HouseBot

ericvic wrote:One thing I would suggest if going with X-10 is to not use the cheap X-10 brand switches and modules. They will make you wish you never got into X-10. I started with some cheap X-10 brand light switches and they would turn themselves on in the middle of the night and other random times. I have now switched over to Lightolier Compose switches. They cost a bunch more but are rock solid. I also have the Leviton Phase Coupler (I don't remember the model number) and it solved the problem with signals not getting everywhere.

I like the idea of the Z-Wave stuff but there are not enough different type of units out there. I have a ceiling fan in just about every room and use the Compose fan switch to control them. Can't do that with Z-Wave yet.

Eric

So is Power Linc a good brand? Or no?



I've read a lot about phase couplers, and was curious. Exactly how would one install this, and what does it do? Is it a requirement for people living in apartment buildings, or could I get away without it? I have a feeling it is going to have to be installed by an electrician cause it goes before the circuit-breaker? Or could I install it without too much risk of getting a spiked hair-do?

I programmed a x-10 OFF command for the wife,



(I just had a hard time getting her to sit still while I set her Housecode)



She already had DIM covered!



I'm much happier witth home automation now!

Crashless: I'm not an electrician, but my understanding is that phase couplers act as a bridge between two phases (circuits) of a house so that X10 commands can go from one phase to the other. Without a phase coupler, X10 commands can't get to every outlet/switch in the house unless a 220 appliance is turned on (effectively acting as a phase coupler).



I'm using a plug-in phase coupler (http://www.smarthome.com/4816.html) that you can install yourself - You just plug it into the outlet the drier plugs into, then plug the drier into it. I've had good experience with it, it's relatively cheap, and it's easy to install.



I'm not sure how all this applies to apartments, or what you would do without a drier hookup.



My hat off to wordgasm! I set my wife's Housecode, installed a phase coupler, repeater, all the gizmos, and she STILL won't respond to the X10 OFF command!!

Crashless,



kbosscawen explained it pretty well. The phase coupler I have has to be hard wired so since you are in an apartment I would go with the plug-in phase coupler from smarthome.



I have heard that the Linc line from smarthome is pretty good. I don't have any direct experience with it however.



Eric