Computer control of outlets

[BeanAnimal]

I would NEVER trust x10 for life support. It is VERY susceptible to interference. In addition it is not a "smart" protocol. There is no error correction or command confirmation. A device may miss a request and there is nothing to ensure that the correct procedure is carried out.

Bean

 

[bromion]

But there are 2-way X10 devices, which report their states to the controller, correct? That would allow confirmation of a switch command.

 

[djultra]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7723122#post7723122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
I would NEVER trust x10 for life support. It is VERY susceptible to interference. In addition it is not a "smart" protocol. There is no error correction or command confirmation. A device may miss a request and there is nothing to ensure that the correct procedure is carried out.

Bean

That is true they do sometimes miss a command. X10 has tried to fixed that problem by adding a delayed send feature which sends several of the same commands to make sure one triggers.

I've never had those problems harm my tank because I'm usually right on top of it to correct it with the hand held remote.

This is like a lot of things in this hobby it all depends on your setup and situation. Its good to ask question to try to make a logical decision. But if price doesn't matter I would go with the Neptune style systems. They seem pretty reliable, but are pretty pricey.

 

[CoolUsername]

Try the SERIAL PORT I/O MODULE. You can hook up 8 outlets to this. You'll have to wire them yourself, but it's not difficult. Hook up your temp probe etc to the pc and then the hard part. Write an little app that reads the probe and turns on heaters chillers through the SERIAL PORT I/O MODULE. As software goes it's not that difficult to do. It's around $60 and it extendable if you add more sensor equipment.

http://www.electronickits.com/kit/c...elec/ck1610.htm

You could add a usb PH probe and trigger a doser or alarm based on a threshold. Just an idea.

 

[philipm]

I have an Aquacontroller 2 and used X10 to control my aquarium lighting, PH and Ozone and it worked flawlessly. Aquacontroller sends out multiple commands (I think it sends out one ever so many minutes) to insure the device is off/on. I didn't do anything special. I just followed the directions that came with the equipment. If you just want to control lighting/power heads the ReefKeeper is a relatively low cost solution that avoids X10 entirely. My main concern with x10 and a laptop is that sometimes computers crash/lockup/getconfused etc... and any control program you had running would fail.

 

[bromion]

Yes, the computer crashing scenario is a problem. Since it's such a simple program, my plan would be to eventually migrate it to a microprocessor device (ARM or such) and have it run stand-alone. But I want to go the easy way first!

 

[perpetual98]

With the x10 garbage that I played around with, the program was uploaded to the devices somehow. I didn't need to have my computer on for it to function (or not function as the case may be)

 

[Donw]

Ive been playing with x10 since the late 70's and have never seen a UL listed appliance module that disconnected the neutral side. If you need just lighting control the x10 bugs are easy to work out but would only go with hardwired automation for other devices. There are plenty of hardwired solutions at a affordable price range.

Don

Don

 

[oldsalty]

Gee, I to have been using x10 since the late 70's I control my entire house with it, my reef,my sprinklers and pond. It does have it's quirks but it isn't junk. The folks that say it is IMO don't understand it. I have been using a program called HAL Delux which is actual voice commands it's real cool and works really well.

 

[cowboy898]

I have used X10 for a year now to control outlets with only one problem, the lighting. I since purchase a newer module and no more problem.

I also purchased X10 ActiveHome Pro software to control everything and I downloaded the SDK software and wrote my own error checking program.