Control Ceiling Lights [Archive]

komobu

23-12-2006, 11:11 AM

Hi;

I bought a new car with a Homelink system in it that controls the
Garage door opener. That is great! I would also like to be able to turn
on the ceiling lights in the living room. How is this done? I own the
house, and am pretty good with electrical. I am hoping to replace a
wall switch with a type that will recieve a signal from the car and
activate. Is there something like this available? Could you please
reccomend a name and a link?

Thanks for any advice
Pat

RBM

23-12-2006, 01:51 PM

The homelink in your car is a transmitter. It works with the equipment
already in your garage door operator. If you want it to control lights and
other things in your house, you need to purchase receiver modules designed
to receive the signal and switch whatever circuit you want to control. Radio
shack and Sears sell these devices

"komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166831856.985708.137970@f1g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Hi;
>
> I bought a new car with a Homelink system in it that controls the
> Garage door opener. That is great! I would also like to be able to turn
> on the ceiling lights in the living room. How is this done? I own the
> house, and am pretty good with electrical. I am hoping to replace a
> wall switch with a type that will recieve a signal from the car and
> activate. Is there something like this available? Could you please
> reccomend a name and a link?
>
> Thanks for any advice
> Pat
>

komobu

23-12-2006, 01:51 PM

> If you want it to control lights and
> other things in your house, you need to purchase receiver modules designed
> to receive the signal and switch whatever circuit you want to control.

Thanks...I figured as much...but I need to know what it is called so I
know what to ask for. Is the reciever and the lightswitch one item, or
is it two separate things? Please provide a link if you know of one so
I can look at it or give me an idea what to google.

Thanks and have a nice Christmas
Pat

RBM

23-12-2006, 01:51 PM

Sorry, I've never seen their equipment. My guess is that it's similar to
X-10 or Levitan home controls, which would be a receiver and switch built
into one unit that would replace the existing wall switch. They may have
wall outlets that can be turned on and off by a signal as well

"komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166832726.419877.181600@f1g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>> If you want it to control lights and
>> other things in your house, you need to purchase receiver modules
>> designed
>> to receive the signal and switch whatever circuit you want to control.
>
> Thanks...I figured as much...but I need to know what it is called so I
> know what to ask for. Is the reciever and the lightswitch one item, or
> is it two separate things? Please provide a link if you know of one so
> I can look at it or give me an idea what to google.
>
> Thanks and have a nice Christmas
> Pat
>

AZ Woody

23-12-2006, 01:51 PM

If it is X10 (and I seem to remember hearing that someplace), you need
an RF receiver, set to the same "house code" as the device in your car.
This will put commands over the power line in your house.

Then you can get x10 wall switches, or plug in modules to control
lights, etc.

A good place to look for info is x10.com - but beware of popup ads!

RBM wrote:
> Sorry, I've never seen their equipment. My guess is that it's similar to
> X-10 or Levitan home controls, which would be a receiver and switch built
> into one unit that would replace the existing wall switch. They may have
> wall outlets that can be turned on and off by a signal as well
>
>
>
> "komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1166832726.419877.181600@f1g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>>> If you want it to control lights and
>>> other things in your house, you need to purchase receiver modules
>>> designed
>>> to receive the signal and switch whatever circuit you want to control.
>> Thanks...I figured as much...but I need to know what it is called so I
>> know what to ask for. Is the reciever and the lightswitch one item, or
>> is it two separate things? Please provide a link if you know of one so
>> I can look at it or give me an idea what to google.
>>
>> Thanks and have a nice Christmas
>> Pat
>>
>
>

RBM

23-12-2006, 01:51 PM

I'm not suggesting it's compatible with line carriers like X-10, this is RF,
I'm just suggesting that the equipment is probably similar in it's operating
characteristics

