Re: X10 HA vs. security

["echo" <shaw@xxxxxxx>]

Wiring is preferable, and a hard wired dedicated security system is always
best..sort of.

Consider yourself lucky, you are in a very good place.  I think you could
have some fun with this.

Start your new hobby with an X-10 wireless alarm kit like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/triggle/X-10/x-10security.jpg
Yep it is an older one and is on Ebay today for 20$ for a 4pc kit. It is
exactly what you want to get started.  I'd go for it at that price, even if
it was used.

You'll want to add:
1 door window sensor. Older ones preferred, but are fugly  X-10 DW-534
1 or 2 X-10 RT504 remote control - for beside
1 or 2 lamp dimmer modules for your bedside lamps.   I prefer the Smarthome
stuff

Now you're sitting at less that 100$ shipped.

This is a good start and can get a good WAF since it offers some security
and is cheap. The older Door Window sensors in that kit are fugly but they
use 9 volt batteries, last a long time, have screw terminals and a NO/NC
switch so you can add whatever kind of sensor you want to the thing. You
can't do that with the new ones. One good feature is the chime which warns
you if a zone opens and has a visual indication of secure/violated.

Later some more fun:
1 CM11a or other PC interface for X-10 or Insteon and X-10
1 WGL W800rf32a
1 automation software  ECS / Homeseer / ???
1 cheap old PC
2 7watt red indicator bulbs
2  tiny lamps (use w bulbs above)
a few appliance, lamp and wall switches

With the PC, W800RF receiver, and CM11a  the system becomes interactive.
Some examples: You are washing the car but your neighbor ask you to come fix
his PC. Your garage is door is left hanging open for the world to go
shopping in. The wife comes in and sees the red indicator lamp on in the
kitchen so she is now aware something is open so looking at the X-10
security base she sees which zone.  Security is all about awareness of your
surroundings.

Some fellas would laugh their socks off at using the X-10 as an alarm
systems but until you get a wired system or move to a better wireless system
this will provide the awareness that a basic wired system can't touch.

Later add a X-10 PR511 motion / light detector outside your garage or why
not in it.  Then caller ID announcing....oh ya !

Have fun.




<pithen@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1159840970.783321.101150@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> I just bought myself a new condo last month (oh yeah, first time
> homeowner!) and was toying with the idea of buying an X10 CM11A off
> ebay and using it with Heya to do some simple automation stuff. One
> thing in particular that I'd like to do is rig up some door sensors so
> that I know a) if I forget to close the garage door, and b) to alert my
> girlfriend and I if somebody comes in uninvited while we're sleeping.
>
> I guess I have a few questions here. First, among the droves of info
> about X10, I can't really seem to sort out anything regarding whether
> or not the door sensor (which I believe is considered a security
> module) will send regular X10 signals to the CM11A which can be read by
> Heya. Any info on this?
>
> Second, I've noticed several threads complaining about how old and
> unreliable X10 is. Is it all *that* unreliable? If I were to use newer
> modules which support status polling (I believe they exist, right?)
> could I not just include in my scripts something that would keep trying
> to turn a device on or off until the status polling reflected this
> change? I see there are other alternatives out there, but seeing as I
> just bought my first place my budget is such that, well I probably
> shouldn't even be looking at X10 nevermind something more expensive.
>
> Thanks all!
> Ken
>