USING 2 AHP IN ONE HOME. POSSIBLE?

[flavio silva]

Hi, guys,

Is it possible to use two AHP in the same
home? I'm asking this because itá a big
house and the remotes would be out of range.
Thanks!

[roger1818]

Flavio:  You probably could if one was only
programmed as a trasceiver.  This could
cause some unexpected behaviour (such as
double diming and macros running twice) if
both were to receive the same command.  As
a result, I would reccomend using either an
RF extender or a premium RF transceiver
instead.

[flavio silva]

Roger,

I was planning to use 2 or 3 AHPs, but
monitoring in each one ONLY THE HOUSE CODES
used on each "sector" of the house. For
example, I could use House code "H" for the
pool area. There, I'd have switches
using "H" house code and macros using..
say "C" house code.
Then, I'd set this AHP for monitoring ONLY
house codes "C" and "H".

Also, I'd have another AHP on the living
room area, usng house code "F" and "B". And
set it to monitor only these...
Would it work?
Flavio

[Brian H]

Sounds like it may work. You may want to
look at an all house code tranceiver and one
controller. Some have had great range with a
WGL V572AB

[flavio silva]

Hi, Brian,

"WGL V572AB".

What's this, please?

[Brian H]

All house code receiver by WGL. Most mount
it in  high place in the house. It uses an
X10 TW523 or X10Pro X10 powerline interface
to send the received data back on the power
line. Can be programed to ignore some house
codes if a neighbor is using them. Made by
WGL Designs. Many X10 or Automation dealers
carry them.
www.wgldesigns.com
There is a whole set of tests I and others
did in a message thread on www.accessx10.com

[flavio silva]

Bryan,

Thanks a bunch!!

I might try with another AHP plus a range
expander, which will be almost the same
price as the WGL All House Receiver
providing more flexibility, I guess...

[Brian H]

Should work as long as you keep the house
codes different.

[flavio silva]

Hi. Bryan,

I'll let you know!

Flavio

[roger1818]

Flavio:  You can get the V572AB (which
includes the powerline interface) from
Automated Outlet for $80.

If you do go with the multiple transceiver
option, and you are programming some to
transceive only one house code, you might
want to consider an RR501 instead.  It
costs $18 from Automated Outlet.  I
wouldn’t recommend buying the TM751, as it
doesn’t have collision protection (this is
especially important if it is transceiving
motion sensors).

[flavio silva]

Roger,

Now I'm puzzled...

I'm planning to use two or more AHPs spread
over the house, controlling each of them a
set of house codes and a set of macros...
No tranceiver...
Waddayya think?

[roger1818]

Flavio:  Sorry for confusing you.

My first point was that if you are planning
on using 2 additional (3 total) CM15As you
would probably be better off using the
V572AB.  I haven’t used it myself, but I
have read that people are getting a range
of 150 feet (optimistically you are
probably only able to get about 20 or 30
feet with a CM15A) so for less money you
will get much better coverage.

My second point was if you decide to go
with the multiple transceiver (CM15A)
option to consider using one or more
RR501s.  They cost much less than a CM15A
and have a similar range.  The disadvantage
is that it will only transceive one house
code, but if you were planning on
programming a CM15A to transceive one or
two house codes, it wouldn’t be a problem.

I hope this is clearer.

[flavio silva]

Roger,

Thanks or clarifying things.

But one thing came up... Regarding the
range of X10 commands through the wires...
How far do they go? Up to 20 or 30 feet or
more? (assuming the same phase)

Are there repeaters out there to increase
the range on the wires?

Thanks!!

Flavio

[roger1818]

It is difficult to say what the “range”
would be over the wires especially since
the wires don’t travel in a straight line
back to the breaker panel.  What you
have “plugged-in” probably makes more of a
difference anyway.  The general rule of
thumb though is that if your house is less
than 3000 sq ft a passive coupler can be
used to bridge the phases and no additional
amplification should be necessary (though
you will probably need to install some X10
noise filters).

If you do need more signal strength a
coupler/repeater could be used to bridge
the phases instead (don’t use both). From
what I have read on here and elsewhere the
ACT brand coupler/repeaters work the best.
You can also get signal boosters but they
have some caveats you need to be careful of
so I would only use them as a last resort
and only in very carefully chosen locations.

For more information on all this, check out
my tutorials at:

http://www.x10.webhop.org/Phase_Coupling.htm
and
http://www.x10.webhop.org/Powerline_Noise_an
d_Noise_Filters.htm.

I hope this helps.

[flavio silva]

Roger,

I've read the articles and also
the "troubleshooting" article and kept them
all for future reference.

Great and compreehnsive job you did. Thank
you so much!

Flavio