Re: New to X10

["nchooper" <neil.hooper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, Stuart Grimshaw <stuart@s...> wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 20, 2004 at 09:55:20PM -0000, nchooper wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm totally new to X10. I have so far done a lot of reading
about it
> > and have decided to 'get started'.
> >
> > Two questions though.
> >
> > 1. Which modules are able to respond to Status Requests. Am I
right
> > in thinking that if they do not then software such as
Activehome,
> > Homeseer etc in conjunction with a CM12 would not 'know' that
the
> > modules have switched on / off / dimmed by a remote control or
> > switch?
>
> In the UK, very few modules have two way comms, or status request,
the newer in-wall micromodules do, but they come at a price, have a
look at this page from Laser for prices http://tinyurl.com/3bpoq
>
> Automatedhome has a review of them here
http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/article752.html
>
> >
> > 2. Has anybody come up with a solution to open and close the
slats
> > on Venetian blinds?
>
> LetsAutomate sell an IR controlled blind opener,
http://www.letsautomate.com/10410.cfm?
but that's not X10. You'd
need some extra kit for that. Perhaps an IR7243 IR to X10 converter,
a remote that can send X10 IR signals and something to turn those
signals back into IR that the opener can understand ... overkill
perhaps :-)
>
> --
>
> -S

Thanks for the reply Stuart,

It does seem a lot of money for what appears to be little gain apart
from status request response. I'll have to think about that.

As for blind control, I have found a supplier of some very small
motors with gearbox attached which will give high torque with low
speed. This, together with a couple of micro switches, a relay and a
few other bits and I think it might just be possible. I'll keep
things updated if it works out.

Neil