Re: [misterhouse-users] X10 quetions (and trouble using presets on LM14 / CM11.)

[Bill B. <bb...@ld...>]

>
> 1) Is there any interface faster than the CM11?  Someone once
> mentioned the possiblity of using a direct RF->PC interface to receive
> things like motion sensors with out the long
> RF->receiver->AC->CM11->RS232 path.  Motion-controlled lights using a
> direct RF->RS-232 path could be much faster.
>

I can't address your other questions, but I can try this one...

There isn't any RF receiver->PC interface that I am aware of.  Response time
via the CM11 (i.e. RF motion detector->RF
receiver->x10->CM11->MisterHouse->CM11->x10->lamp module) is abysmal, about
5 seconds.  Using the CM17 (firecracker) for output with a lamp plugged
directly into the RF receiver (i.e. RF motion detector->RF
receiver->x10->CM11->MisterHouse->CM17->RF receiver->lamp) seems to me to be
about 1 second faster.  Still plenty of time to trip on a roller skate in
the dark.

The way I have been able to get acceptable response time from motion
detector lights is by this path: RF motion detector->RF receiver->x10->lamp
module.  This path switches the light in about 1.5 seconds.  Still slow, but
acceptable for some uses.  One problem with this method is that MH only
knows that the light has been switched on after the fact.  This is the
method I use.  I set the lamp module to the same house/unit code that the
motion detector transmits on.  I set the OFF time delay on the motion
detector to the maximum.  When MH receives the motion/light ON signal, he
sets up a timer and switches the light of accordingly.  I completely ignore
the motion OFF signals.  In fact I doubt that the signal is ever
transmitted, because it is most likely that motion is detected again before
it times out.

There is a faster path...

You can go RF motion detector->RF receiver->lamp.  I.E. the lamp is plugged
directly into the RF receiver.  This will turn the lamp on in under 1/2
second.  Good enough response, but... 1) MH only knows about it after the
fact, 2) No dimming capability on the RF receiver module and 3) You need a
separate RF receiver for each lamp you want to do this with, and you can
only operate one RF receiver per house code or you will get x10 collisions
each time an RF signal is sent.

I hope this clarifies the situation.  If someone knows or finds a better
way, I'm all ears.

Bill Bass
Greenville, SC, USA