Re: How to simply set up "random" lights etc. upon "Leaving" home (X10)

["Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx>]

> Thanks. Any suggestions that would not require a PC?

Mini Timers, either LCD, or LED versions, will control up to eight loads up
for two on/offs per day at *fairly* randomized settings.  Add more, control
more loads or add more on/off cycles.  Under $40 at Smarthome, but I've
scores a coupla of mine for $15-$10 at closeouts.  Contain a battery backup
to preserve settings during power failures and can be used as an alarm
clock:

www.x10minitimer.com/

www.smarthome.com/1090.html

There are three different models or more floating around, but any one of
them should do what you want.  Only issue is that they control just the 1st
eight unit codes of any single housecode, but you can (and many people do)
use an alternate housecode for those lights used in the "fool the burglar"
lamps.  Some people even bypass the physical lamp switch so that they can't
be turned off in a way that X-10 can't restart them.

I don't have one next to me, but I believe you can deactivate the
mini-timers by sliding the RUN switch to Install.  When you leave the house,
slide it back to RUN and the unit should come back on line.  There would be
other ways to make it a "throw the switch" when you leave operation, too.

I keep my three plugged into a UPS when I don't want them to operate; it's a
signal sink AND is behind an X-10 filter so the X-10 signals never get to
the powerline.  I did this because I wanted to make sure they retained their
programming, which is done like an old VCR and could be friendlier.  When we
go away, I deploy them throughout the house.  Now that I have the XTBs, I
will likely abandon the timers and switch to CM11As with macros.  The three
timers helped get around the formerly weak signal problem by distributing
the controllers to the three main branch circuits that handle lights.

--
Bobby G.



"itsme213" <itsme213@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4664f73c$0$14974$4c368faf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Thanks. Any suggestions that would not require a PC?
>
> "D&SW" <d&sw@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:rS08i.141$My4.134@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > "Random" is the key. Cheapest would probably be X10's  AHP software and
> > CM15A hardware. Frequently on sale at X10.com $50. If you wanted it tied
> > to the security system you would also need an X10 "powerflash" module
> >
> > "itsme213" <itsme213@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:465a5725$0$4877$4c368faf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>I have a conventional security system (by DSC, approx 6 years old), and
> >>some X-10 devices (mostly plug-modules).
> >>
> >> I want to conveniently start a somewhat random control of those X-10
> >> devices each time I leave the home. I can either do this by hitting
some
> >> button on a TBD X-10 unit, or wire same TBX X-10 unit to the "leaving"
> >> signal from my security system. It should also work through a power
> >> outage. And I have X-10 friendly outlet plugs right by my exit door.
> >>
> >> Don't want anything fancier than that. Between $20 and $200 would work.
> >>
> >> What X-10 unit should I consider? How to wire it up?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>