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X-10 for low voltage landscape lighting

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Joe Prokott

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Jul 22, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/22/98
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Has anyone used an X-10 photocell (I have a Leviton one) to turn on/off
standard low voltage landscape lights? I am looking at either a 200 or
300 watt transformer for the lights and I want to be able to use my X-10
photocell in conjunction with an X-10 receptacle for the light
transformer to turn on/off these low voltage lights as dictated by my
photocell. In theory this should work fine. I am just looking for
someone who has actually implemented this and can confirm its
functionality? We are considering using the Malibu landscape lights, if
anyone can comment on these specific lights? Thanks,

Joe Prokott
pro...@pconline.com


Walt

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Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
to Joe Prokott
Well, I used a different photocell, and I used a Universal Module
to switch on/off various low voltage light strings. Basically,
I have just one transformer which is always plugged in and 'on'.
I use the Universal Modules to switch on/off a particular string
as per requirement. My landscaping lights go 'on' at dusk and
off at 11pm. My sidewalk lights go 'on' when motion is detected
and 'off' 10 minutes after it stops. Etc....

Yea, my lights are Malibu. :)

Gary L English

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Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
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This is what I plan to do, whenever I get around to installing my Malibu
lights:

- Hook everything up as normal, with the transformer/timer being located
inside
my garage
- Set the transformer/timer so it is always on (i.e., timer disabled by
pulling out
all the little 'on/off' tabs)
- Plug the transformer into an X-10 appliance module and control with my
CM11A ActiveHome setup
- Program that module through the ActiveHome software to come on at dusk
and go off at dawn or whenever

Gary English
geng...@iquest.net

DKSchley

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Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
to
Joe Prokett wrote:

>>Has anyone used an X-10 photocell (I have a Leviton one) to turn on/off
standard low voltage landscape lights? I am looking at either a 200 or 300
watt transformer for the lights and I want to be able to use my X-10 photocell
in conjunction with an X-10 receptacle for the light transformer to turn on/off
these low voltage lights as dictated by my photocell. In theory this should
work fine. I am just looking for someone who has actually implemented this and
can confirm its functionality? We are considering using the Malibu landscape
lights, if anyone can comment on these specific lights?
Thanks,<<

I have numerous strings of 12V yard lights and a total of 4 Toro power packs
each of which has a photo cell. It was my desire to have the lights come at
dusk and go off at a chosen time (like 11 pm). I plugged my power packs into
X-10 controlled recepticles and then programmed the power to come on a little
earlier than any possible dusk (like 4:30 pm). So in my case the power is
available from 4:30 pm to 11 pm., but the lights turn on at dusk and turn off
at 11pm. This system has been working flawlessly for over 5 years.

A thought for today:

"Diplomacy is saying "nice doggy" until you find a rock."

Bill Horwath

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Jul 23, 1998, 3:00:00 AM7/23/98
to
Joe...

I'm working on the exact same project. I plan to remove the timer from a
typical
low voltage light outside powerbox, and simply install an appliance module
into
the same box. I live in the Chicago area, so the box will have to be
sealed somewhat, to protect the module from the cold. I will be using a
magnavox photocell to turn on the lights at dusk. This unit has a pushbutton

which sets the "off" time. After the initial set-up, the lights will come on
at
dusk, and go off at 1am(or whatever).
No more messing with the timers during the year.

I have not completed an installation yet, but it should work. I plan to
design
it so the module plugs in, and the transformer plugs into it, allowing
faulty
modules to be replaced easily.

good luck

bill


Joe Prokott wrote:

> Has anyone used an X-10 photocell (I have a Leviton one) to turn on/off
> standard low voltage landscape lights? I am looking at either a 200 or
> 300 watt transformer for the lights and I want to be able to use my X-10
> photocell in conjunction with an X-10 receptacle for the light
> transformer to turn on/off these low voltage lights as dictated by my
> photocell. In theory this should work fine. I am just looking for
> someone who has actually implemented this and can confirm its
> functionality? We are considering using the Malibu landscape lights, if
> anyone can comment on these specific lights? Thanks,
>

> Joe Prokott
> pro...@pconline.com


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