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

["itsme213" <itsme213@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks a bunch!

"Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:oc6dnZR8J-A83PjbnZ2dnUVZ_q2pnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxx
>> 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!
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>