Good news about X10 rain sensing! (was Re: a stupid X10 sprinkler question)

["Andrew" <hawk007@xxxxxxxxx>]

Jeff Volp wrote:
> <hawk007@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1151276950.215026.182000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > Q2:  Regarding the 2-way communication involving "confirmation signals"
> > mentioned here -- http://www.smarthome.com/3125c.html : is the
> > confirmation signal a standard part of the X10 protocol, or is it a
> > feature exclusive to this gadget? Furthermore, is it possible to query
> > an X10 device to receive data?  In other words, can something like an
> > X10 rain gauge (is there such a thing?) respond to a query by sending
> > back rain data?  Can devices send back their current state, on request
> > (whether they are on or off)?
>
> Most X10 devices are listen only, but there are some specialized devices
> that provide acknowledgement or data in return.  I don't know about an X10
> rain gauge, but there are X10 thermostats.  For our irrigation I do open
> loop control based on time of year and outside temperature.  And then I have
> a Leviton 16400 to kick in an extra cycle whenever things look a little dry.
> Our back yard has about 3 inches of topsoil over lava, so it drys out VERY
> quickly.  The garden drip irrigation must run several times a day during hot
> weather to keep the plants from wilting.

I called SmartHome four hours ago and got the following info from their
rep:

Using a combination of certain modules as well as  "phantom addressing"
 (this, apparently, the key ingredient), one can achieve an on-request
rain status reporting.

The modules needed are:
     The rain sensor itself:  http://www.smarthome.com/7194.HTML
     The Powerflash Interface:  http://www.smarthome.com/4060.HTML
     And the 1132CU PowerLinc Controller -
http://www.smarthome.com/1132CU.HTML

According to the rep, the RS should be connected to the Powerflash
module, for triggering an X10 signal (also consistent with the info on
the above web page -- hidden by default, click "Details &
Specifications").

However, the Powerflash being one-way also, these two are not enough.
As I understood it, the signal should be further  relayed from
Powerflash to the 1132CU controller, which toggles off/on some
designated "phantom" X10 address -- (e.g., "G7").

It is this phantom address that can be queried for status, (I presume)
via the 1132CU.  This allows one to know, at any time, if the rain
sensor  is on or off.

I am relating the general idea here, and I'm not sure exactly  about
all the details.

Comments are welcome.  How viable/plausible is the above?

Somewhat related:  I have yet to ascertain the necessity to get the
1132CU controller in place of the 1140 (
http://www.smarthome.com/1140.html ) - the only difference the rep
could verify was the port ( USB vs. serial ), but also said that,
because the 1132CU was their own product, he could assure me that it
works in the above configuration, but could not vouch for the 1140 --
i'll have to call the relevant manufacturer on this)

TIA

Andrew