Re: Hello!

[Andrew Jones <andrewjjones@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

UKHA wrote:
> On 29/12/2004 at 14:01 Andrew Jones wrote:
>>Hi everyone. I'm new to this group, so I should say hello!
>
> Hi Andrew, welome to the group...
>
>>I'm new to this kind of thing. From looking at webcams that let you
turn
>>things on and off, I've got interested in X10. Now I'm thinking
about
>>making a simple system, but I need some help!
>>
>>All I want to do is to have an appliance module controlled by a
>>computer, and later possibly via a website. Trouble is, I don't
have
>>much money to spend - the total for everything needs to come to
less
>>than about £50.
>
> Is 50 quid absolute tops or is there a bit of give in this?

Well, I can go to £60 I guess, but I will have to flog some stuff on
eBay first :)

>>My original plan was to get a CM17A 'firecracker' to plug onto my
>>computer. Its signal would then be picked up by a TM13U transciever
and
>>then sent to an AM12U appliance module. Thing is, as I was working
this
>>out I realised what the 'A' and the 'U' must mean. I asked the
person
>>selling the firecracker on Ebay and they said it doesn't work on
433
>>MHz. So I had to forget it.
>
> Ok, first things first.... X10 works over the powerline, you do not
need wireless
> stuff to make it all work. Also iirc the firecracker is one way - ie
is sends commands
> only, and cannot react to them... as a start take a look at:
>
> CM12U Home Automation Controller with X10 "ActiveHome"
Software/Homeseer Demo
> and
> AM12U UK PLUG-IN X10 Appliance Module (UK 3 Pin Plug)
>
> from http://tinyurl.com/5fpfl
>
> total cost is about 56 quid......
>
> This would give you computer control over a single appliance module...
since you don't say
> what you actually want to do I'm guessing that you are having a 'play'
until you find your
> feet..

Yes! I am definately only playing. Can the CM12U be controlled from the
computer, or is it only a relay for other modules?

> You don't say if you are based in the UK or not... I've assumed you
are..

Yes, I am in the UK.

> You can also check out:
>
> http://www.laser.com
> http://www.letsautomate.com
> http://www.intellihome.be

Thanks a lot for your help. Looks like I will get a CM12U no matter what :)
--
Andrew Jones
http://andy29uk.blogspot.com