Re: Control Ceiling Lights

["Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@xxxxxxxx>]

"komobu" <curranpg@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1166904929.681464.103160@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Dave,
>
> Thanks for taking the time to reply. I just started checking into this
> home automation thing and am getting pretty interested. I like the idea
> of a switch by the garage that lets me turn off all lights. Do they
> have anything that will allow me to turn off the stove(Or prompt me
> that it is on)? On more than one occasion my wife has asked me to turn
> around to insure it was off! The insteon system looks pretty easy to
> install. It would be convenient to be able to control lights from the
> master bedroom and the main entryway. Could you describe in more detail
> what I would need to configure the insteon switch for X-10?  As for the
> X-10 RF transeiver, is it difficult to set up and have it talk to the
> Insteon system? How much do they cost and could you reccomend a
> speciffic item?

Near as I can tell, the Insteon is just another X-10 system.  X-10 is a
protocol used by many similar systems that control different functions over
the house wiring.  The first one I ever got came from DAK years ago, then I
got a controller from Radio Shack, a couple of manual controllers from BSR.
Setup is simple.  Each module, either a build in switch or receptacle or one
that just plugs in, has a settable code.  Your house may all be "A" or "B"
or whatever you want, then you select the number of that module.  Just turn
the dial on it to the code you want, then any controller can work it.

I have one control with the timer to turn certain lights on and off.  Others
I just use manually. Hear a noise in the back yard?  I just reach over, hit
a button, and all the controlled lights come on.  Nothing around?  Hit one
button and they all go off.

If you want to get fancy, you can have an A and a B circuit and A and B
controllers..  Or any other combination you want.  Or you can control it all
from your computer if you install the software and interface.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/