X10 as a gift, and I'm pretty excited about trying this stuff out.
First, let me just say that, the X10 website is really, really, a turn off.
It comes across as scammy, and for some reason it really doesn't seem to have all the one would expect.
72 hour sale ending in X minutes? Come on. Give me some credit.
I just want to figure out what I need, pick the exact items, and get a good price. I don't want to be ripped off,
and pay more than I should, just because I wasn't able to find the exact 'combo deal' in all the *pages and pages and pages*
of sales and what not. It's ridiculous.
I doubt anyone here can help with that part though. What I DO need help with is conceptualizing and planning my X10 starting point.
So here's my questions, in no particular order.
1) Controlling and communication - I don't understand if some devices (ie: socket rocket) actually receive RF commands, or whether they receive commands that (I assume) are transmitted through the power connections, like my power-line networking modules do.
2) CFL and dimmable CFL. All the lights in my house are CFL's with very few exceptions. Some would be fine just to turn on and off remotely. Others I want to dim. I did a little reading in the forum and I just couldn't figure out a straight permanent answer to this. What modules can I use? There is a "CFL lamp module" listed, actually, its the only one that references CFL, but when you go to the details, it doesn't even mention CFL! I would purchase actual dimmable CFL bulbs where I want to dim, but otherwise I have just plain jane CFL's. I read stuff about modules allowing a low current through the bulb to power themselves off of, and this perhaps reducing bulb lifetime, or not working at all.
Would someone summarize this for me? I have both lamps and light fixtures I want to control, and some of both that I would like to dim, but I don't know what modules to use, and how they are controlled (wired/RF).
2b) I'm using a dimming lamp with regular CFL's right now. They produce a buzzing noise. Even though I don't "dim" the light, am I wrecking the bulbs, or unknowingly doing something else bad here? Like creating electrical noise or something?
3) I've changed out exactly 3 light fixtures in my life, and thats about my experience with house wiring. So I don't mind wiring this stuff in, but, I'm not going to understand anything beyond the basic simple explanations.
However, I'm extremely computer savvy and will no doubt want to integrate this stuff with my house PVR setup. I'm not afraid to do a little soldering, but I'd prefer not to if I didn't have to especially at the beginning here.
I think I'll leave it there for the moment, because Im sure the answers to these will shape the next round. Thanks in advance for your patience!