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luth
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| Posted: April 14 2005 at 01:34 | IP Logged
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I need to know what type of modules to buy. I am going to control it with a firecracker. (I cannot use the usb controller since I will be using win98(first edition). I need to turn on and off different types of lights (neon, etc.) and some hobby like toys that have transformers. I think I need an appliance module or a universal module. Do I need 2-way? I would like to control them with the PH software.
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dhoward
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| Posted: April 14 2005 at 11:13 | IP Logged
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Luth,
It sounds as if you need to use appliance modules. You can only use lamp modules if the light is a standard 110 volt incandescent (no flourescents or anything that uses a transformer). You may also need a universal modules depending upon the equipment. The big difference (other than price  between the universal and appliance modules is that the appliance module actually supplies 110 volt AC to what you are trying to control. It basically acts as a switch, turning 110 VAC on an off. A universal module is just a switch...it DOES NOT supply any power. Also, depending upon the type of load you are switching, you may have to add a relay if it draws a lot of current.
You don't need two-way...it wont work with the firecracker. The firecracker is a send only device so would not be able to receive any status or extended commands sent by the modules.
If you are using a firecracker, then the other component you will need is a transceiver module. The firecracker generates X-10 RF signals which the modules know absolutely nothing about. A transceiver module will receive the RF signal and then echo it to the powerline (this is what the modules are listening for). You will typically have two types of transceivers...the RR501 and the TM751. They both include an internal appliance module so you'll be able to use that in your setup as well. Keep in mind that depending upon the number of modules you plan to use, you may need more than 1 transceiver. Each transceiver will only echo commands to the housecode that it is set to (maximum 16 devices). If you will be controlling more than 16 modules, then you'll need to use more than 1 housecode requiring a transceiver per housecode.
Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions.
Dave.
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luth
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| Posted: April 14 2005 at 13:14 | IP Logged
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Thanks for the reply. This really helps out. The descriptions on x10's website were so brief I couldn't figure them out. Now I know exactly what to get.
Thank you.
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dhoward
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| Posted: April 14 2005 at 15:14 | IP Logged
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No problem
Dave.
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Topic: hardware suggestions
