Ok, continuing Newbie posting! Lighting control

[dublin]

Hiya Folks,
Ok, to refresh, I have a small cabin in the woods that I'd like to be able to control the thermostat via phone. There really is no reason for security stuff at this time. Perhaps a few years down the road I'll change my mind but for now, I'm just looking to control the thermostat and control one exisiting hardwired light (actually 2 but they're on the same switch). So I think I've decided to go with the CT-240 or CT-241 phone controller (http://www.smarthome.com/300601.html) and a two stage thermostat. I feel pretty sure of how that piece of this goes together. Where I'm clueless is how to now control the light. I believe I need some sort of a "bridge" if you will to connect the contacts on the CT240 and the house power lines so X10 signals can be used. I see a couple of options here: http://www.smarthome.com/2010.html which is a "Universal Module" or this, http://www.smarthome.com/4060.html which is the "X10 Powerflash Interface". I'm really not sure which one to use. Next, I was hoping to use a switch with X10 built in to receive the signal from the Universal Module or Powerflash Interface. Trouble is, I can't fine a switch that matches the other switches in the house (toggle type, not Decora, in a Dark Brown or even Black). So I was thinking of using one of these (well, one for each bulb), http://www.smarthome.com/2005cm.html (a screw in lamp module). I realize that when I leave the cabin, I would have to have the switch to the lights in the on position and have the phone controller keeping the lights off until I'm ready to turn them on but I think I can manage through that. Is approace going to work or is there another, simpler way (or better yet, anyone know of some black/dark brown toggle switches that would work for me?)? Thanks much for all the help.
jlc

 

[upstatemike]

Hiya Folks,
Ok, to refresh, I have a small cabin in the woods that I'd like to be able to control the thermostat via phone. There really is no reason for security stuff at this time. Perhaps a few years down the road I'll change my mind but for now, I'm just looking to control the thermostat and control one exisiting hardwired light (actually 2 but they're on the same switch). So I think I've decided to go with the CT-240 or CT-241 phone controller (http://www.smarthome.com/300601.html) and a two stage thermostat. I feel pretty sure of how that piece of this goes together. Where I'm clueless is how to now control the light. I believe I need some sort of a "bridge" if you will to connect the contacts on the CT240 and the house power lines so X10 signals can be used. I see a couple of options here: http://www.smarthome.com/2010.html which is a "Universal Module" or this, http://www.smarthome.com/4060.html which is the "X10 Powerflash Interface". I'm really not sure which one to use. Next, I was hoping to use a switch with X10 built in to receive the signal from the Universal Module or Powerflash Interface. Trouble is, I can't fine a switch that matches the other switches in the house (toggle type, not Decora, in a Dark Brown or even Black). So I was thinking of using one of these (well, one for each bulb), http://www.smarthome.com/4060.html (a screw in lamp module). I realize that when I leave the cabin, I would have to have the switch to the lights in the on position and have the phone controller keeping the lights off until I'm ready to turn them on but I think I can manage through that. Is approace going to work or is there another, simpler way (or better yet, anyone know of some black/dark brown toggle switches that would work for me?)? Thanks much for all the help.
jlc

Looks like you posted the Powerflash link twice instead of the screw-in module link. (Or was that a test to see if we were paying attention?)

 

[dublin]

Looks like you posted the Powerflash link twice instead of the screw-in module link. (Or was that a test to see if we were paying attention?)
[/quote]

Indeed! You are correct. Corrected the original post.
Cheers,
jlc

 

[dublin]

Anyone? It appears through reading that I would use the Powerflash. Now it's just down to where I can find the right switch or plan to use the socket screw in devices. I'm also toying with Insteon, UPB, Z-Wave but haven't really found how to go about those. Any help is appreciated.
Cheers,
jlc

 

[DeLicious]

for your purposes (1 switch!), i think Insteon/UPB/Z-wave would be overkill... unless you plan on expanding on these plans in the future. X10 is likely more than sufficient for your purposes. I think screw in modules are a good way to go if you are trying to preserve the look of your switches. My advice would be to put the powerflash as close to the switch that controls the lights with the screw in modules as possible, so the signal will be strong. Otherwise, depending on what else you have plugged in around the cabin and the quality of the wiring, you should be prepared to deal with a filter or a booster or two. Other than that, your plan seems pretty sound (at least, it seems sound to me, although I'm not an X10 guy)