"AZ Woody" <reply@here> wrote in message
news:458c7850$0$3574$815e3792@news.qwest.net...
> If it is X10 (and I seem to remember hearing that someplace), you need an
> RF receiver, set to the same "house code" as the device in your car. This
> will put commands over the power line in your house.
>
> Then you can get x10 wall switches, or plug in modules to control lights,
> etc.
>
> A good place to look for info is x10.com - but beware of popup ads!
>
> RBM wrote:
>> Sorry, I've never seen their equipment. My guess is that it's similar to
>> X-10 or Levitan home controls, which would be a receiver and switch built
>> into one unit that would replace the existing wall switch. They may have
>> wall outlets that can be turned on and off by a signal as well
>>
>>
>>
>> "komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1166832726.419877.181600@f1g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>>>> If you want it to control lights and
>>>> other things in your house, you need to purchase receiver modules
>>>> designed
>>>> to receive the signal and switch whatever circuit you want to control.
>>> Thanks...I figured as much...but I need to know what it is called so I
>>> know what to ask for. Is the reciever and the lightswitch one item, or
>>> is it two separate things? Please provide a link if you know of one so
>>> I can look at it or give me an idea what to google.
>>>
>>> Thanks and have a nice Christmas
>>> Pat
>>>
>>

indago

23-12-2006, 01:51 PM

061222 1857 - komobu posted:

> Hi;
>
> I bought a new car with a Homelink system in it that controls the
> Garage door opener. That is great! I would also like to be able to turn
> on the ceiling lights in the living room. How is this done? I own the
> house, and am pretty good with electrical. I am hoping to replace a
> wall switch with a type that will recieve a signal from the car and
> activate. Is there something like this available? Could you please
> reccomend a name and a link?
>
> Thanks for any advice
> Pat
>
Here's something...

http://www.comforthouse.com/nonam2.html

Dave Houston

23-12-2006, 01:51 PM

"komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote:

>I bought a new car with a Homelink system in it that controls the
>Garage door opener. That is great! I would also like to be able to turn
>on the ceiling lights in the living room. How is this done? I own the
>house, and am pretty good with electrical. I am hoping to replace a
>wall switch with a type that will recieve a signal from the car and
>activate. Is there something like this available? Could you please
>reccomend a name and a link?

Homelink can learn codes from RF remotes and there are instructions on the
Homelink website for teaching it from an X-10 remote.

You will also need an X-10 transceiver (e.g. RR501 or Leviton HCPRF) which
will receive the RF and send X-10 PLC over the powerline to an X-10 capable
wall switch.

The above model numbers assume you are in N. America.

http://davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

E. Lee Dickinson

23-12-2006, 06:51 PM

"RBM" <rbm2(remove this)@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:Wo_ih.2913$Pw1.1433@newsfe09.lga...
> The homelink in your car is a transmitter. It works with the equipment
> already in your garage door operator. If you want it to control lights and
> other things in your house, you need to purchase receiver modules designed
> to receive the signal and switch whatever circuit you want to control

Actually, Homelink is a little cooler than that. IT will learn an RF remote,
such as an X-10 or insteon RF remote.

Komobu, have a look at the insteon starter kits at www.smarthome.com -- I
have bought from them and been happy with the service and quality, but the
best thing about them is the volume of clear information available on their
website.

Dave Houston

24-12-2006, 12:29 AM

"E. Lee Dickinson" <lee@firstnamelastname.com> wrote:

>
>"RBM" <rbm2(remove this)@optonline.net> wrote in message
>news:Wo_ih.2913$Pw1.1433@newsfe09.lga...
>> The homelink in your car is a transmitter. It works with the equipment
>> already in your garage door operator. If you want it to control lights and
>> other things in your house, you need to purchase receiver modules designed
>> to receive the signal and switch whatever circuit you want to control
>
>Actually, Homelink is a little cooler than that. IT will learn an RF remote,
>such as an X-10 or insteon RF remote.
>
>Komobu, have a look at the insteon starter kits at www.smarthome.com -- I
>have bought from them and been happy with the service and quality, but the
>best thing about them is the volume of clear information available on their
>website.

A few things to consider...

The original post came from Korea.

There are, as yet, no Insteon RF remotes. Insteon RF is FSK and while the
Homelink unit in the car can learn and playback different frequencies, I'm
not sure it can handle FSK.

