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[Coyotefred]

Hello all,

I searched around the forum here and couldn't find an answer to this, but if it's been addressed before please point me in the right direction.

I've been slowly adding X10 modules over the past year and decided to install a x10 switch to control a basic (but not X-10) motion-activated floodlight on my porch, hoping that this would allow me to remotely turn this "off" and "on" remotely as needed when I'm away from home.

Well I installed the WS-467 and it doesn't seem to work--either controlling the outdoor light via AHP or manually at the switch.  It will turn on "sometimes" using both of these methods, but inconsistently and not most of the time.  I have old house wiring (no neutral) so just two wires going to the old switch it replaced.

I know there are X-10 motion sensors and outdoor lights with onboard X10 modules and installing one of those might be the best way to go, but for the time being I was hoping to use the existing non-x10 motion light with the wall switch if that would work.  Are there any known issues/problems with doing this (it has incandescent not CF bulbs by thew way).

Thanks!

[Brian H]

The WS467 steals power through the load. Which should be incandescent type.
Since the lights have electronics in them for motion detection and on off control. The WS467 can not work properly.

If you had a neutral then the WS13A with a relay style output would probably work.

You maybe better with a X10 style floodlight fixture.

Another option would be a fixture style module like an XPFM in the fixtures electrical box; but that would still need an added part with the old fixtures.

[Coyotefred]

Hmmmm....that would explain it.  So if I were to get a unit like the PHS01 http://www.amazon.com/X10-Floodlight-Motion-Detector-model/dp/B0018LKA5K that would obviously allow to me to remotely turn the unit "off" and "on" remotely via the AHP software...  But what about manual control?  I don't use the x10 remotes around the house at this point and would prefer to just use a wall switch like I've been using... ?

[Dan Lawrence]

I use a PRO Wall Switch Appliance Module to control a PRS511 Floodlight so it only operates at certain times, not 24 hours a day.

[Brian H]

You may want to check the X10 sales site.
I believe the X10 version of the unit is on sale.
http://www.x10.com/promotions/pr511_ed_alert_1m_promo.html

With only a switch loop you would not be able to  use a X10 wall switch or controller.
You could use a standard wall switch to kill the AC to it during the day.

[Coyotefred]

That looks like the way to go...thanks for your help!

[Coyotefred]

'Just a reply to my own original post here for the future reference of others, or perhaps some additional advice from you pros... 

I finally got around to buying and installing the PR511 motion sensor with dual floodlights.  It looks like a solid unit and installation was a snap, but in the end it still doesn't allow me to do what I want to do....turn the floodlight OFF remotely.  From what I can see, you can:

1. turn the PR511 "ON" using an X10 controller which keeps the lights "ON" permanently with or without motion (if you're having a party outside or wanting to work outside, etc.)

2. turn the PR511 "OFF" using an X10 controller; contrary to what you might think, this doesn't actually turn the unit "off," but rather puts it in normal "motion mode," ready to turn on when it detects motion.  It does not turn the unit "off" like, say, a wall switch would

So this still leaves no way to actually turn the flood "OFF" remotely, say if you had really windy conditions and didn't want to be wasting energy and you didn't feel a security need was there justifying the protection.  From what I can see, the critical link is still an X10 wall switch which I wasn't able to make work.  At that point a "normal" (non-X10) flood would work just as well, although it wouldn't give you that capability to trigger other X10 modules if you were wanting that...

'Any additional thoughts/ideas appreciated

Coyotefred

[Tuicemen]

You could always run new wire to just that switch!
I know, not the suggestion you were looking for!
 

[JeffVolp]

Our PR511's are wired directly to power, so there is no way to turn them off except via X10 commands.  They never come on unexpectedly except during lightning storms.  Wind should not be a factor unless there are things blowing around that are not at the outdoor ambient temperature.

Unfortunately, you need a relay switch with a neutral connection if you do want to turn them off entirely.

Another option might be a macro triggered by the PR511 "ON" command to echo back an OFF command when you don't want them on.

Jeff

[Coyotefred]

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the help.  Wind is factor because I have some bushes/trees right near the doorway within motion detector range.  So if the unit is running, I'm going to be getting false positives much of the time.

Could you be a little more specific on setting up that macro option you're referring to...I'm not exactly clear what you're suggesting.

Thanks for your time!

[dave w]

Is there room to install a XPFM in line Appliance Module in the box with the PR511?

http://www.x10pro.com/pro/catalog/receivers.html#wire

[JeffVolp]

Wind is factor because I have some bushes/trees right near the doorway within motion detector range.  So if the unit is running, I'm going to be getting false positives much of the time.

Could you be a little more specific on setting up that macro option you're referring to...I'm not exactly clear what you're suggesting.

We have bushes under one of our PR511's, and there are never any false triggers on windy days.  As long as the branches are the same temperature as the background, they will be invisible to the motion detector.  It will only detect objects that are a different temperature from the background, such as a warm body.

The PR511 can transmit an "ON" command when it activates.  That can be used to trigger a macro in a controller such as the CM11A or CM15A to delay a second or so, and then issue an OFF command to turn the floodlights back off.  You would have to condition that macro with a flag to only run when you want the motion detector disabled.

Jeff

[Coyotefred]

Huh...interesting on the motion detection technology...I will leave it on and see if I have issues with the tree.

I did reinstall the WS-467 wall switch again and it does now work as far as turning off/on power to the PR511.  The only issue I now have is that when I "power up" the PR511 with the wall switch, the floods come on and won't usually shut back "off" into "ready mode" for the motion detection.  I think the PR511 instructions say something about needing to activate the motion detector once to do this, but this obviously isn't an option when you're trying to control the whole thing remotely...

[Dan Lawrence]

I would still use the Pro Wall Switch Appliance Module (XPS3) to fully control a PRS511 Floodlight.   AHP can them totally control when it's on and off.

[Brian H]

The WS-467 is not made to control the PR511. That is most likely why it is flaky.