Re: $20 Insteon dimmer switch

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

I don't think the repeater will repeat Insteon so it should not matter
whether it's on or off for the tests. And, as you indicated, you can always
try it both ways. A passive coupler should couple Insteon about as well as
it couples X-10.

I expect UPB to function well but think Insteon will do just as well and
offer more devices with much better prices.

Your signal strength meter should also give you a reading for Insteon
signals although it may not read anything for UPB. My ESM1 was useful to see
presence/absence of Insteon signals.

"BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Yes, exactly my thought too. The translator will not be plugged in for
>the initial test but I will repeat the test again after it's installed.
>I plan on testing with the X10 constant signal plugged in at the same
>outlet as the receiver and again at other locations if Insteon fails the
>first one. I'll try the same tests with the UPB tabletop controller and
>modules too.  Any thoughts on whether I should switch off the X10
>repeater? I'm thinking it should stay on. If Insteon fails I can try
>again with it off.
> I will note the X10 signal strength and noise using the ACT 004 Signal
>Tester at the receiver location for each test.
> Another test I'll do will be to send signals from known bad X10
>locations. For example, X10 signals sent from my bathroom will not be
>received outside of the bathroom more than 90% of the time (I've yet to
>figure out why). If Insteon solves that problem I will be duly
>impressed. Again, I'll try UPB on this too.
> Any other tests or conditions that might be useful? Of course, I can
>redo or expand the tests based on the results.
> I'll be running these tests Tuesday night Hawaii Time which will be the
>wee hours for most of the mainland so you'll have the results with your
>morning coffee.
>
>From:Dave Houston
>nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>> X-10 certainly cannot handle a strong noise signal within ±10kHz of
>> its 120kHz carrier but I think there's a good chance Insteon may be
>> able to handle it. Page 35 of the Insteon whitepaper implies that it
>> can.
>>
>> If it does, it will answer all questions about Insteon's noise
>> immunity. If it doesn't I may try to borrow another starter kit and
>> devise some other tests.
>>
>> It seems that the translator selectively translates only those X10 and
>> Insteon codes it has been programmed for (more or less the same as the
>> BX24-AHT does for X-10 RF) but I would prefer you to test using the
>> tabletop remote to send to an Insteon device before installing the
>> translator in case the translator is doing something beyond what I
>> think it does.
>>
>> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> Sure, I'll do that. Should be fairly easy to set up. Me thinks that
>>> it should work because there's 10kHz seperation between X10 and
>>> Insteon so it's sort of like two TV stations (X10 & Insteon
>>> Transmitters) on the same cable with two TV sets tuned to the
>>> different stations (X10 & Insteon modules).  I'll plug in my X10
>>> test signal generator which sends a constant stream of on and off
>>> signals and try sending some Insteon commands while it's running. I
>>> may then try the same test using UPB since I have their starter kit
>>> here too.
>>>
>>> From:The Alien
>>> Someone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>>> X-No-archive: yes On Sun, 25 Dec 2005 17:57:42 GMT, "BruceR"
>>>> <br@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> used recycled pixels to say:
>>>>
>>>>> Ahh yes, All Agony Airlines (from USAir's former moniker Allegheny
>>>>> Airlines). The kept me waiting plenty back then!
>>>>>
>>>>> Fedex reports that my Insteon Translator is here and on the truck
>>>>> for a Tuesday Delivery. More exciting that Christmas (this)
>>>>> morning! Even my wife is excited that we soon have more
>>>>> reliability from Insteon.
>>>>>
>>>>> Merry Christmas everybody!!
>>>>>
>>>> {snipped}
>>>>
>>>> Is anyone still going to do a test on X-10 Signals jamming the wires
>>>> while sending an Insteon command to see if the "Insteon Only"
>>>> setting ignores X-10?
>>>>
>>>> Merry Christmas and have a Happy Holiday!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------------------------
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>