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[Brian H]

Thank you for sharing your findings.
I am sure it will assist others.

How old where your old Powerhorns?
Do you have a date code from the little white sticker on them?

[tom j]

Ok,
here is my review of the SC1200 unit. i got mine last week and set it up over the weekend. (in my part of the world this was a long weekend so I had lots of time). I believe that for the most part this one is a great improvement over the 7000.
First, the power sirens (both old and new) do work if they are on the same housecode (do not have to be on the unit code) BUT there is about a 15 -20 second delay before they start. If they are on the same housecode they will work as they would when triggered from any device on their code.
Second, it does turn on only 2 unit codes when the alarm is triggered and they cycle on and off at about 3 second intervals. Personally I have no problem with this as now I can specifically set up a macro in Activehome Pro for only the units I want on during an alarm. (Having the furnace room lit proves nothing).
Third, (this I really like) when you activate the alarm the housecode comes on to let you know that it has been armed. I have one housecode set to my front porchlight and when we use the remote from the driveway we get a flash to acknowledge our triggering of the alarm.
The type of activation varies with how you set the alarm. If you do it from a keychain remote you get a 1 second flash. If you arm it from the home button on the console you also get a 1 second flash. If you arm it for away from the console you get a 60 second countdown to allow you to exit before it arms itself.
The range is at least as good as the 7000 since I was able to put it in place and had no trouble with any of my existing sensors.
I hope this helps,
Wayne

Waynemore could you provide the macro you created to flash the lights you wanted during the alarm cycle. And Brian any idea whay it takes longer to get the powerhorns online, only takes a few maybe 3 or 4 seconds with the older ds7000. 

Tom j.

[Brian H]

Powehorns respond to a cycle of X10 power line commands.
Either its address with an on and off or an All Lights On; All Units Off {actually the rare All Lights Off also worked for me} to its House Code.

The DS7000 sends All Lights; On All Units Off. It could also have used the Security Light Address and an On and Off.
The SC1200 sends two X10 addresses first. Then the On or Off. Like B1, B2, BOn. Then B1, B2, BOff.

Normally it takes two or three cycles to trigger the Powerhorn and it continues for about four seconds after the cycle of power line signals stops.

My feeling it is the cycle of commands charging a capacitor to a trigger voltage level. The second address sent by the SC1200 allows the capacitor to start discharging before the next cycle starts. Thus it takes longer for the trigger voltage to be reached. My older ones didn't ever seem to trigger, but I didn't wait for thirty seconds. The newer ones I think maybe redesigned to work better with the two addresses and the On or Off command.
IMHO Thirty seconds for a siren to start is way too long.

[bigjohn9944]

I agree with Brian's theory about the delay being caused by the additional addresses being sent.

When I initially tested my existing powerhorn with the new console, it was not set to the console's "lamp code" and din't activate however, I didn't wait 20 or 30 seconds. I changed the powerhorn's unit code to the code selected in the console and it works fine, except for a slightly longer delay in activation, maybe another second but nowhere near 20 or 30 seconds.

My existing powerhorn is in a garage eave so it's hard to get to. When I get a chance, I'll pull a couple horns from stock and try one set to the secondary (the +1) unit code and the other to any other number and time them.

[Brian H]

Well you probably know. X10 does not tell you when changes are made and keep the same model numbers. 

My 2004 date code Powerhorns didn't trigger on either security code; but I never waited for thirty seconds.
My 2007 did. They probably changed something.

Like the early Soft Start LM465s. They didn't flash correctly with the DS7000. They tried to ramp On and Off. The newer ones ramp for the first cycle then revert to fast On and Off. Flashing correctly.

Now this was with a RS 49-1000. So it could be different or the same as the SC1200 that has new logos on the parts. 

Tomorrow I should have time to do extended trigger time tests. With both my 2004 and 2007 Powerhorns and the 49-1000 kit console.

[tom j]

Powehorns respond to a cycle of X10 power line commands.
Either its address with an on and off or an All Lights On; All Units Off {actually the rare All Lights Off also worked for me} to its House Code.

