don't know what's wrong with me :)

[The Pod]

Ok. I have another question to the garage wall switch. Right now, it's a triple gang box. One switch is to on/off the main garage, another switch is to on/off the smaller garage and the other switch is a switch to turn on/off the foyer light. Will I still be able to install the "2031W X10 Wall Switch"? I'm assuming that this device does not have its own gang box.

EDIT: I may have to buy a new face plate to accomodate just the 2 and do some drywall patching too.

Home Automation switches are designed to replace your exsisting light switch and should fit with your original face plate. The only catch when installing is that some switches require a neutral (white) wire connection. Since standard switches do not require neutral wires, electricians will not always string a neutral wire to a switch box since it is typically not needed. The 2031W switch doesn't require a neutral connection so you wouldn't have to worry about that. Also some of the more expensive switches are a bit larger and be a tight fit in an already wire crowded electrical box.

When you state that you have a triple gang box with your three switches. Are the lights only controlled from this gang? Or are the lights wired as a 3-way (two different switches controlling the same light). If its a 3-way switch that you are replacing, then you would need to use something that supported 3-way (Like this) instead. You could also replace both your garage switches and have the elk control both of them. You would just have to position elcano's light sensor in a position that it could detect light from either light, or install two sensors, one at each light.

The Pod

 

[Steve]

To those who are recommending UPB, yes its a great protocol, but not cheap solution to do only one light (even with the great deal on the starter kit). Initial cost would be $125 for the UPB starter kit plus you would also have to spend $72 for the Serial interface to the Elk ($197 total initial investment). If one was serious about getting into automation then its a different story, but v1rtu0s1ty is looking for a simple Elk solution to monitor/control just the garage light for now. With X-10 and the light sensor elcano posted he could do what he wants for $42. (Then we'll get him hooked on Home Automation like the rest of us and start spending tons of money to automate everything in the house.

I don't disagree that the UPB starter kit will be initially more than he needs, but just wanted to make a few points.

The CIM (Computer Interface Module) you need to hook to the Elk comes with the kit so there is not an additional $72 cost. $125 is it. And that gets you 3 switches and a lamp module. Depending on his house, x10 may not even work, or may require filters and almost certainly a phase coupler. So, at the end of the day if you compare apples to apples, the UPB starter kit in my mind makes more sense.

I also would make you a gentlemens bet that as soon as he hooks up this 1 switch, he will post next week asking about another!

 

[The Pod]

I don't disagree that the UPB starter kit will be initially more than he needs, but just wanted to make a few points.

The CIM (Computer Interface Module) you need to hook to the Elk comes with the kit so there is not an additional $72 cost. $125 is it. And that gets you 3 switches and a lamp module. Depending on his house, x10 may not even work, or may require filters and almost certainly a phase coupler. So, at the end of the day if you compare apples to apples, the UPB starter kit in my mind makes more sense.

I also would make you a gentlemens bet that as soon as he hooks up this 1 switch, he will post next week asking about another!

The $72 isn't for the CIM, it is for the Elk-M1XSP. Unless you're telling us you can connect the CIM to the Elk M1G without this additional Elk product. The X-10 (TW523/PSC05) interface plugs right into the main Elk panel. No additional Elk addon products needed.

And I will also agree with you that once he automates one item he'll want another and another. Just trying to get him started simple. Not everyone understands Home Automation and when they are looking to do just one simple item and you show them a price tag of $200 they'll come back and say I'll stick with my .39 cent light switch. X-10 is a cheap start and simple to use/setup (turn two dials on the module to set the address). UPB you'll need a computer to run UPStart on in order to configure your modules, just more of a learning curve.

The Pod

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Oh, definitely I really want to go with Home Automation. That's the reason for me going with ELK and rather than buying the service from ADT which is just for security. And of course Steve, I will post for sure since I'm new in this area. I'm so sorry if you always see my nick on top of the page.

 

[Steve]

The $72 isn't for the CIM, it is for the Elk-M1XSP. Unless you're telling us you can connect the CIM to the Elk M1G without this additional Elk product. The X-10 (TW523/PSC05) interface plugs right into the main Elk panel. No additional Elk addon products needed.

Sorry, I read the post quickly and thought you were referring to the CIM. Certainly he will need an XSP. I tend to agree with you but of course the flip side still is that X10 can require a whole lot more work to get working reliably. JMO, but I still rather spend an extra hundred bucks and know I have the best, especially if I already invested in an M1.

 

[The Pod]

Sorry, I read the post quickly and thought you were referring to the CIM. Certainly he will need an XSP. I tend to agree with you but of course the flip side still is that X10 can require a whole lot more work to get working reliably. JMO, but I still rather spend an extra hundred bucks and know I have the best, especially if I already invested in an M1.

Usually I've had very good luck with X-10 when keeping it simple (only automating 1-3 lights). Over the past 5 years I've set up 4 people with the ActiveHome starter kits and 1-3 modules just to automate one or two simple tasks like outside lighting or garage lights. After downloading the macros to the CM11A for them its been working well. When I talk to these people they tell me its still working great and they love it. Ask them if they want to do more and the answer is usually no, too expensive (and that's X-10). They also think that I'm insane for spending $40-$100 for one light switch. Yet they think its cool when my lights turn on/off by themself. So not everyone gets hooked on full blown home automation. To this day I still use X-10 for automating my holiday lights and stuff just because the modules are so cheap! But anything in the house, I go with better quality. I've been very happy with Z-Wave and have replaced all my plugin modules with Z-wave. Also using Insteon for a lot of the wall switches (I haven't had any problems with my stuff but I keep hearing horor stories from everyone else so I haven't invested anymore into it). UPB is also very nice and I love the way you can change a switch simply by reprogramming it and replacing the face plate. The higher price tag just makes it take a little longer to save up enough money to buy another toy. Wonder if I could just keep buying UPB starter kits and sell off the extra CIM and phase couplers on ebay.

The Pod

 

[batwater]

I chose a different path to solve this problem, a <$25 screw in 340 degree motion dectector between the bulb and socket that I picked up at Lowes. With this, any time I enter the garage the light goes on and automatically goes off after 5 minutes when no motion is detected. This way I don't have to have a free hand to turn on the light and don't have to worry about turning it off. Been using it for several years now.

Ben