Re: Sundowner SD533 modification to control all 8 devices

[AZ Woody <reply@here>]

Why not set all 8 modules to the same HC/device?

Rich wrote:
> 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