Re: [misterhouse-users] General X10 question

[Mark T. <ma...@th...>]

There's a third option. Use a PCS SmartSwitch, which allows you to set =
the turn-on brightness to 40% (or whatever) when it is dark, and back to =
100% when it is light. Using the scene capability of this switch, you =
can do this without turning the light on. Then either the motion =
detector or the switch itself will do the right thing at the right time. =
This way, you don't need a two-way switch (having too many transmitters =
can cause problems) and avoid SwitchLincs (which have reliability =
problems for some). The downside is that the switch isn't all that cheap =
either ($74.95 at worthdist.com, description here: =
http://www.smarthome.com/2367.html)


- Mark.

----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Tim Doyle=20
  To: Steve Bailey ; mis...@li...=20
  Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2001 9:17 AM
  Subject: RE: [misterhouse-users] General X10 question


  Steve:

  There are many different switches that you can use. Unfortunately, =
only the top-of-the-line switches report manually changed status over =
X-10. You may want to check out the SwitchLinc 2-Way X10 Dimmer Switch =
at http://www.smarthome.com/2380.html. The good news is that I think =
these are just what you're looking for. The bad news is that they're =
much more expensive than other switches - $75.95 each.

  An alternate method would be to use one of the Wireless X-10 Motion =
Sensors at http://www.smarthome.com/4086.html. These are $18.95 and =
would let you know if someone was in the room even if they didn't turn =
the light on. You could use MisterHouse's $Dark variable ($Dark is true =
between $Time_Sunset_Twilight and $Time_Sunrise_Twilight). If $Dark and =
motion is detected, turn on the light. If no motion for 5 minutes or so, =
turn off the light.

  Tim


    -----Original Message-----
    From: mis...@li... =
[mailto:mis...@li...]On Behalf Of Steve =
Bailey
    Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2001 7:07 AM
    To: mis...@li...
    Subject: [misterhouse-users] General X10 question


    OK, I'm finally taking the plunge and buying my first X10 stuff =
(seems you have to buy the ActiveHome package to get started) and I've =
got a generic X10 question.

    One of the things I thought about was a motion sensor in the =
bathroom.  When someone leaves the light on it will turn the light off =
after 15 minutes or so.  Also thought about using Misterhouse for =
fancier stuff like if someone comes in the bathroom between 12am and 6am =
turn the lights on to 20% power or something (so no more tripping over =
things in the bathroom) but here's the crux of my question:

    Let's say I turn the light in the bathroom on manually, how does =
X10/Misterhouse know I turned the light on?  Do all X10 wall =
switches/lamp modules/etc have the ability to report their status?  Do I =
need to buy special switches/etc if I want SOME manual control of these =
devices?  It seems pretty silly to assume people won't want manual =
control of light switches so there must be some way to report that "Such =
and such just turned the light on in the bathroom, setting state to on."

    Sorry for sounding like a newbie but everyone has to start =
somewhere! :)

    Steve