X10 Firecracker RF transmitter to 220V receiver?

akalati

I've successfully combined the X10 Firecracker module with a BS2 device.· Things work pretty amazingly:· The Firecracker transmits RF to the 110V RF receiver module, which also has an outlet on it, and thus the BS2 can control the load attached to the receiver.

I have a simple followup need:· I want to use the same device (BS2 , X10 Firecracker RF transmitter, etc.) to "talk" to an X10 receiver in Europe.· I've spoken to X10 and I they don't seem to understand that this should have NOTHING to do with mixing US/Europe 110V/220V wiring/infrastructure/60Hz, etc. (there's no reason why the RF signals used by Firecracker can't be used anywhere in the world; those transmissions simply have to be heard and acted upon by a receiver that's 220v-friendly; or am I missing something?)

Given the above clarify (hopefully), does anyone have any ideas?· I need a receiver that can listen for and act upon the X10 Firecracker RF transmissions (and I don't need any other device on the electrical wiring to be controlled!)

This is a followup to my original post (http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=712427) since that post was a combination of several issues and went on to be confusing and tangential.

Thanks,
Andy
·

Mike Green

You need to talk to X10 about X10 Firecracker modules designed and approved for use in Europe (and their receivers). Strictly speaking, it's illegal to use an RF transmitter in the European Union that's not approved for use there. That said, you'll need to find a dealer for X10 compatible modules in Europe and ask them if they have an RF receiver that's compatible with the US Firecracker module.

I guess I don't understand why you didn't just do a web search. Here's one link I found on Google with "x10 europe": www.x10europe.com/pdf/TM13E.pdf.

Post Edited (Mike Green) : 3/10/2008 5:25:49 PM GMT

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Your biggest roadblock may be starting with an interface (the Firecracker) that's designed only for the US market. X10's CM11 family of computer interfaces includes devices compatible with several European standards, as this website, which I've just come across, points out. BTW, I use a CM11A in conjunction with a PC, and it works great. As long as the protocol is the same across all the CM11s, you could proof your system here with the '11A, then switch to the appropriate substitute for installation in Europe.

-Phil

Franklin

www.x10europe.com/pdf/TM13E.pdf

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- Stephen

allanlane5

Okay, to control X10 you've got the signal flow of:

BS2 -> Firecracker -> RF -> Wall device with antenna -> power-line -> Controlled X10 box.

Okay, so you want to move this to europe. Well, it sounds like the above TM13E replaces the above "Wall device with antenna", which WILL recieve the Firecracker RF signal, so you should be good to go from that point on.

akalati

Yes, I'd like to simply use my existing Firecracker and use the TM13E for my receiver when in Europe.· I also thought it would be that simple, but the "guru" at X10 TS disagrees:

No products sold via the US website can control the TM13E. The TM13A only responds to commands at 418MHz; all US X10 home automation remotes work at 310MHz.

http://www.google.com/search?q=hr12e

If you have any more questions, please reply to this email. Thanks for choosing X10!

Eric Boyd | ericb@x10.com | X10 Email Support | http://kbase.x10.com/


The TM13E spec sheet says,

"A built-in appliance switched outlet responds to X10
signals received on the power line or to RF signals
received from any X10 wireless remote controls."

So that's why I'm confused.

akalati

FYI to the thread...

"X10.com does not sell ANY products that can talk via RF to European X10 receivers. All US RF products are 310MHz; all European ones use 418MHz.

I'd look here for workarounds: http://idobartana.com/hakb/index.htm

If you have any more questions, please reply to this email. Thanks for choosing X10!

Eric Boyd | ericb@x10.com | X10 Email Support | http://kbase.x10.com/
"

allanlane5

Wow, I did NOT know that. That makes sense, but then the PDF where it says "is compatible with ALL RF remotes" is wrong. I'd believe the "guru", myself.

So, you need a european compatible Firecracker -- it's not like they're expensive, after all.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Eropean Firecrackers (wireless CM17 series) appear to be rare, if they exist at all. That's why I suggested switching to the wired CM11 series of computer interfaces. Here is another link to some European X10 info.


-Phil

akalati

Phil & Alan:

Yes, I do need it to be wireless/RF, just like my US unit.· And problem is not cost of buying another Firecracker for Europe.· Problem is that the Europe Firecracker is a huge box that sits on an outlet.· What I have now is totally different -- a tiny DB9 "matchbox" that sits inside my project box, connected to a BS2, that can control lights and appliances throughout the room!!!

Still stuck with no solution, and very frustrated when things have to be so difficult and incompatible once you cross the country boundary.

See attached spec sheets.

Thanks,
Andy

Mike Green

Yes, the European regulatory environment is very different from the US's. Complicating this is a 240V utility power supply which has different characteristics than the US's 120V utility power supply. You may just have to hack one of their RF remotes to use with the TM-13E.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Well, there's this modified version — not really legal in Europe, but demonstrating the lengths to which they apparently have to go.

Mike may be onto your best solution: hack one of the keyfob remotes to simulate button presses.

-Phil

akalati

Yes, seems like Mike hit it on the nose, and Phil, you were very close:

http://www.home-control.co.uk/index_products.php?page=default.php&manufacturers_id=8&osCsid=c2e6be32acbf87211b637a2581022f1f

akalati

Oh... almost forgot... thanks guys!