The DS7000 sends All Lights; On All Units Off. It could also have used the Security Light Address and an On and Off.
The SC1200 sends two X10 addresses first. Then the On or Off. Like B1, B2, BOn. Then B1, B2, BOff.

Normally it takes two or three cycles to trigger the Powerhorn and it continues for about four seconds after the cycle of power line signals stops.

My feeling it is the cycle of commands charging a capacitor to a trigger voltage level. The second address sent by the SC1200 allows the capacitor to start discharging before the next cycle starts. Thus it takes longer for the trigger voltage to be reached. My older ones didn't ever seem to trigger, but I didn't wait for thirty seconds. The newer ones I think maybe redesigned to work better with the two addresses and the On or Off command.
IMHO Thirty seconds for a siren to start is way too long.

IMHO Thirty seconds for a siren to start is way too long.

That's what I'm saying 30 second is way to long. The sirens are suppose to be a deterrent and possibly dissuade a would be thief from entering in the first place heck 30 seconds and he could very well be in once in a quick smash and grab and he's out again. Just don't know who could of signed off on this. And are you saying the newly designed powerhorns my take less time to come on line.




Tom j.

[Brian H]

I can not say if the newer Powerhorn PH508 or SH10A react differently.

I believe one report was about six seconds which is not too much over the four seconds I have seen with a DS7000.

I only have 04 and 05 date code PH508s and 04 and 07 date code SH10As.

My RS 40-1000 console sends the two security codes in an On Off cycle. I believe the SC1200 is very similar.

All the PH508's do not trigger and this time I waited over one minute. None triggered but when set to the first security code. Beeped momentarily on disarm. 

The SH10As. The 04 date code units did not trigger. The 07 ones did in between ten and eighteen seconds.

bigjohn9944 as a vendor may have newer ones to try. When he gets a chance and I appreciate the time he has found to help us.

Best if we don't make a complete judgement yet

[Brian H]

Well many here may have guessed this already.
Though I swore I would let others carry the ball in testing it.
I ordered one today. 

So along with other posts.
I will be testing and reporting myself.

I did note in the X10 SC1200 and Radio Shack 49-1000 manuals. Both list the same FCC ID number. So I am leaning towards them being the same. Just different logos and model numbers on the cases.

[bigjohn9944]

OK, here's what I found with the PH508's.

The oldest I had was one I had installed in my garage eave and that one has an 09J date. What I have in stock are 10F dated.

Using the DS7000, they activate in 6 seconds. With the new console, 9 seconds.
I tried setting them to both the console selected "lamp code" and the +1 with the same timing result.

When set to any other unit code, they will not activate at all.

Looking at my AHP activity monitor I can see why the activation interval is longer with the new console.

The newer PH508's will activate after completion of two manually sent ON/OFF cycles.

The DS7000 Only has to send
ALL LIGHTS ON
ALL UNITS OFF
ALL LIGHTS ON
ALL UNITS OFF
before the Horns activate.

The new console has to send (in my configuration where A7 is the selected "lamp code"
A7
A8
A ON
A7
A8
A OFF
A7
A8
A ON
A7
A8
A OFF
before the horns "see" two complete ON/OFF cycles and activate

It takes only 6 seconds for the DS7000 to send its required two cycles whereas the new console takes 9 seconds. Thus the delay difference. Make sense?

IF X10 cleans up the manuals I may decide to sell this product as a system but probably not just the console as an "upgraded replacement" for the DS7000 as X10 is selling it.

Since Brian bit the bullet and ordered one, I'll be interested in seeing his results with some of the older horns.

I haven't played with the new door or motion sensors but when I do, I'll post my findings.

[tom j]

Well many here may have guessed this already.
Though I swore I would let others carry the ball in testing it.
I ordered one today. 

So along with other posts.
I will be testing and reporting myself.

I did note in the X10 SC1200 and Radio Shack 49-1000 manuals. Both list the same FCC ID number. So I am leaning towards them being the same. Just different logos and model numbers on the cases.

