Re: X10 Controller Question

["Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx>]

"Brian Staff" <brianstaffRemoveMe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:RibUh.150972$ZA5.46381@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> I've been sent here from alt.home.repair<g>
>
> Is it possible for an X10 "control box" to show (say, with an LED maybe)
> whether a remote device is on/off or has been sent the on/off signal?
>
> I would like to control my water heater re-circulating pump (or garage
> drive-way lights) - devices I cannot normally see from inside the house.
>
> I'm sure someone will just say "switch it on/off - then you will know" -
but
> the notification on the re-circulating pump is useful to know whether it
has
> been on or off, because it takes a few minutes for the water to get to the
> shower.

I'm a little confused by your requirements.  You talk about "whether it has
*been* on or off" and to me, that implies knowing more than simple status
LEDs will tell you.  All status LEDs will tell you is whether the device IS
on or off, but nothing about how long it has been on or when it was last on.
In fact, Nick correctly points out that all status lights will really tell
you, without getting complicated, is that a command to the device has been
sent.

I'd probably opt for monitoring the pump's piping with a $20 wired or
wireless remote sensor thermometer that would tell you the water
temperature.  That would give the feedback I think you are looking for,
based on your comments.  Can you please clarify whether your main concern is
the status of the devices or their remote control or both?

The devices Jeff talks about will probably do at least some of what you want
to do, if not all.

--
Bobby G.