[XCSSA] Solar and Green events in SA

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

>>
>> Even then, there are some bulbs that just don't want to turn off.  I
>> have one (large, like 27W) CF that, when you turn it off, it will  
>> flash
>> at like 400ms intervals for 3 or 4 seconds, then turn the module back
>> on!  That lamp is like a torcherie with a side lamp attached that  
>> I have
>> a smaller bulb in, so as long as BOTH stay turned on, that won't  
>> happen.
>>   But it was really annoying until I figured that out.
>
> Yeah.. I've noticed that the X10 brand modules (even the appliance  
> modules)
> have the "blinking effect".  I think there is a hack you can do on the
> modules to kill that effect...  Let me know if interested..

I looked into that hack.  You need to open up the module and do some  
trace cuttting/soldering.  It would have been nice if X10 had simply  
had a switch to turn off the "local control" feature.  But none do,  
not even the other premium brands that sell X10 modules.

I had a big problem with CF bulbs turning themselves back on years  
ago.  Rather than modding the modules, added little 4W night lights  
to the X10 AC outlets (with power strip, etc).  Not really cool, but  
it worked.  I bought a lot of those 4w replacement bulbs....

For the last few years, CF's have improved in some way so that they  
no longer do this to X10, so I tossed the night lights.  Mostly.  In  
one case recently, I fixed this kind of misbehavior by plugging the  
X10 appliance module straight into the wall (instead of on a surge  
protector strip) and that fixed it, not sure why.

X10 has always been a bit unreliable, but it too has improved over  
the years, best with some of the premium brands (including "X10  
Pro").  Also, I'm using X10 line filter on UPS and computers which  
otherwise puts a lot of noise back onto the power line getting X10  
confused.

I always used only appliance modules on fluorescent lights.  That's  
in the basic instructions.

I read an article in a high end video magazine that discussed two new  
"low cost" home automation systems (_starting_ around $3k), and  
comparing them with the high end systems ($100K) like Creston.  They  
didn't even mention X10 or Insteon (smarthome's new high reliability  
X10-upward-compatible diversity 2-way RF/powerline system).  These  
expensive systems do more than control lights and appliances,  
typically they include audio, video, etc., with touchscreens, voice,  
etc., and typically use wired ethernet and require professional  
installation.  Must be nice, or maybe spooky.  Close the pod door, Hal.

For whole house audio, you can't do too much better than Sonos (which  
starts at $999 for one wireless controller and two digital/analog I/O  
boxes...supports up to 32).  It eats a couple wifi channels, though.   
But you can't beat the wireless controller, which even shows album  
art in color on its screen.

Of course Tweeks has his linux based whole-house A/V.

Charles