Re: current state of protocols; x10? what else?

["Robert Green" <robert_green1963@xxxxxxxxx>]

"Eric" <ericw2000@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

<stuff snipped>

> I have an X10 device with software (Smarthome Manager) that I bought from
> Smarthome to operate as a simple timer for lights at a commercial site. A
> couple of years after I bought it they changed the daylight savings time
> dates. Smarthome wouldn't update the software and said they discontinued
> support for this product. This makes me skeptical about buying any of
their
> Insteon modules, since they could decide to stop supporting that protocol
> at any time.

Of course they wouldn't fix anything X-10 related.  They're pushing Insteon,
now, because they hold the patents.  Any X-10 sale cuts into their sales
figures for Insteon.  When they first pushed Insteon out the door, it was
apparent by the number of complaints about flickering dimmers and large
loads that they had not beta-tested their gear quite well enough before
sellkng it.  They eventually instituted a reasonable recall, but that's the
sort of problem that should have and would have been caught with more
testing before release.

The most likely reason for someone like Smarthome to abandon Insteon would
be heavy debt taken on at the wrong time like GM, Chrysler, Linens'n'things,
the Sharper Image,  Polaroid and about 32,000 other businesses in the 1/2 of
this year who are bankrupt. Who would support the proprietary Insteon line
if Smarthome joined them in bankruptcy?  I've found that the much cheaper,
license free, non-single source X-10 protocol gear is more than up to the
task of automating most homes but only *with* addition of Jeff Volp's XTB
line of X-10 signal boosters.

http://jvde.us/xtb/xtb_reports.htm

After I purchased the XTB-IIR I went from having X-10 issues every day to
maybe one every one or two months or even longer.  I have X-10 gear from 10
different manufacturers and the standard's an open one so there's no
proprietary BS to deal with.  With the XTB-IIR,  I press the buttons and the
lights do what they should.  The only really bothersome problem left is the
CFL issue:  lights turning back on by themselves or flashing even when
turned off.  Other protocols don't suffer from that problem because they
don't even offer the option to turn equipment on and off via local control,
a feature I find quite useful.

I found it interesting that instead of fixing what was broken with X-10,
vendors all developed new (and mostly proprietary) protocols that cost two
to ten times as much as X-10 without offering anywhere near the flexibility
or functionality of the X-10/XTB combo.  Even better still, as more and more
people encounter X-10 issues related to power switching supplies, I can find
great deals on Ebay for X-10 gear, new and in the box, for pennies on the
dollar.  Recently I bought a bunch of switches and modules that would have
cost $200 retail for $30.  No one else even bid.  My kinda auction.

Now if I could only talk Jeff into designing a coupler/repeater/amplifier
that could be installed without having to enter the circuit panel or need to
be wired to a dryer plug.  I think a lot of people out there get nervous
when they have to contemplate taking the cover off of their circuit panel
and futzing with 220VAC.

It took me nearly ten years and near total breakdown of my X-10 setup to
build the courage (and learn the basics) of installing a 220VAC single
handle breaker to connect it to the XTB-IIR.  To avoid that, you'd need two
units, one plugged into each phase and coupled by RF should do the trick.
One LED to show when you've found an outlet on opposite phase and
communication has begun.

The upside to getting into the breaker box had much higher SAF than I
thought.  I had thought my box had no more space until Jeff clued me into
the existence of tandem breakers.  I was able to add the XTB's 220VAC
breaker and a new circuit to the kitchen (after my wife got over the fear of
my getting killed).  Now we can use all the major kitchen appliances at
once.

This is a 1940 house, designed with what I am sure people thought was an
absolute excess of outlets at the time.  Taking into account all the power
strips I have, a modern home needs about 25 outlets per room!

--
Bobby G.