Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!rutgers!cbmvax!vu-vlsi!dsinc!syd
From: syd@dsinc.UUCP (Syd Weinstein)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: X-10 remote control
Message-ID: <289@dsinc.UUCP>
Date: 1 Jan 88 16:50:35 GMT
References: <1530@zodiac.UUCP> <171@conexch.UUCP> <7769@eddie.MIT.EDU>
Organization: Datacomp Systems, Inc., Huntingdon Valley, PA
Lines: 36
Keywords: X10, X-10 Powerhouse, power line carrier control, remote control
Summary: solving x-10 problems, radio contoller problems


I also am using the x-10 system extensively and use the computer
controller from x10 on my pc.  I bought it from dak (sic of DAC
mentioned) and it works fine.  I have not had the major lightning
problems mentioned, but did have some problems when the cleaning people
plugged a vacuum cleaner into an outlet controlled by the stuff.
Really follow the current limitaitons.

The older ultrasonic base units have a habit of making a noise out the
sensor that can be annoying, but that happens from day 1 and swapping
units works fine.

Use of a lamp module near an am radio is a problem, as with any scr
dimmer of the inexpensive type when it is dimming.

The RF stuff is neat, but I have never found a good place to put it
when I am also using CLASS A computing stuff.  I know, class A is not
for at home, but...  However, I wish the receiver did more than 8
channels. I  got 2 receivers for 16, but I use 24-36 channels normally.

I did have to solve one problem myself, but X-10 was very responsive
when I called them and provided the correct values.  This was I needed
to provide an rf bridge across the 2 phases of our 220 lines.  My
signals were not strong enough to get from one leg of the power to the
other via the pole transformer.  I bridged the 220 line with a 1uF cap
(value specified by X-10) and all is fine.

I really do like the CP item mentioned by others.  However, I wish they
could learn to dim a module from other that bright.  This is a lamp
module problem really, but with the X-10, if you press dim and a lamp
is off, it first goes to full bright and dims from there.  If you press
bright from off it immediately goes full bright.

Syd Weinstein
These views are my own, and not those of my employer...
or in our world are they?