If the OP is in Korea, the key issue will be just what RF operated lighting
devices are available there. The RF range of the transmitter is limited.
X-10 works well with it because the transceiver can be in the garage and
send PLC commands anywhere in the house over the powerlines. There are many
direct RF systems (many made in Korea) but the RF switch location needs to
be within range.

http://davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Dave Houston

24-12-2006, 05:19 AM

"komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hi;
>
>I bought a new car with a Homelink system in it that controls the
>Garage door opener. That is great! I would also like to be able to turn
>on the ceiling lights in the living room. How is this done? I own the
>house, and am pretty good with electrical. I am hoping to replace a
>wall switch with a type that will recieve a signal from the car and
>activate. Is there something like this available? Could you please
>reccomend a name and a link?
>
>Thanks for any advice
>Pat

Homelink has added a "Universal Receiver" with switch contact outputs so it
can be adapted to operate almost any type of light.

I do not know whether it is available in a 120V version.

http://www.eurohomelink.com/_uk/download/Universal_english.pdf

http://davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

komobu

24-12-2006, 05:19 AM

Dave...

Very observant...I am in Korea. But only for two more weeks. Then I am
moving back to Virginia. I am hoping to buy just a wall switch. But
after looking at the Insteon set ups, I am really considering going
further. It would be great to initially purchase just a wall switch and
have the car be able to control it. The straight line distance from the
car to the switch would be less than 20 feet.

Take Care and have a nice Christmas
Pat

>
> The original post came from Korea.
>
> There are, as yet, no Insteon RF remotes. Insteon RF is FSK and while the
> Homelink unit in the car can learn and playback different frequencies, I'm
> not sure it can handle FSK.
>

>
> http://davehouston.net
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
> roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Dave Houston

24-12-2006, 07:43 AM

"komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote:

>Dave...
>
>Very observant...I am in Korea. But only for two more weeks. Then I am
>moving back to Virginia. I am hoping to buy just a wall switch. But
>after looking at the Insteon set ups, I am really considering going
>further. It would be great to initially purchase just a wall switch and
>have the car be able to control it. The straight line distance from the
>car to the switch would be less than 20 feet.

There are more and more posts to c.h.a. from around the world so, when it's
not clear, I check where the message was posted (which doesn't work with
anonymizers).

You cannot use your Homelink with Insteon. As I noted, there are no Insteon
RF remotes as yet and I'm not sure Homelink can handle whether Homelink can
handle the 902-924MHz FSK used by Insteon.

If you want just an RF operated switch, the only one I'm aware of for the US
that will definitely work with Homelink is from GE Smarthome...

http://www.geconsumerproducts.com/smarthome/prod_1_1.htm

Scroll to the bottom of the page. You can buy these at Circuit City, Lowes,
etc. They use ASK modulation at 319.9MHz which Homelink can definitely
handle.

Don't believe the 150' operational range. Indoors, through walls, etc.
25-30' will likely be tops for reliable operation. Anyway, it's the range of
the Homelink transmitter in the car that will determine whether it will
work, not the range of the GE remote. 20' from the car might be a bit "iffy"
depending on what's in the path but you're not risking much as the GE
Smarthome line is very inexpensive. It's also pretty much dead-end as far
as "going further".

You can get an Insteon switch, configure it for X-10, and add an X-10 RF
transceiver in the garage to receive the RF and then send X-10 over the
powerlines to the switch. You would also need an X-10 remote in order to
train your Homelink transmitter. This could be a step towards "going
further".

http://davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

komobu

24-12-2006, 07:43 AM

Dave,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I just started checking into this
home automation thing and am getting pretty interested. I like the idea
of a switch by the garage that lets me turn off all lights. Do they
have anything that will allow me to turn off the stove(Or prompt me
that it is on)? On more than one occasion my wife has asked me to turn
around to insure it was off! The insteon system looks pretty easy to
install. It would be convenient to be able to control lights from the
master bedroom and the main entryway. Could you describe in more detail
what I would need to configure the insteon switch for X-10? As for the
X-10 RF transeiver, is it difficult to set up and have it talk to the
Insteon system? How much do they cost and could you reccomend a
speciffic item?

