Sundowner SD533 modification to control all 8 devices

[Rich <rich@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Is it possible to modify the SD533 mini-controller to switch all 8
devices on and off at dusk?  Out of the box it will only control the 4
units that are selected with the top slider switch.

I have looked for a schematic for the controller and the photocell PWB
but have had no luck.

What I am trying to accomplish is to control my holiday lighting.  I
want them to all turn on a dusk and then off at bedtime.  I thought
that the appliance module would respond to "all lights on" but after
buying everything I learned differently.

Now I am trying to make the best of what I have- (8) AM486 modules and
this one SD533 controller.

I thought that if I could get the controller to switch all 8 units on
at dusk, then I could simply send a "all units off" at bedtime.

As it is now, it looks like I my choices are:

1. Manually turn each of the 8 devices on and then all-off later.

2. Buy another SD533 controller and have each controller handle 4
units to turn on at dusk and then I use the all-off on both units at
bedtime.  Probably they both won't turn on within a short time of each
other- this defeats the purpose.

3. Buy some kind of programmable controller that I can write a macro
that will turn on all units based upon dusk or a fixed time and then
off at a fixed time.

It's obvious that I am brand new at this.  I thought it would be
easier.

BTW, the reason that I bought AM486 instead of light modules is that I
use compact fluorescents everywhere in my house and I thought that in
the non-holiday season I might find a use for the x-10 control of
these lights.  And now I read that CF and the AM486 may have
issues.....

Advice anyone?

TIA, Rich