pjf
Premium Member
For the last 3 years, I’ve been using X10 and INSTEON products to control my aquarium lighting. My T5 daylight bulbs and my T5 actinic bulbs receive power from the INSTEON SwitchLinc modules in the picture below.
My refugium’s power compact lamp runs on a RDP cycle and receives power from the INSTEON OutletLinc receptacles below. The two OutletLincs are new and have replaced two previous X10 receptacles.
To the left of the two OutletLincs is a GFI receptacle. The GFI protects all of the receptacles in the gang box. Unfortunately, the GFI attenuates X10 signals and makes controlling the OutletLincs a challenge. The X10 Mini-Timer in the picture below is able to control the SwitchLincs but is not able to send its signals to the GFI-protected OutletLincs.
To solve this problem, I recently purchased the Smarthome INSTEON TimerLinc in the picture above. The INSTEON signals from the TimerLinc are able to pass through the GFI filters and reach the OutletLincs. Apparently, INSTEON uses a different frequency to carry the commands. This frequency is able to pass through GFI devices to reach INSTEON modules that the X10 frequency cannot.
The TimerLinc has its advantages but it does have one glaring disadvantage. It can only control one INSTEON module or group of modules that turn ON or OFF at the same time. With one TimerLinc, you cannot control two INSTEON modules with different schedules. While it is controlling my OutletLincs, it cannot transmit a different schedule to the SwitchLincs.
I’m returning my TimerLinc in exchange for a computer-controlled INSTEON controller, the PowerLinc. The PowerLinc should be able to control both the OutletLincs and the SwitchLincs. I will let you know in a few weeks if the PowerLinc performs satisfactorily.
My refugium’s power compact lamp runs on a RDP cycle and receives power from the INSTEON OutletLinc receptacles below. The two OutletLincs are new and have replaced two previous X10 receptacles.
To the left of the two OutletLincs is a GFI receptacle. The GFI protects all of the receptacles in the gang box. Unfortunately, the GFI attenuates X10 signals and makes controlling the OutletLincs a challenge. The X10 Mini-Timer in the picture below is able to control the SwitchLincs but is not able to send its signals to the GFI-protected OutletLincs.
To solve this problem, I recently purchased the Smarthome INSTEON TimerLinc in the picture above. The INSTEON signals from the TimerLinc are able to pass through the GFI filters and reach the OutletLincs. Apparently, INSTEON uses a different frequency to carry the commands. This frequency is able to pass through GFI devices to reach INSTEON modules that the X10 frequency cannot.
The TimerLinc has its advantages but it does have one glaring disadvantage. It can only control one INSTEON module or group of modules that turn ON or OFF at the same time. With one TimerLinc, you cannot control two INSTEON modules with different schedules. While it is controlling my OutletLincs, it cannot transmit a different schedule to the SwitchLincs.
I’m returning my TimerLinc in exchange for a computer-controlled INSTEON controller, the PowerLinc. The PowerLinc should be able to control both the OutletLincs and the SwitchLincs. I will let you know in a few weeks if the PowerLinc performs satisfactorily.
