Alternative (CHEAP!) to PL-513/TW-523

Archiver

Hi, Folks. New-B here.

I just did a search on X10's site for PL-513 and TW-523. Niether were
found. Have they been discontinued?

Better question: Has anyone figured out where/how to inject the
commands from a BS2 to any of the other "available" controllers? I
have the Radio Slack version of a mini-controller, which obviously has
a power-line interface built in.

What I'm trying to do is get around buying a CM-11A and its inherent
reliability problems. I *KNOW* I can interface the Stamp to the
mini-controller to push the buttons. But that's a silly solution if I
can figure out where to tap into the power-line interface. A much more
elegant solution! And I already have everything I need.

Anyone?

Archiver

At 06:00 PM 1/30/04 +0000, wun_fungi wrote:
>Hi, Folks. New-B here.
>
>I just did a search on X10's site for PL-513 and TW-523. Niether were
>found. Have they been discontinued?

Here is a link to the PL-513:
http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_pl513.htm
And here is a link to the TW-523:
http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_tw523.htm

Since the Stamp can on send, and not receive X-10 commands, the PL-513
would be the more appropriate module.


>Better question: Has anyone figured out where/how to inject the
>commands from a BS2 to any of the other "available" controllers? I
>have the Radio Slack version of a mini-controller, which obviously has
>a power-line interface built in.

Many folks have opted for the Firecracker Package as shown here:
http://www.x10.com/automation/firecracker.htm


>What I'm trying to do is get around buying a CM-11A and its inherent
>reliability problems. I *KNOW* I can interface the Stamp to the
>mini-controller to push the buttons. But that's a silly solution if I
>can figure out where to tap into the power-line interface. A much more
>elegant solution! And I already have everything I need.
>
>Anyone?
Regards,

Bruce Bates

Archiver

--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Bates <bvbates@u...> wrote:
> At 06:00 PM 1/30/04 +0000, wun_fungi wrote:
>
> Many folks have opted for the Firecracker Package as shown here:
> http://www.x10.com/automation/firecracker.htm
>
> Regards,
>
> Bruce Bates

Thanks, Bruce.

I looked at the firecracker. But based on experience, I'm not too fond
of the wireless route. It's easy enough to interface the stamp to the
mini-controller switches. I was just fishing for a more efficient
approach.

Thanks, again.

Stephen Weller
American. Veteran. Patriot.

Archiver

As far as I know, the only way to monitor
the power lines with off-the-shelf stuff is
the CM11A -- which has a built-in RS-232 port.

The 'FireCracker' is very nice, works with RF
as you point out -- and this allows you to
have some distance between your control
device (PC or Stamp) and the controlling wall
outlet. And it's relatively in-expensive.
It is control only, however.

The TW-525 has SUCH an arcane interface, is
too fast for the BS2, and only gives you
accurate status on the power-line if you
query it again and again.

Good luck.

--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "wun_fungi" <sweller@a...> wrote:
> Hi, Folks. New-B here.
>
> I just did a search on X10's site for PL-513 and TW-523. Niether
were
> found. Have they been discontinued?
>
> Better question: Has anyone figured out where/how to inject the
> commands from a BS2 to any of the other "available" controllers? I
> have the Radio Slack version of a mini-controller, which obviously
has
> a power-line interface built in.
>
> What I'm trying to do is get around buying a CM-11A and its inherent
> reliability problems. I *KNOW* I can interface the Stamp to the
> mini-controller to push the buttons. But that's a silly solution if
I
> can figure out where to tap into the power-line interface. A much
more
> elegant solution! And I already have everything I need.
>
> Anyone?