You didn't miss a suggested price, but may have missed the part about the
modules being available directly from X-10. They're charging around $10 for
the module.
As I said in the article, I've been slowly (!) piecing together an HCS II based
on the BCC180 and the BCC bus. You'll be able to use optoisolated inputs and
outputs, relay outputs, A/D input, and so on. I know the type of system you're
suggesting, but I think that for most applications, a LAN requiring an
interface at every node would become too expensive for most people.
Archinetics' Max system is based on the LAN concept. I don't have pricing
information, but I've found that most whole-house systems that do much of
anything (like Max) start around $5000 and go up from there. Unless you can
put together a node interface using a custom chip and produce countless
thousands of them, the price per node is going to be at least $150-$200. It's
much cheaper to use X-10 for light and some appliance control, and use
hard-wiring for contact closure inputs and outputs.
Msg#: 4207 *PROJECTS*
06/23/88 10:13:44
From: STEVE CIARCIA
To: JEFF JENSEN
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4179 (X10 PL513 MODULE)
The remote sensing device you want is an upcoming CC INK project. In CC INK #4
or #5 we (we're trying to decide 1 or 2 parts) we have an intelligent
6809-based 8 channel A/D (3 1/2 digit) that talks serial.
-- Steve
⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐
Discussion on Home Control using the
X⌐10 Powerhouse interface for the PC
Bruce's Bar and Grill BBS
203/236⌐3761
June 1988
⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐⌐
Msg#: 714 *BULLETIN BOARD*
06/23/88 03:08:27 (Read 5 Times)
From: JIM KELLEY
To: TAEGAN GODDARD
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 660 (HOME CONTROL)
Taegan,
I have been using the X10 here for a few years and have had the PC interface ▄j ▄îfor about 6 months. Handy little unit! Are you using the A-BUS for your
sensors? I thought about buying one, but have decided to build my own. Back
when I was using a Sinclair ZX81 I built one for that.
I uploaded the program you wrote for the X10 and it is quite good. What
language did you write it in? I have also written a program that uses the X10
in pascal. It is a hard disk menu and uses ALT key combinations to turn on or
off specific units. I would be glad give you a copy if you would like to look
at it but it has some functions that will only work on my computer.
--Jim
Msg#: 715 *BULLETIN BOARD*
06/23/88 10:35:03 (Read 0 Times)
From: TAEGAN GODDARD
To: JIM KELLEY
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 714 (HOME CONTROL)
Jim, I would love to see the programming work of another X-0 users. Your PAscal
program sounds interesting certainly.... I write most of my stuff in QuickBASIC
4.0 because I'm too lazy to learn the intricacies of another language. I've
experimented with Small C and Turbo Prolog also but don't know them well enough
to an in depth program. When I get the time I'm going to learn Quick C, but
QuickBASIC is hard to stop using - it is a wonderful implimentation of basic.
I'm not using the ABUS for sensors - but I've heard it is well supported by the
compnay and easy to use - that's why I mentioned. I built my own interface for
my old Apple //e - and I'll probably do that for my PC. Currently I'm using
the game port for 4 analog inputs and 4 single bit inputs - fine for
experimenting... I'd really like to see some stuff / ideas you written for the
X-10 - there aren't too many out there
Try the Circuit Cellar BBS 871-1988 for some really great X-10 discussions -
if you don't already...!
....Taegan
Msg#: 4232 *GENERAL*
06/24/88 08:37:48
From: KEN DAVIDSON
To: RICHARD ANDREWS
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4216 (X-10 TRANSCEIVER)
Just as that issue came back from the printers, we received one of the 2-way
units from X-10. I'm doing an update article for the fourth issue of INK that
describes the module and how to use it. X-10 says that there will be enough
modules to meet any demand created by that update article when it appears, so
it looks like limited production quantities are close. Its cost should still
be around $10 (give or take a few bucks).
▄j ▄î
Msg#: 4247 *GENERAL*
06/24/88 12:25:17
From: TAEGAN GODDARD
To: ALL
Subj: BSR MODULES
OK.. A question I just have to ask: Why are my appliance modules acting up? I
just walked into my bedroom - CD player on, Fan on - walked past the fan and...
CLICK! The TV pops on! Why? No one else is home playing practical jokes on me.
This has happenned with three modules - always with the TV. I just can't
explain it. This could be pretty dangerous If I had something else turned on
by an appliance module... Any answers for this problem?
Msg#: 4250 *GENERAL*
06/24/88 15:59:01
From: KEN DAVIDSON
To: TAEGAN GODDARD (Rcvd)
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4247 (BSR MODULES)
I assume the modules you have are the older brown modules. That's all Steve
has in his house and he's complained about the same thing in the past. One
feature of his HCS is an auto-restore function that sends commands to all the
modules every few minutes so they are set to their proper states should a
glitch come along.
The newer tan modules are completely redesigned and are much more reliable.
The tan ones are all I use and only very rarely do I have a glitch (only two in
the last year and a half that I can recall).
Msg#: 4313 *GENERAL*
06/26/88 22:20:04
From: TAEGAN GODDARD
To: KEN DAVIDSON
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4250 (BSR MODULES)
Those old brown modules will have to go someday .. but I love Steve's idea
about sending refresh codes every few minutes. Never thought of that. Real
good idea!
Msg#: 4248 *GENERAL*
06/24/88 12:28:05
From: TAEGAN GODDARD
To: ALL
Subj: HOME CONTROL SENSORS
I've been using thermistors to measure changes in temperature. Is there
anything better to use with an IBM PC... My technical background is limited:
from magazines, BBSs, and books. Where is the best place to order them from??
