RE: Monitoring X10 dimmers > was: Probe Hub Update

["Keith Doxey" <ukha@xxxxxxx>]

It could possibly be done with a PIC chip and a couple of opto-isolators.

One is connected to permanant lie to detect the start of the mains cycle,
the other to the output of the dimmer. Measuring the time between zero
crossing and dimmer output occuring would give an indication of brightness.

No output from dimmer obviously indicates OFF.
Almost instant output from dimmer indicates 100%
2mS =3D 80%
4mS =3D 60%
6mS =3D 40%
8ms =3D 20%

Based on 50Hz where each half cycle is 10mS.

Not a particularly neat method but it could work, whether its worth the
effort is another thing. I think it would be better to use a PIC chip as a
bridge between X10 (with a TW523) and commercial dimmer packs that use
either 0-10V analogue or DMX and program the PIC to provide status
requests=
.

You could then include scenes etc within the PIC coding.

Keith

www.diyha.co.uk
www.kat5.tv


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Graham Howe [mailto:graham@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: 14 October 2003 06:54
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Probe Hub Update
>=20
>=20
> The momentary switch is no use, for one thing there can be=20
> several of them, I have one LD11 with 3 switches. The other=20
> problem is that they do not do 0% and 100%, a quick press=20
> will send the unit to 0% if it is greater than 0, or back to=20
> it's last lit level if it is at 0.
>=20
> I agree with Steve that what is needed is something that can=20
> determine the whether there is a an outout voltage present,=20
> in other words the probe would need to be in parallel with=20
> the lights. Like I said, ideally I would like to know the=20
> voltage there to determine brightness level, but this would I=20
> assume be impossible with digital ports on HV
>=20
> Graham
>=20
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Steve Morgan [mailto:wormpurple@xxxxxxx]=20
> > Sent: 13 October 2003 21:18
> > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Probe Hub Update
> >=20
> >=20
> > Frank,
> >=20
> > I don't think that's going to be much use, because it operates
> > independantly of the X10 control.
> >=20
> > Better would be to have something measure the average output=20
> > voltage and
> > have a threshold to differentiate between off and on.=20
> >=20
> > Steve
> >=20
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Frank Mc Alinden [mailto:fmcalind@xxxxxxx]=20
> > > Sent: 13 October 2003 21:09
> > > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > > Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Probe Hub Update
> > >=20
> > >=20
> > > Hi David
> > >             I probably should clarify my idea of
monitoring=20
> > > the LD11 status...My intension was to monitor the
momentry=20
> > > switch which i believe turns the module on 100% or
0%....i=20
> > > would not intend to monitor the actual brightness %  ..I
m=20
> > > assuming hv would be able to do this and it would only be
a=20
> > > problem it the power was turned off then on ??..If theres=20
> > > enough interest for the momentry monitoring then i will
have=20
> > > a look at it......Probably a din rail version of the
Probe=20
> > > zone Monitor...
> >=20


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