one of the nicer add-ons is the device that makes any phone a 256 code
remote...it captures the DTMF tones from the keypad on your phone line and
retransmits them as X10 codes...avail at Smart House and Home Automation.
Also, most people will need the "bridge" device in the breaker panel of your
house...it connects both phases ("legs") of your incoming power together so
that X10 signals are distributed down both legs. You need this if you seem
to have a system the controls only some of the X10 slaves (i.e. only works
if controller and slave are on the same leg). Get the amplified bridge if
your house is "big"...it's the only one I've used, other than a cheap
version that I built myself with some capacitors. The amplified one seems
to have cured the intermittent response truble I've had before.
-----Original Message-----
From: shop-talk-owner@autox.team.net
[mailto:shop-talk-owner@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Richard Beels
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2000 1:28 PM
To: shop-talk@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Speaking of codes...
x10 sure is great. I moved to PA almost 2 years ago and have started
x10'ing the house. Having a remote control for the lights has been very
useful.
Couple tips about buying from x10.com (and x10.com in general)....
Buy something from them and you get an email every day with their daily
"you must act now" specials. Don't act now, the specials get better and
are almost always honored after they expire.
Goto x10.com and buy the "firecracker" package as many times as you
can. It's the best deal going. I ordered it in my name at my new address,
wife's name at our old address, in-laws at their house, etc... The package
is free + shipping/handling and you get a transceiver (really only need one
of them) a couple lamp modules and a remote control. I now have remote
controls for all floors, basement and garage.
Also, get the RCA close-out sale package. It's $50 but includes a dozen
pieces. 2 of which are keychain remotes - Deb & I use those to turn on the
garage lights so we don't have to turn on all lights when we leave in the
middle of the day and won't be home until night.
The video cameras do work but wait for a sale, they go on sale every couple
months.
x10 also has a "voucher" system where they'll give you an increasing value
voucher when you spend more money. They also have a special every couple
months that gives you $40 to start out with.
If you just miss a special (before or after), call the 800# and you should
be able to convince the rep to give you the discount.
Inch: What's the product that learns your usage? I haven't seen that
one....
At 10:24 9/22/2000, epetrevich@relavis.com was inspired to say:
>Sorry, I forgot that X-10 isn't that popular yet.
>
>First off, a great place to start is http://www.x10.com If you live near a
>Radio Shack, they carry it as well.
>
>x10 is a standard transceiver language that works on existing AC wires in
>your home. It allows you to control any outlet or fixture from any other
>point in the home. It basically is a "home automation" solution without
>the need to rewire the whole house.
Cheers!
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