Xref: utzoo rec.gardens:2653 sci.electronics:7360 misc.consumers.house:6938
Path: utzoo!censor!geac!jtsv16!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!jade!morris
From: morris@jade.jpl.nasa.gov (Mike Morris)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens,sci.electronics,misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: bsr x-10 for sprinklers, et al
Message-ID: <1551@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov>
Date: 9 Aug 89 09:59:20 GMT
References: <3387@internal.Apple.COM>
Reply-To: morris@jade.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (Mike Morris)
Distribution: usa
Lines: 37

There has been an ongoing discussion of using BSR applicance modules to
control sprinklers by switching the AC to the zones, or switching multiple
trnasformers.

A couple of points: 

1)  The BSR signal is fragile.  I have several lights controlled by BSR stuff
    here in teh house, and if the refrigerator or the freezer chooses to start
    at the same moment, the BSR signal can't get through.  If I had a system
    that ran sprinklers, I'd program an additional off pulse a minute or two
    later.  In fact my CP-290 is programmed to duplicate any on or off code
    2 minutes later just-in-case.  This trick has made my system much more
    reliable.  I also "off" my porch lights at 2am, in case I've forgotten.

2)  There are several versions of the applicance module.  Many can't be used
    to switch other than 110vac.  Switching the primaries of multiple
    transformers is pretty much foolproof.

3)  BSR has just announced a new module designed for the experimenter - it has
    dry contact outputs.  It can't switch a _lot_ of current, I think it's
    only 2 amp contacts, but it would be ideal for this.  The production is
    just now ramping up, so sit tight.  I've got one plan for a module - turn
    off the phone bell in the bedroom at night!

4)  Another product that is in the works is an ascii transciever: press a
    button on a control console and a string could be sent to your PC.  The
    PC could make a decision and send out another string (with a different
    house code, for example) and operate modules.  This type of a controller
    makes for interetsting possibilities - direct control of modules using
    the console on one house code, "interpreted" control by talking to the PC
    on another code.  I plan on getting one when they come out - I have an
    ond Z80 single baord computer lying around...

Mike Morris
UUCP: Morris@Jade.JPL.NASA.gov
#Include quote.cute.standard   | The opinions above probably do not even come
cat flames.all > /dev/null     | close to those of my employer(s), if any.