Hum... Say WHAT?? You did order one. Well actually can't wait for your report when did you place your order and when do you think you might get it. I was actually thinking of biting the bullet myself but now that you ordered one I'll wait to see how you feel about it. Let me make sure I understand you were using the older RS version when you discovered the large powerhorns didn't work. If so think they might have upgraded the newer model to work with them. Just a little confused. Thanks Brian!!  Good luck with it.   

Tom j.

[tom j]

OK, here's what I found with the PH508's.

The oldest I had was one I had installed in my garage eave and that one has an 09J date. What I have in stock are 10F dated.

Using the DS7000, they activate in 6 seconds. With the new console, 9 seconds.
I tried setting them to both the console selected "lamp code" and the +1 with the same timing result.

When set to any other unit code, they will not activate at all.

Looking at my AHP activity monitor I can see why the activation interval is longer with the new console.

The newer PH508's will activate after completion of two manually sent ON/OFF cycles.

The DS7000 Only has to send
ALL LIGHTS ON
ALL UNITS OFF
ALL LIGHTS ON
ALL UNITS OFF
before the Horns activate.

The new console has to send (in my configuration where A7 is the selected "lamp code"
A7
A8
A ON
A7
A8
A OFF
A7
A8
A ON
A7
A8
A OFF
before the horns "see" two complete ON/OFF cycles and activate

It takes only 6 seconds for the DS7000 to send its required two cycles whereas the new console takes 9 seconds. Thus the delay difference. Make sense?

IF X10 cleans up the manuals I may decide to sell this product as a system but probably not just the console as an "upgraded replacement" for the DS7000 as X10 is selling it.

Since Brian bit the bullet and ordered one, I'll be interested in seeing his results with some of the older horns.

I haven't played with the new door or motion sensors but when I do, I'll post my findings.

Say thanks for the posting!!!  you really cleared up a lot and I can plainly see why there is a sight lag 3 seconds not sure I would even notice it.
Just not sure about this could you please go over it again. Are you saying you set both light codes to the same number? like A1, A1 not sure I understand exactly what you're saying.

Tom j.

When set to any other unit code, they will not activate at all.

[Brian H]

Yes I have a 49-1000 in the box. I played with it and used it to assist other with them.
I decided it was time to get the SC1200 19 piece kit and install it.
Purchasing just the extra parts would cost about as much as the whole kit.

Ordered this morning.
Free shipping that x10 said could take ten days as I didn't want to pay the $8.99 5 day FedEx.
Got an email from an X10 sales person asking if I wanted to expand the order.  
Tonight I got a Order has shipped email.
Have not checked the FedEx tracking number. If it was from the NJ warehouse to me in CT. Should not be too long.

Do I think they updated the Powerhorns. Probably.
Do I think the SC1200 was upgraded over my 49-1000. Not sure but looking more doubtful by the minute.

[Brian H]

You can't set both light codes to the same address.
You set the first one in the menu and the second one is one unit code higher.
If you go past 16 it loops back.

bigjohn9944's findings look just like mine do from the 49-1000.
First address, second address then an On. Followed by first address, second address then an Off.
Cycle of. A7, A8 A On. A7 A8 A Off.

Powerhorns only sound when set to either light code and not any other ones. As the All Lights On, All Units off are not sent by the new SC1200 or my 49-1000.

[bigjohn9944]

Tom
When you program the SC1200 console, you select the house code and a "lamp code". This is the unit code that the system will flash when triggered. It will also flash the next unit code. So, if you select unit 7 as the lamp code, unit 8 will also flash.

Here's the weird thing. When you press "LIGHTS ON" on the remote, you would think that the selected unit will turn on (7 in my case) but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, the + 1 code turns on.

Brian, if your tracking number starts with "02" it will take a little longer. That designates Fedex "smart post" (I call it DUMB POST) which is ultimately delivered by the Post office.

I'm in the Chicago area, which is two fedex ground days from the NJ warehouse. But if the warehouse screws up and ships an order to me via DUMB POST, it takes a week.

[Brian H]

SmartPost as they have in the past.
So maybe a week.
Though sometimes if the moon is aligned just right. I get them is less than a week.