Re: GE Simon 3 HELP X-10 alarm not working

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WildIrish wrote:
> For anyone following this thread, GE tech that actually knew something
> about their X10
> integration said that I can't do what I want; their device won't
> control an appliance module
> durring an alarm state (call me crazy, should be doable!)  Anyhow, they
> ultimately
> suggested using an X10 Powerflash device to re-transmit the alarm
> condition.  It is in
> and working great for my intended appliance controls. I can now run X10
> macros durring
> an alarm condition to turn on all my external floodlights, turn off my
> noisy water fountain
> outside, and turn on some light inside the house.  -Brendan

When x10 transmitters such as Simon 3 or X10 Powerflash want to turn
more than one x10 receiver on, then off, they send the commands:

"Lights On" followed by "All units Off"

Please note that these commands are different from "All units On" and
"Lights Off". These latter two commands cannot be sent from Simon 3 or
X10 Powerflash. (Or many other X10 transmitters)

The reason this matters is because the "applicance module" does not
respond to "Lights On" command. It will respond to the "All units Off",
but that doesn't do much good.

If you used a "Light module" instead of an "applicance module" it would
respond to Simon 3's alarm state, however the "light module" has a
dimmer circuit which may be incompatible with the deivces you plan to
connect.

Your current solution, using Powerflash and Simon 3 seems like it would
be unreliable.
Both devices would be transmitting x10 commands over the same house
wires at the same time. They would interfere with each other and reduce
overall reliability.
Are you using Powerflash in mode 3? In this mode Powerflash only sends
an x10 command once. This could easily be lost if the Simon 3 was
transmitting X10 at the same time.

The X10 alerts should only supplement Simon 3's internal or external
hardwire siren and not replace it entirely in case of power failure.