Thanks much... Taegan
Msg#: 4297 *GENERAL*
06/26/88 00:10:30
From: ANDY FLATT▄j ▄îTo: TAEGAN GODDARD (Rcvd)
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4248 (HOME CONTROL SENSORS)
The best thing I've found to measure temperature is an AD590, a 3-terminal temp
sensor from Analog Devices. It is linear with temperature, and is a current
output device, so long wire runs will not affect its output.
The LM...what is it, 334?...is another 3-terminal device that can be used to
measure temps, but it's not as accurate. Just hook the thing between + and
ground, and take its output lead through a 10K to ground and measure the
voltage at that point. Direct voltage output of the Kelvin scale! (2.73V = 273
Andy Flatt, sysop NightHawk BBS, Iowa City, IA. 319/338-2961.
Msg#: 4273 *GENERAL*
06/25/88 09:31:19
From: TIM GALLAGHER
To: ED NISLEY
Subj: IBM GAMEPORT
I HAVE NO O-SCOPE YET,AND I AM TRYING TO USE THE GAME PORT ON MY IBM CLONE TO
LOOK AT SIGNALS.I'M SENDING AN OUT TO HEX 201 AND THEN TIMING
THE DIGITAL PULSE,WHICH DEPENDS ON THE RESISTANCE.THIS WORKS FINE FOR PHOTO
RESISTERS,SOLAR CELLS,POTENTIOMETERS ETC.BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE VOLTAGE CHANGES.I
HAVE A PRESSURE SENSOR IC TAHT OUTPUTS A DIFFERENTIAL VOLTAGE FROM A WHEATSTONE
BRIDGE ACCORDING TO THE PRESSURE. AFTER APLIFING THIS I WOULD LIKE TO SENT THRU
THE GAME PORT FOR PROCESSING ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE E WILL BE APPRECIATED.THANKS
Msg#: 4314 *GENERAL*
06/26/88 22:22:50
From: TAEGAN GODDARD
To: ANDY FLATT
Subj: HOME CONTROL SENSORS
Thanks Andy for the info about those devices, you made my search a whole lot
easier. I've been using these thermistors I picked up in a surplus store in
Rochester and I'm tired of the unreliability I have to put up with...
...Taegan
Msg#: 4254 *PROJECTS*
06/24/88 19:00:46
From: JEFF JENSEN
To: KEN DAVIDSON (Rcvd)
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4199 (X10 PL513 MODULE)▄j ▄îKen, thanks for the pricing info. Even at twice the price for the module, it
seems like a pretty good deal. A guy could easily spend more than that trying
to locate the parts for it.
. On the topic of the remote sensor, I didn't do a real good job of describing
my idea. Most of the systems I have seen so far are "centralized" in that the
intelligence is all in one place. I have been interested in home control,
security, environment, weather stations, etc. for a while. As I design these
things in my head, I keep coming to the conclusion that by putting a little
bit of intelligence at the sensing end, you could possibly reduce wire
stringing, and definitely add flexibility and concentrate sensing devices into
zones. A single pair of wires would allow you to keep track of a room full of
contact sensors, plus a thermistor, an IR sensor or a position sensor on a
pot. Implementing a weather station with temperature, wind speed and wind
direction would be a snap. These "smart" sensors or sensor concentrators
could use an ASCII character stream to identify themselves, identify fields of
data and then pass the data. Any PC with a serial port could capture the data
and act on it, be it logging, dialing for help or turning on a light. In
actuality, this would be an extension or modification to the HCS system
rather than a replacement.
. The communications medium could be carrier current, RF, the household LAN,
or it could be IR across the room to another sensor concentrator or one of
these IR extenders similar to Radio Shack's. My concern for wiring
alternatives comes from the house I live in. It is an older home, with
plaster walls and finished ceilings. Snaking cables from each window and door
in the joint down to a central location does not excite me. I'm looking for
another way from here to there, but with a variety of alternatives.
.
. Jeff
Msg#: 4255 *PROJECTS*
06/24/88 19:01:20
From: JEFF JENSEN
To: STEVE CIARCIA
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4207 (X10 PL513 MODULE)
Steve, I'm looking forward to the article. Is there any way to look under the
covers ;-) of the article. I have a couple of thoughts on addressability
and binary contact sensing.
.
. Jeff
Msg#: 4284 *PROJECTS*
06/25/88 14:51:26
From: KEN DAVIDSON
To: JEFF JENSEN
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4254 (X10 PL513 MODULE)
Distributed intelligence is definitely one way of doing it. Give each room its
own processor that senses motion, controls the lights in that one room, and can
send out the status of things over a twisted-pair connection. A single master
computer at a central location can monitor and coordinate things and decide
when to sound any alarms.
Such a system will still be more expensive than a single central computer ▄j ▄îcontrolling the whole shootin' match, but for applications where wire runs must
be kept to a minimum or are so complicated that a single processor becomes
overwhelmed, it makes sense.
Msg#: 4299 *PROJECTS*
06/26/88 00:14:58
From: ANDY FLATT
To: ALL
Subj: IR SENSORS
Can anyone direct me to any articles on how to build or use passive IR
detectors? I see all this talk here about security, and IR detectors, and I
just went and bought the RCA $30 IR light controller. The thing's neat, except
the circuit is potted. (How DARE they!) I'd like to know how the things work,
and perhaps how I could build some up to play with.
Surely there's been an article or two on them. Where should I look?
Andy Flatt, sysop NightHawk BBS, Iowa City, IA. 319/338-2961.
Msg#: 4300 *PROJECTS*
06/26/88 00:22:38
From: ALEXANDER SCHNEIDER
To: ANDY FLATT
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 4299 (IR SENSORS)
Call Eltec Instruments, Inc. (800) 874-7780 They will send you a rather large
catalog including text on the individual sensors, completed systems, and
