Connecting PIR's to an X-10 Controller

[Steve Morgan <steve@xxxxxxx>]

Folks,

I'm looking to interface a number of PIR's to my X-10 based HA system
(internal and external).

My question is, has anyone tried modifying a standard X-10 controller,
such as SC502/503 maxi controllers or MC460 to use an external switched
input instead of the pushbuttons?

Having looked at one of my IR543's, the buttons are all the typical
metal-bubble type that short out the PCB tracks when pressed.

My idea is to bring these tracks out of the box and allow them to be
switched by the PIR's. Since the PIR's generally have normally-closed
connections, I thought I'd use another small SPDT relay as a kind of
'inverter' so the pads would be shorted when the PIR contacts open.

It strikes me that this is rather cheaper than using a powerflash module
with each PIR as I get 8 or 16 'channels' with one controller.

What do you think? Any particular suggestions?

Cheers
Steve


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