Thanks Again and Merry Christmas
>
> You cannot use your Homelink with Insteon. As I noted, there are no Insteon
> RF remotes as yet and I'm not sure Homelink can handle whether Homelink can
> handle the 902-924MHz FSK used by Insteon.
>
> If you want just an RF operated switch, the only one I'm aware of for the US
> that will definitely work with Homelink is from GE Smarthome...
>
> http://www.geconsumerproducts.com/smarthome/prod_1_1.htm
>
> Scroll to the bottom of the page. You can buy these at Circuit City, Lowes,
> etc. They use ASK modulation at 319.9MHz which Homelink can definitely
> handle.
>
> Don't believe the 150' operational range. Indoors, through walls, etc.
> 25-30' will likely be tops for reliable operation. Anyway, it's the range of
> the Homelink transmitter in the car that will determine whether it will
> work, not the range of the GE remote. 20' from the car might be a bit "iffy"
> depending on what's in the path but you're not risking much as the GE
> Smarthome line is very inexpensive. It's also pretty much dead-end as far
> as "going further".
>
> You can get an Insteon switch, configure it for X-10, and add an X-10 RF
> transceiver in the garage to receive the RF and then send X-10 over the
> powerlines to the switch. You would also need an X-10 remote in order to
> train your Homelink transmitter. This could be a step towards "going
> further".
>
> http://davehouston.net
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
> roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Robert L Bass

24-12-2006, 10:22 AM

> Very observant...I am in Korea. But
> only for two more weeks. Then I am
> moving back to Virginia. I am hoping
> to buy just a wall switch. But after
> looking at the Insteon set ups, I am
> really considering going further...

Be careful. The manufacturer has a long
history of shipping defective equipment,
using customers as unwitting "beta testers",
etc. Sopme sage poster once commented
that they never sell low quality equipment
unless it has their name on it.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-866-1100
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>

Edwin Pawlowski

24-12-2006, 10:22 AM

"komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166904929.681464.103160@a3g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...
> Dave,
>
> Thanks for taking the time to reply. I just started checking into this
> home automation thing and am getting pretty interested. I like the idea
> of a switch by the garage that lets me turn off all lights. Do they
> have anything that will allow me to turn off the stove(Or prompt me
> that it is on)? On more than one occasion my wife has asked me to turn
> around to insure it was off! The insteon system looks pretty easy to
> install. It would be convenient to be able to control lights from the
> master bedroom and the main entryway. Could you describe in more detail
> what I would need to configure the insteon switch for X-10? As for the
> X-10 RF transeiver, is it difficult to set up and have it talk to the
> Insteon system? How much do they cost and could you reccomend a
> speciffic item?

Near as I can tell, the Insteon is just another X-10 system. X-10 is a
protocol used by many similar systems that control different functions over
the house wiring. The first one I ever got came from DAK years ago, then I
got a controller from Radio Shack, a couple of manual controllers from BSR.
Setup is simple. Each module, either a build in switch or receptacle or one
that just plugs in, has a settable code. Your house may all be "A" or "B"
or whatever you want, then you select the number of that module. Just turn
the dial on it to the code you want, then any controller can work it.

I have one control with the timer to turn certain lights on and off. Others
I just use manually. Hear a noise in the back yard? I just reach over, hit
a button, and all the controlled lights come on. Nothing around? Hit one
button and they all go off.

