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| EMagazine Volume 5 Issue 2 April / May 2000 |
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UK - Wireless X10
Transceiver Module (TM12) This unit allows the retro-fit convenience that you know and love from X10 to be extended to places that don't have mains wiring. For example, place an eternal PIR at your gate and have a chime module sound inside when someone is entering your property. The TM12 opens up a whole new world of possibilities! |
Mark McCall is a home
automation enthusiast and Webmaster of AutomatedHome.co.uk |
The
TM12U transceiver module operates on the new UK supported frequency of 433Mhz
and acts as the receiver to a range of wireless transmitters. These include...
o Keyfob
o Stick-on Wall
Switch
o Hawkeye
o External PIR
The module receives the wireless RF commands and
transmits them as X10 signals over the mains.
The unit has a metal telescopic aerial mounted on the side which extends to
around 20cms above the top of the unit. The range of operation depends on the
transmitter. As a guide around 10 metres through walls with the keyfob.
The TM12U allows the use of all 16 unit codes on any 1 house code. You can of
course choose your house code as usual by setting the dial. The unit also
doubles as an appliance module which can be controlled locally via the on/off
switch on the front. However, the module's address MUST be unit code 1 on the
house code you have chosen (e.g. if you set the unit to "M" then M1
will be the address of the built in appliance module. In practice this is a bit
annoying. Before receiving the unit I had my macros programmed into HomeVision.
"M1" is mapped to another module address but every time I send an
"M1 ON" from the keyfob as well as getting the desired result I also
get the dreaded relay "Click". I have my unit placed in the hallway
(to be as central as possible) and the noise is heard over a wide area (I think
it's even louder than a normal appliance module). It would be nice to have the
option of disabling the internal appliance module to avoid this.
While testing the TM12 I came across a strange
problem. As mentioned already I use HomeVision to map the housecode
"M" (for macro) to various other codes around the house. This means
that my 3 1/2 year old daughter (who can't reach the any of the light switches)
is able to control her bedroom lights plus the bathroom lights from a keyfob
remote. The simple macro in HomeVision receives (for example) an "M1
ON" and then sent out a "B8 ON". When I was setting this up first
I sent the command from the keyfob I noticed the X10 send and receive lights on
the front of HomeVision were constantly flickering. On closer inspection it
transpired that the "M1 ON" command was continually being resent by
the TM12. To cut a long story short I found the answer after posting to the
HomeVision mailing list. Turns out the TM12 was seeing the "B8
ON" that HV sent out as a collision to its "M1 ON" and so
resending it. As it resent the "M1 ON" HV of course sent out another
"B8 ON" which was seen as another collision and so on... The fix is to
insert a pause into the HV macro before it sends the "B8 ON".
Seemingly 0.02 second pause is the shortest that works reliably.
This unit allows the retro-fit convenience that you know and love from X10 to be
extended to places that don't have mains wiring. For example, place an eternal
PIR at your gate and have a chime module sound inside when someone is entering
your property.
The TM12 opens up a whole new world of possibilities!
Approximate Price - £47.00
