Re: LED Xmas lights and X10.. the final solution...

["D&SW" <d&sw@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Alternatives: An X10 Socket Rocket, or add a "ballest bulb" (7W night light
woorks good) in parallel with the LED strings. Either way, the LEDs will
extinguish. Your relay method works just as well, but a little harder to
make.

"AZ Woody" <reply@here> wrote in message
news:47425b92$0$506$815e3792@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> OK..  After doing testing with 1-4 strings of LEDs and the X10 mods I had
> on hand (modified and unmodifed) here's what I did... (none of the modules
> would turn off the Leds all the way
>
> - Home Depot - gray plastic box, outlet cover, and outlet - ~$2
> - 2' power cord (salvaged from junk box)
> - 110v AC relay (ratshack - $8, but I'm sure they can be found cheaper -
> 10amp contactsis what I got)  Just make sure it will fit in the outlet
> box, with the outlet
>
> Basically, wired so that when power is a applied, relay closes and power
> is applied to the outlet..  Using a std X10 appliance module all works! I
> plug the relay into the module, the LED lights into the relay.  It's less
> visible than adding a incandescent light to the mix..  2' cord is enough
> to set the outlet box on the floor (containing the relay).
>
> The relay is DPDT, but only switching hot, so I can easily use the other
> side for dry contact at a later time. (3 screw terminals on the outside of
> the box and wire to the relay is all it takes...)