Re: X10 Newbie Help

["Mal Lansell" <mlansell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The LD11 is the only one with soft start, as far as I know.  The LM12W
comes
on at full brightness every time.

The LD11 is too large to fit in a normal backbox behind the switch, but you
could dig out a bigger hole!  You would need to have a neutral wire at the
switch, though.  Most UK houses have only the live, switched live and earth
at the switch.  A lot of people tuck them behind the ceiling rose. 
Whatever
you do, make sure it is accessible, because they have fuses which may blow
at some point (and you don't want to be ripping up floorboards or digging
holes in the wall to fix it).

All the X10 product manuals can be downloaded from here:
http://www.x10.com/support/support_manuals.htm#Home%20Automation

For IR/RF control you could try the X10 Mouse Remote.  It has both IR and
RF
transmitters.  You can also control your PC's mouse pointer if you plug the
supplied receiver into your PC (but it will do all the other stuff without
it)

It can be programmed to work with most TVs, HiFis etc (by entering codes
for
your product).  Look at its product manual to see if it supports your gear.
It won't control an NTL cable box, unfortunately (but then not many remotes
will).  X10 control is a bit clunky - press the X10 button, and then a unit
number, then +- volume for dim/bright, +-channel for on/off, but it does
work.

Perhaps someone else can suggest an alternative?

Mal


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gordon Christie" <homeautomation@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: [ukha_d] X10 Newbie Help


>
> Thanks for your answer, Mal..
>
> On Wed, 10 Mar 2004, Mal Lansell wrote:
>
> > 1) LD11 will do what you need - it has a soft start and fades up
to a
preset
> > level.
>
> Do any of the other units I mentioned have this feature, or are they
all
> like the Plug-in Lamp Module I have?
>
> > 2) I just stick mine in a plastic box.  There's no need to go to
the
expense
> > of a DIN enclosure.  You can connect a momentary switch to the
LD11 for
> > direct control.  Wiring diagrams come with the modules (in fact,
the
info
> > for all the modules is on one big sheet that you get when you buy
any
one of
> > them)
>
> Is there anywhere online that I can find this wiring diagram? I am
pretty
> much an electrical newbie, so I want to check out what I need to do
before
> I buy the items..
>
> Is the LD11 suitable for fitting at or around the lightswitch, or does
it
> need to be installed at the electrical distribution unit?
>
> > 3a). Don't know about that.  I use a PDA with wireless CF card to
> > control stuff via the PC.  That and a couple of X10 rf remotes
for
> > simple situations (or where you don't want to risk ruining a PDA,
like
> > in the bath!) seems adequate.
>
> *nods* I have a Powerbook which I use to control things at the moment.
> However, I want to have some kind of combined RF/IR remote for
controlling
> the TV and triggering scene settings. Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks again. :)
>
> ~Gordon
>
>
>
>
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