Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!pacbell!cogent!uop!todd
From: todd@uop.edu (Dr. Nethack)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: X10 Questions
Summary: not worth it!
Keywords: BSR X10 sprinkler controls
Message-ID: <1472@uop.edu>
Date: 18 May 88 03:28:27 GMT
References: <52412@sun.uucp> <679@thalia.rice.edu>
Organization: Uop Ethernet Gateway to Mayhem
Lines: 44

In article <679@thalia.rice.edu>, milazzo@titan.rice.edu (Paul Milazzo) writes:
> In article <52412@sun.uucp> dcj@sun.uucp (Don Jackson) asks about
> a BSR X10 interface for his sprinkler system; so far he has found only
> valves activated by low-voltage DC, inappropriate for the X10 system.
> The solenoid is
> marked "120 VAC  HZ 50/60  30 WATTS".
> These valves should work well with BSR appliance modules.

And work well for your mortician!

Look, I have worked with electric sprinkler devices, and repaired them.
There is a reason they are low voltage...SAFETY!!

And moreover, they are all low voltage A.C. not D.C.  The transformers
don't rectify the power, they just knock it down.

The *advantage* of low voltage stuff:

It is everywhere.
It is easy to maintain.
It is cheap.

If you really want to run it with your X-10, (much more expensive than
say a Richdel (tm) system)

Then get the low voltage valves and such and rig the valves with a
transformer of their own, one to a valve, and switch 110 into the
xfmr. and that will SAFELY trip the valves.

But that is a waste of money!  You can get valves and excellant timers
(mechanical and digital) to run your system, with all kinds of programs
for MUCH LESS money than what you are trying to do.

If you are obsessed with your X-10 doing everything, then go blow your
money, (and maybe your life) with full 110 gear, but I hardly find it
worth it, just to find something else for your X-10 to do!


"The sum of the intelligence of the world is constant,
                                            The population is growing."
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