 

[dublin]

for your purposes (1 switch!), i think Insteon/UPB/Z-wave would be overkill... unless you plan on expanding on these plans in the future. X10 is likely more than sufficient for your purposes. I think screw in modules are a good way to go if you are trying to preserve the look of your switches. My advice would be to put the powerflash as close to the switch that controls the lights with the screw in modules as possible, so the signal will be strong. Otherwise, depending on what else you have plugged in around the cabin and the quality of the wiring, you should be prepared to deal with a filter or a booster or two. Other than that, your plan seems pretty sound (at least, it seems sound to me, although I'm not an X10 guy)

Thanks! The distances are pretty short (cabin is less than 1000sf! So the Powerflash will probably be within 8' of the switch. Appreciate the "review" of my plans.
Cheers,
jlc

 

[dublin]

I thought I'd just follow up in case anyone else decides to try this setup. I finally had a chance to get up to the cabin this weekend and install some of this stuff. Unfortunately, I have no neutral in my switch box as it's a switch loop. Given it's a log cabin etc.... I really don't think I'll be able to pull a neutral in so will have to look for another wey. The unfortunate thing is I actually have the ICON switch in Brown ready to go....frustrating. The distance between the lights and switch is probably less than 5 feet but given the construction methods, I think I'm out of luck pulling another wire in.
Cheers,
cc

 

[politics123]

there are plenty of lighting solutions that don't require the neutral. Leviton's version of Z-wave (ViziaRF) for example

 

[dublin]

there are plenty of lighting solutions that don't require the neutral. Leviton's version of Z-wave (ViziaRF) for example

Yeah, I believe there are others as well but I cannot find the switches in brown. It's very frustrating to want to do something and then get held back because of color. I'm just going to skip automating the light and just do the thermostat and call it done. I guess I'm not real patient with this automation stuff!
Cheers,
cc

 

[Ranger Digital]

JLC, I encourage you to not give up on the lighting automation. Due dilligence, and the aid of this board, will help you find the appropriate solution. Once you have experienced the conveniene of HA, you will be satisfied with the effort. This also shows many of us the need for an integrators as they can take care of the patience and details that many homeowners just dont want to do, and thats perfectly fine. Its what we are about.

Its possible that levitons switches may have another manufacturers paddles that can be made to fit, thus getting the color you want. I have no experience with Leviton, but there has GOT to be a solution to meet your needs.

You wont regret it.

 

[dublin]

JLC, I encourage you to not give up on the lighting automation. Due dilligence, and the aid of this board, will help you find the appropriate solution. Once you have experienced the conveniene of HA, you will be satisfied with the effort. This also shows many of us the need for an integrators as they can take care of the patience and details that many homeowners just dont want to do, and thats perfectly fine. Its what we are about.

Its possible that levitons switches may have another manufacturers paddles that can be made to fit, thus getting the color you want. I have no experience with Leviton, but there has GOT to be a solution to meet your needs.

You wont regret it.

Yeah, I suppose given all of this is fairly new (to me particularly), I need to exert a bit more patience! I'll surf around this weekend and see what I can come up with. With the Vizia stuff, I don't know how to go from a set of dry contacts to the switch (ie. I was going to use the powerflash with the ICON switch but not sure how to do that with the Vizia). I've got a call into Leviton but haven't heard back from them yet. Thanks for the encouragement! It would be a whole lot easier if I just had white switches!
Cheers,
cc

 

[politics123]

Vizia RF is available in brown, but it's a special order item. The normally stocked stuff is triple packed (white/almond/ivory), but you can definitely get Brown.

As for driving from contact closure, there aren't any direct solutions. ViziaRF supports IR remotes to their scene controllers, but then you have to buy 3 things. There are plenty of Zwave controllers that have PC interfaces. (Vizia, the Homeseer keyfob, etc) I googled X10 to Zwave bridge and found some reference @ Wayne-Dalton, but it doesn't appear to be shipping yet: http://www.wayne-dalton.com/access/access_controllers.asp#

Check out this table which contains whether a neutral is required:
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Common/switchg...tion_guide1.htm

It appears that there are a few options that are X10 compatible and don't require a dimmer (eg: the inductive switch, as long as you have a 40watt+ lightbulb)

 

[Ranger Digital]

I believe ON-q's ALC has a deep brown as well.