If you want to get fancy, you can have an A and a B circuit and A and B
controllers.. Or any other combination you want. Or you can control it all
from your computer if you install the software and interface.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

Dave Houston

24-12-2006, 10:22 AM

"komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote:

>Dave,
>
>Thanks for taking the time to reply. I just started checking into this
>home automation thing and am getting pretty interested. I like the idea
>of a switch by the garage that lets me turn off all lights. Do they
>have anything that will allow me to turn off the stove(Or prompt me
>that it is on)? On more than one occasion my wife has asked me to turn
>around to insure it was off! The insteon system looks pretty easy to
>install. It would be convenient to be able to control lights from the
>master bedroom and the main entryway. Could you describe in more detail
>what I would need to configure the insteon switch for X-10? As for the
>X-10 RF transeiver, is it difficult to set up and have it talk to the
>Insteon system? How much do they cost and could you reccomend a
>speciffic item?

I don't know of a way to shut-off the stove short of plugging it into a 220V
appliance module (if anyone makes one with a high enough rating) and I think
that might cause more headaches than it cures. There are ways to detect that
it's on but they are not "beginner level" and involve some DIY methods. You
need to learn to crawl first. ;)

The X-10 transceiver setup consists of plugging it in after turning a code
wheel to set a "housecode" to match the remote. There are 3-4 X-10 capable
transceivers and numerous remotes but this will fit your need for both.

http://www.smarthome.com/4003.html

Configuring the Insteon wall switch for X-10 involves pushing a button or
holding the toggle in one position for a brief period to put it program
mode. Then you just send it an X-10 command which you can do with the
remote/transceiver combo. There are several Insteon switch styles so I'll
let you choose.

http://www.smarthome.com/prodindex.asp?catid=101

There may be problems in getting the transceiver to talk to the switch if
they are on different phases of your wiring or if you have any devices that
create noise that can interfere with both X-10 and Insteon or that sink X-10
and Insteon signals but this is getting a bit deep for a beginner. Read some
of the articles on my web page if you want to dig deeper.

Insteon-specific questions are probably best directed to the Insteon forum.

http://www.techmall.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9

http://davehouston.net
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/roZetta/
roZetta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Robert L Bass

24-12-2006, 10:22 AM

> Do they have anything that will allow
> me to turn off the stove(Or prompt
> me that it is on)? On more than one
> occasion my wife has asked me to
> turn around to insure it was off!...

Most modern stoves have timers and microprocessor controllers which are best left on all the time. I'd hesitate to use an on/off
switch for the stove's power but if you must, consider locating the breaker panel in the garage. The electric range is almost
invariably on a dedicated 220VAC breaker.

There are inexpensive current sensors which can be set up to detect when the stove is on and light an LED or whatever. If you
installed an HA system like ELK M1G or HAI Omni you could connect such to one of the zones and have the system warn you any time you
try to arm the security in the "Away" mode if the stove is on. You could even get a voice prompt over a small speaker in the
garage -- "Warning! Oven is on!" -- if you open the garage door with the range going.

> The insteon system looks pretty easy to
> install...

See warning in prior post regarding Insteon. There have been numerous threads in this and other forums discussing problems with
Insteon. You may want to look around a bit more before settling on it as you medium.

> Thanks Again and Merry Christmas

Same to you. What part of Virginia are you going to?

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-866-1100
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>

Robert L Bass

24-12-2006, 10:22 AM

> There are ways to detect that
> it's on but they are not "beginner
> level" and involve some DIY
> methods. You need to learn to
> crawl first.

Actually, current detection is a relatively simple matter. There are ready made products on the market that can be connected to a
simple LED or a home automation system. Follwoing is an example though there are less expensive versions available elsewhere.
http://xtronics.com/current.htm

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-866-1100
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>

Mark

24-12-2006, 02:52 PM

Didn't bother reading all the replies to this, but did anyone suggests
checking the Homelink website?

http://www.homelink.com/home/home.tml

Seems a reasonable place to start...

"komobu" <curranpg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166832726.419877.181600@f1g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>> If you want it to control lights and
>> other things in your house, you need to purchase receiver modules
>> designed
>> to receive the signal and switch whatever circuit you want to control.
>
> Thanks...I figured as much...but I need to know what it is called so I
> know what to ask for. Is the reciever and the lightswitch one item, or
> is it two separate things? Please provide a link if you know of one so
> I can look at it or give me an idea what to google.
>
> Thanks and have a nice Christmas
> Pat
>