Any new X10 developments?

L

lhfarm

Member
Some 12 years ago, we did a major remodel and installed Leviton switches through out the house. I've been running HomeSeer and X10 all these years without the problems that I know others have had. In the past few months, I've had a couple of switch failures. I'm not sure what the MTBF of the switches might be, but I can't be too upset with 12 years. I've been reading here and over at HS and I don't think I'm ready to move to Z-wave or any other protocol.

I'm sure that there have been improvements in X10. I don't have any 2-way or "scene capable" devices. I'm no longer up to date on manufactures or even good sources. Any comments or shopping suggestions appreicated.

I'm clearly of the "if it ain't broken" mindset, but I'm hoping to hear that I'm not crazy for sticking with X10, at least for now.

Thanks,
Barry
 
I believe most of the improvements to basic X10 switches from manufacturers like PCS, ACT, Lightolier, etc. are still around but not actively marketed. Everyone has been pushing z-wave, insteon, etc. I'm confident there are many of us who still enjoy reliable x10 installs and aren't in any hurry to move on to another protocol. I have mostly PCS, Lightolier and ACT devices in my install and they work very well. Most of my problems come from short duration power line blips. These power interruptions seem to scramble the brains of Smarthome Lamplinc modules. This has been a minor inconvenience as it's only 10 seconds to reprogram one of the *lincs. My suggestion is that you watch eBay for replacement Leviton switches or similar replacements.
 
The new X10 Lamp Modules and Wall Switches now have Soft Start and act differently with some software. X10's own Active Home Pro with the CM15A interface is one of them. The new Appliance Modules also have changed and the Local sensing Current is much lower. most CFL Bulbs don't flicker like they use to. Small 120 Volt LED bulbs in my test still glow about 1/2 brightness when off.
 
I must concur with carry15+1, switches like the Lightolier ones actually make X10 pretty usable. I just removed my last X-10 switch, which was a Lightolier, while I have had UPB rolled out for several years (just works that well). If you decide to stick with X10, I would definitely take a look at those.
 
that is why im still buying the old togglelinc switches when I can find them...

love em and they work great..

however now it is down to cost..

ok so I bought a z-troller and ca8900 for temp... so starting z-wave for me.... but will keep all my x10 stuff (alot of it too) in place....

now I have been eying up the ha20c toggle style z-wave switch.. but they say that they do not play nice with cf bulbs.... well I will buy 1 when I get my ztroller and all to test...

23890w is my x10 togglelinc of choice..... and it is $50 new (automated outlet I think)
I can get the z-wave ha20c for $35
so lets look at cost effect now....
 
TeleFragger said:
that is why im still buying the old togglelinc switches when I can find them...

love em and they work great..

however now it is down to cost..

ok so I bought a z-troller and ca8900 for temp... so starting z-wave for me.... but will keep all my x10 stuff (alot of it too) in place....

now I have been eying up the ha20c toggle style z-wave switch.. but they say that they do not play nice with cf bulbs.... well I will buy 1 when I get my ztroller and all to test...

23890w is my x10 togglelinc of choice..... and it is $50 new (automated outlet I think)
I can get the z-wave ha20c for $35
so lets look at cost effect now....
Click to expand...
So maybe I need to reconsider. If the market is moving away from X10, maybe I should too. I don't have a lot of time to experiment and may just pick up a start kit of some flavor.

Thanks for all the replies,
Barry
 
X10 switches are still plentiful and fairly inexpensive but I'm pretty sure development has all but stopped. While some 2 way X10 devices did come out it seemed to be at almost the end of X10 development. My system needed to know the status of things at all times if it was going to move to the next level. While I got very good service out of X10 for many years, not having status feedback was for me it's biggest failing and why I converted to UPB. I see you're running HomeSeer, since it's fully capable of running more than one protocol maybe as X10 switches start failing on you now is a good time replace them with something else. My personal opinion is go with either UPB or Zwave.
 
I was thinking of switching from X-10 to one of the newer technologies also, but I really haven't seen one that justifies the large expense of switching.

Each has their unique problems, so I just decided to keep X-10. I have their unique problems pretty much nailed down to where it's very reliable (good coupler/repeater, tested sig strength, filters, etc...).

Plus a major hurdle for me is no support for the Ocelot!!
 
BraveSirRobbin said:
I was thinking of switching from X-10 to one of the newer technologies also, but I really haven't seen one that justifies the large expense of switching.

Each has their unique problems, so I just decided to keep X-10. I have their unique problems pretty much nailed down to where it's very reliable (good coupler/repeater, tested sig strength, filters, etc...).

Plus a major hurdle for me is no support for the Ocelot!!
Click to expand...

If it works, why change it?

The only real reason I'd recommend someone to go Zwave is if you can't get the neutral to the switch boxes. UPB does require this...so if you are going from X10 WS11's or something like that, you probably don't have the neutral and putting in UPB is going to be more difficult. However, if you can get the neutral up there, I'd recommend UPB over Zwave. It just works.

IMO:
UPB
Zwave
Insteon
X10

Although, if you don't have neutrals, and do not want to pull them...
IMO:
Zwave
X10

The list shrinks...I'm not too familiar with other stuff, but that's the BIG reason I suggest Zwave to most people who fall in love with my system. I just tell them that they have to choose, neutrals, or Zwave with a few less features (I think the non-neutral versions of the Zwave switches are missing a few features...? Can someone comment on that??)

What I do, is use UPB, then supplement with a few X10 devices. It seems that the smaller the X10 "network", the more reliable it is. Ever since I got rid of 90% of my X10 stuff, I don't need boosters, couplers, filters, etc. The only thing I use is X10 RF (security and non), UPB for critical things, anything else just gets a "double fire" of the X10 command (just made a HS script that fires for any X10 powerline output...and repeats the output).

haven't had a problem since...<knocks on wood>

--Dan
 
The only problem I've had with my good old X10 devices is in trying to control them with the ELK M1G. I've used a series of controllers from X10 over the years with no significant problems, but the last couple required a PC 24x7x365 to control them. I thought the Elk would eliminate the PC, but it stays on for other reasons, such as hosting my web site, so I may take control of the X10 devices back to it.

I've found the Elk can't bring several loads up to preset dim levels at dusk, so I broke the dim commands into a separate rule for each device, with at least one minute between rules to let Elk finish one Dim command before it goes on to the next. The Elk works well enough with this work-around. When the inconvenience of the work-arounds becomes more important to me than the cost of the changeover to a different technology, then I'll consider UPB. It makes even more sense to jump directly up to OnQ ALC, if they are still selling that technology by then.

I thought the big advantage of using the Elk to control whichever lighting technology would be the ability to remotely log in through the Internet from vacationland, but my Pocket PC doesn't get along with Java apps, so there was another disappointment. I'm close to deciding to order the new Dell Mini9 Netbook, and that might take care of that problem. Now if I could just get the M1 to reliably send me emails when certain events occur, I'd be even happier with it.

Aloha. . . John
 
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