X10 RF Repeater SR731 PSX01 any comments on performance?

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etc6849

Senior Member
I was looking on google and this discontinued repeater came up:

X10 Radio Frequency Repeater SR731 PSX01

Anyone used an RF X10 repeater before? If you have please answer a few questions found below. Thanks in advance! ;)

Background:
My setup: I use an MR26A X10 RF receiver (RS232 version). I don't use X10 for lighting, but rather use the wireless motion sensors, palm pads, UR81A remote, and key chain remotes. These X10 RF signals are integrated using the free Motorola Premise home automation software and control items in my home theater (using the X10 RF UR81a remote) and vizia rf+ lighting throughout my home (using palm pads, motion sensors, etc).

Thus far, the X10 RF stuff has performed well with near 100% reliability (unless I'm out of range) as they don't rely on sending signals over the powerline for my setup. However, I'd like more range and I don't want to bother with making my own antenna for the MR26A receiver. Thus, I'm looking into the possibility of getting a repeater as I greatly rely on this cheap X10 RF stuff from ebay everyday now. I could also use a different receiver, but that would be a lot of work as I'd have to create a custom driver from scratch (the MR26A is supported natively under Premise).

Questions:
1. Will one of these repeaters repeat all house codes? IE, will the new repeated signal be transparent to any settings on the X10 RF Repeater?
2. Is signal timing going to be 100% perfect so that using a repeater could not possible corrupt an X10 signal that makes it to both the repeater and the receiver? I would think that placement matters a lot here?
3. Is there a good commercially available alternative repeater for X10 RF that is not discontinued?
4. Lastly, any comments on performance from users?
5. Note that whatever repeater I get must only use X10 RF and not use the powerlines at all for reliability reasons.
 
I know you said you don't want to do the antenna mod, but BSR's antenna mod is probably the best option here. This is a very interesting device (never heard of it), let me know if you do get one of these (if you can find one). I don't think there is anything out there which offers similar functionality.
 
Thanks Dan,

I might just try the antenna mod if everyone else has tried it and had excellent results :huh:

I called X10 USA and confirmed that the sr731 is discontinued and nolonger available. I believe it was discontinued a few years back and X10 still hasn't replaced it with anything even though it sounds very useful, especially if you have motion sensors outside and the signal travels through many walls.

Some interesting claims by X10:

1. Up to four repeaters can be used within range of each other allowing RF coverage of very large homes and buildings (up to 80,000 square feet).
2. Increases the radio frequency range of these products by up to 100'

More links:
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_sr731.htm

http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/RF_Repeater
 
I used that repeater device several years ago (about nine or ten). All I remember is it didn't work. I think I wound up pitching it, but I could look around in my closet if you want...
 
I have both W800 and MR26. My MR26 antenna is in the garage wall and my W800 antenna is in the attic. Both of these have runs that exceed 20 feet and are less than 75 feet. Both of the antennas were purchased and not made and runs to them are via RG6. The only mod made was the antenna connection mode in the MR26. I find that I don't need to utilize a repeater. Even my DS10A's work in various "corners" of the home.

Yesterday shut down my sprinkler system and used a palm pad to turn on/off each individual zone while walking around the property (around 3/4 acre). I had no problems with RF. While not really depending on the RF for critical "stuff" I use it for non critical non invasive things in the home. IE: When I am doing something in the garage for a period of time with the door open I use an RF X10 button to shut off the reoccuring garage door open TTS reminder (WAF) and have it reset when the door closes.
 
I have one of those repeaters, if you want it. I'm never going to use it. You can have it.

In my new house, I had it built around the premise that I would have an antenna in the attic receiving DS10 and other such X10 devices.

In my last house (metalized insulation) it was necessary to get the signal from the garage to the inside of the house.

Let me know if you want it. I'll find it (in the house somewhere).

--Dan
 
Thanks everyone for their input. This antenna idea should work great as the MR26a is limited to receiving signals only; I'll definitely pursue this once I move to a larger place.

My next question is has anyone tried using two MR26a's?
I believe one could also do something like this easily using Motorola Premise: place all floor first floor motion sensors on one set of codes and use one MR26A for that floor. Next, use another MR26a and X10 devices on different codes in a garage or different floor and connect the MR26a using a Digi Portserver/X (X networked serial ports) and install realport software on the home automation server for port emulation.

I'm not sure about whether a UDS-10 will work with the MR26a, but I've moved my MR26a a floor lower today using a Digi Portserver/8 I bought for $10 recently! This has fixed the small deadspot I had in my garage :)

Your mileage may vary though using the Digi Portserver stuff. I have a Digi Portserver TS 4 MEI that will not work with the MR26a, but works with all other serial devices I have?!? I was very happy when the older Portserver/8 I recently bought worked so well with the MR26a. The portserver that worked with the MR26a was a very old model too (mo no. 50000254).
 
drozwood90 said:
I have one of those repeaters, if you want it. I'm never going to use it. You can have it.

In my new house, I had it built around the premise that I would have an antenna in the attic receiving DS10 and other such X10 devices.

In my last house (metalized insulation) it was necessary to get the signal from the garage to the inside of the house.

Let me know if you want it. I'll find it (in the house somewhere).

--Dan
[/quote/

Hi dan if you still have one of those repeters i would sure like to get it from you .

if you would be willing to let me have it, let me know
thanks
Don :)
Click to expand...
 
Would someone be able to inform me if the SR751 repeaters would work for my setup... I wish to control x10 in a second building around 100' distant on a separate electrical panel. There is stubbed up power about half way between & I would plan to plug in one SR751 in that location & one in each building to daisy chain ...will that work ? TIA !!
 
Are you trying to get an RF signal (say from a handheld remote or security sensor) from one building to the other?  The SR751 is designed to do that.  But if you want translate a powerline signal to RF to get it from one building to the other, it won't work as it doesn't translate powerline signals to RF. 
 
The SR751 has a range of about 100 feet, so you might be able to get from one building to the other without having an extra one in the middle.   Only way to know is to try it, as many factors can affect the actual range.
 
If you want to get powerline signals from one building to the other, your best bet would be an XTB-IIR Booster/Repeater. 
 
Is the electrical panel in the second building a subpanel off the main panel in the first building?  Or does it have its own drop from the utility line?
 
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