best X10 to UPB interface

[english_1969]

I want to purchase an X10 to UPB interface so that I can use the cheaper X10 control pads to operate UPB links.

Can someone recommend one that they've had some good experience with?

I'm open to a hardwired one and/or the RF types.

W

 

[Steve]

I don't have any direct experience with them, but I heard the PCS PW513 or XPW713 work pretty well.

 

[upstatemike]

In my experience with Insteon, you want to stay away from translation of powerline signals (XPW713) and if possible stick to direct TW523 to UPB translation. The reason is that powerline devices cannot simultaneously listen for incoming traffic and transmit translated commands. In heavy traffic situations where several commands are tansmitted one after the other, something has to give. Usually the result is either significant delays or loss of some commands.

With a TW523 emulator the incoming and outgoing signals are on different media (powerline and TTL line) so there are fewer issues with heavy traffic.

 

[english_1969]

In my experience with Insteon, you want to stay away from translation of powerline signals (XPW713) and if possible stick to direct TW523 to UPB translation. The reason is that powerline devices cannot simultaneously listen for incoming traffic and transmit translated commands. In heavy traffic situations where several commands are tansmitted one after the other, something has to give. Usually the result is either significant delays or loss of some commands.

With a TW523 emulator the incoming and outgoing signals are on different media (powerline and TTL line) so there are fewer issues with heavy traffic.

So using the solution you describe, you would have 2 powerline interfaces one UPB (PW513 from PCS line) and one X10 (TW-523) connected via the 4 wire interface?

Is that right?

W

 

[upstatemike]

So using the solution you describe, you would have 2 powerline interfaces one UPB (PW513 from PCS line) and one X10 (TW-523) connected via the 4 wire interface?

Is that right?

W

Not sure I follow your question but what I am saying is:

If you have a device that currently uses an X10 TW523 then replace it with a PW513 to convert to UPB. I would NOT leave the X10 TW523 in place and add an XPW713 to do the translation after the signal is already on the powerline because that does not work as well.

If you do not use an X10 TW523 now and are just controlling things directly with X10 mini-controllers and such then you would have to use the XPW713 for the conversion.

For X10 RF to UPB you will want to use a receiver from WGL (which one depends on whether you are using a PC or going directly from X10 RF to UPB).

 

[english_1969]

I currently do not have an x10 interface. I only have a few x10 desktop controllers left over from last x10 setup.

So without having any X10 interface, perhaps the 713 is the best choice?

W

 

[upstatemike]

I currently do not have an x10 interface. I only have a few x10 desktop controllers left over from last x10 setup.

So without having any X10 interface, perhaps the 713 is the best choice?

W

In that situation I think it is your only choice unless you set up a PC with both X10 and UPB interfaces to do the translation.

 

[Event5]

W,

I installed one of these, UPB/X10 bridges from Foard. It was in a large home with over 100 x10 switches controlled by 4 button x10 controlers/keypads. The home had an older x10 master controller and we wanted to transition to a different controller.

The bridge controller easly received the x10 signals and could convert that to UPB links or devices. At the same time I incorporated the Simply Automated timer scheduler and the bridge was able to receive the UPB signals and send multiple X10 codes to control all the lights. It can send multiple commands from one receive.

I found that the unit had a tough learning curve but worked great once it was setup. I just talked to a rep. from Foard and they have made the programming process a lot simpler since I set this up a year ago.

Dave

 

[Event5]

W,

I would also agree with Upstatemikes suggestion for x10 rf to UPB devices from WGL

Dave