ISY-26 & X10

[aLf]

I've been operating the 26 for a couple years with Insteon only. I recently upgraded that home to a 99 (best investment since buying the 26). The 99 home is strictly Insteon and I have a great grasp on its use. The old 26 will become the master of my second home, which is currently 100% X-10 (SH 2300 series switches). Not having done any X10 with the ISY. What do I need to get the "rotten" signals to be seen on ISY? I eventually I will add (or maybe replace) to all Insteon, but in the meantime I'd like to get the X10 stuff on board and get rid of the 2414U.

 

Do I need Accesspoints?

 

How about a signal bridge across the two phases?

 

Any other "repeater" type modules?

 

Any info would be appreciated. I know that I should just part with the $ and go over to Insteon, but I'd rather preserve the $ right now.

 

Thanks,

 

aLf

[MikeB]

I'm no X10 expert, but I'll answer what I do know. Are X10 communicatiosn reliable in your home now?

 

- AccessPoints will not help you at all - they do not repeat X10 signals

- couplers are typically required with X10 and Insteon - do you have one now?

[aLf]

No Access Points now. But If I even add (1) Insteon it will be needed?

 

No signal bridge now. Always been iffy, but then it's X10!

 

aLf

[MikeB]

AccessPoints are required for Insteon RF devices, and/or for Insteon devices to communicate with eachother between different power legs in your home.

 

If you're looking to couple both X10 AND Insteon, and don't mind hardwiring a coupler, maybe something like this might be better:

 

http://www.smarthome.com/2406H/SignaLin ... red/p.aspx

 

Then you could add an AcessPoint, if needed, for JUST RF devices.

[IndyMike]

Alf,

 

If I understand correctly, your second home currently has X10 installed with no couplers or repeaters and it functions OK. If that is the case, you either have all of your X10 units on the same phase or you have a good couple through your transformer (rare but it happens). In this instance you should be able to simply install the ISY-99/PLM (I prefer installation at the panel) and go.

 

If you do run into signal problems down the road, a coupler installed at the panel will help. Here's a link to coupler information that Jeff Volp put together: Passive Couplers. The passive coupler is compatible with Insteon and will help with these signals as well even though it's not perfectly "tuned" to the Insteon 130Khz (I use one in my panel).

 

Since you are planning on adding Insteon down the road, you may find that your signals degrade as your Insteon installation grows. Since each Insteon unit is a 2-way (receiver/transmitter) they also absorb communication. Insteon gets around this by having each unit repeat the Insteon transmission thereby "re-boosting" the level. Unfortunately, they do not boost X10 transmissions.

 

I'm not sure if the 2300 series X10 units are transmit/receive units. If they are, and you perform a 1:1 swap with Insteon, you're unlikely to see any additional loading.

 

If loading does become a problem, you can replace the passive coupler with an active repeater. Jeff Volp makes a XTB-IIR which can pound out really impressive X10 levels. From what I've seen, it's the best device out there for X10 Amplification:

XTB-IIR

Again, this device is Insteon compatible.

 

I would not recommend a BoosterLinc (even the Insteon Blessed version). I've had a few and they work well enough for X10 but get confused and destroy Insteon communication.

 

Take it slow,

IM

[aLf]

Mike(s):

 

Thanks. I'm now re-living the whole reason why I converted the bigger home over to Insteon! The X-10 stuff is really old. At the time they were all we had, but today, I guess I'll just have to help stimulate the economy, eventually. I appreciate your inputs and will indeed go slow. Good news is that the condo does not need near the technology that the lake home does with all its landscape and decorative lighting there. I guess all told I'll need 8-10 SL's and a couple KPL's, AP's and I'll be up.

 

Regards,

 

aLf