Australia vs US - X10 Differences
Dave Graham
After starting to get hooked on X10 I thought I'd look into getting some
more modules, but the costs here in Australia are huge.
As an example an X10 Motion Sensor here in Australia costs $75 AUD, whereas
on X10.com the same unit retails for $30 AUD equivalent, and on ebay even
less. Even taking into account shipping, it would still work out cheaper to
source items from the US.
Apart from the electrical sockets being different does anyone know of any
other differences which would mean I couldn't use an X10 module from the US
in Australia. I'd be looking to get some motion sensors, remote keychains,
wireless wall switches, etc....basically anything which doens't plug into
the electrical system.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Dave
Robert L. Bass
As long as your system is 110V 60-cycle standard US made X10 should work.
However, it may not meet Oz code requirements. I assume you have some sort
of agency that is the equivalent of UL, no?
Regards,
Robert
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"Dave Graham" <graha...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3f65...@usenet.per.paradox.net.au...
Gypsy
With angled plugs
eg. / \
I
While the motion sensors (battery powered ones) stick on switches, and
keychain remotes should work fine I'd be a little hesitant of trying the
U.S. Switches and modules, and wired in detectors. (with the floodlights)
Unless of course you like smoke.
There are some websites that have 220v modifications for some of the plug in
modules but the modifications are not condoned for safety reasons ( may not
pass local electrical codes)
BTW remember that X10 puts the motion detectors on sale quite often, they
were 3 (active eye) for 25.00 only a week or so ago.
I'm not sure what the shipping would add if going to Australia
Gypsy
"Robert L. Bass" <rober...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:C_ydnU-tJ8Q...@giganews.com...
Robert L. Bass
Yup. I looked and the outlets are like this:
http://www.topline.tv/lang/electrical/AustralianSocket.jpg
Apparently it is 200-V 50-Cycles, too. Connecting standard X10 devices may
crack the internal vial, releasing the carefully packaged blue smoke and
briefly operating the built-in strobe. :^)
David
the American style Wireless devices eg motion sensors, stick a switch etc. A
little bit of thought needs to be put in but you will get great results at
low prices. If you have any trouble sourcing the devices from overseas or
want some more advice contact me offlist.
Cheers
"Just Another Joe" <add...@sig.end> wrote in message
news:5oqcmv0bjkgnn9mdv...@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 20:59:45 +1000, "Dave Graham"
<graha...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> <3f65...@usenet.per.paradox.net.au>:
those you
> mention, will operate in OZ exactly the same way as they do in North
America
> [they don't care which way is up :-)]. BUT, I believe (someone will
correct me
> if not), that the RF frequencies used by X10.com's equipment in N.A. are
> different than those used in other areas, so trying to match N.A.
transmitters
> to Australian receivers won't work. You could get N.A. receivers, and
modify
> them for your powerline, but they would no longer be certified.
>
> Additionally, x10.com U.S.A. doesn't ship outside of North America.
Perhaps
> you have a contact here who could ship the N.A. parts to you. Or, you
could
> check other N.A. supplies of X-10 components, some of whom may ship to OZ;
but
> they won't necessarily have the great 3-for-1 type specials that X10.com
often
> does. Finally, you could try X10 Europe <http://www.x10europe.com/>. I
don't
> know about their prices or specials. HTH.
>
> --
> Just Another Joe Why be politically correct, when you can be right?
> j...@shaw.ca.windows If you wish to reply by e-mail, remove .windows.
> That's 10 times I've explained binary to you. I won't tell you a 3rd
time!
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.516 / Virus Database: 313 - Release Date: 3/09/2003
Dave
modules...for that very reason.
But I couldn't see that the motion sensors and remotes would be any
different.
Richard Phillips
frequency to the stuff that's sold locally. That's because we get the
European version which had to be changed to meet regs over there. Anyhoo,
feel free to buy 'em off eBay etc as long as you understand that you can't
mix & match gear purchased here with US gear. In other words, if you get
some motion sensors, key fobs, etc, make sure you get a couple of remotes
with the MR26 ie the widget that plugs into the serial port of a pc to pick
up the signals.
Cheers
Richard
"Dave Graham" <graha...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3f65...@usenet.per.paradox.net.au...
Dave
Any advice on where to get them in Australia at the best prices then ?
Anand Dhuru
Here in India we have the same electrical system that you guys do, 230
volts, 50Hz.
When i started out with X10, I faced the same problems; then I found
this great site that explains how easy it is to modify *most* US
modules to work on 230 volts. I find that the frequency differential
(50/60Hz) poses no problem to the functionality, except for the CM11A
which uses the mains frequency to keep time.
So, if you are comfortable with a soldering iron, for a few cents
worth of components you could use most modules purchased in the US.
The site is http://www.geocities.com/ido_bartana/
As pointed out, the RF tranmitters (Palmpad, keychain, 6-in-1 etc.)
and receivers (RR501 / TM751)are different in the US (315 MHz) and
Europe (433 MHz). But, as long you use both procured from the same
country, there should be no problem. Again, Ido's site explains how to
convert the RR501 and TM751 to 230 volts usage.
Hope this helps! if you need any further information feel free to
write to me.
Regards,
Anand Dhuru
Richard Phillips
eon3.com.au - if you buy a fair amount from them you can get a discount.....
still not cheap, though. Biggest issue is the size of our market hence
smaller amount of stuff shipped over hence more expensive.... ah well....
it's still cheaper than the alternatives like the gear from Clipsal
(although an argument about reliability versus cost no doubt could be made).
And of course you *can* ship over the RF motion sensors etc as long as you
also get the MR26 from the US as well (eg
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3045348670&category=294
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3047513532&category=294 -
just examples, I haven't bought anything from this person by the way) and
make some savings - if they haven't been damaged in the mail!
Cheers
"Dave" <graha...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:12740de4.03091...@posting.google.com...
News
Its time for choosing X'mas Gift. Do you interesting in Chinese Products?
Do you want a special price for it? Come and select your favorable items!
www.angelfire.com/super2/weekendmarket
Cheers.
HK Weekend Market
Eric Lindsay's spam trap
>After starting to get hooked on X10 I thought I'd look into getting some
>more modules, but the costs here in Australia are huge.
If you think the cost differences are huge now, you should have
been around for the first two (failed) attempts to popularise X10
in Australia.
There was an outfit (Midac Technologies) in Pymble, Sydney over a
decade ago who sold a very limited range (about 3 modules). The
gadget I most liked from them was an X10 Home Control Module,
model CP290. 8 control buttons (House code A by default), and an
RS232 connection (via a 5 pin DIN socket).
As well, for a short while Tandy (Australia) were selling a
limited range of modules. I got a bunch at a discount (still two
or three times the USA retail price) when Tandy dropped the line
after about six months.
The devices were sold under a Plug 'n Power label, and the
boxes say they were custom nanufactured in Australia for Intertan
Australia
Back then there were two power socket devices available:
Appliance Switch 61-9651 (1250 watts or 5 amps max - sounds
like a relay)
Incandescent Dimmer 61-9652 500 watts or 2 amps. Silent. Seems
like a triac control.
There were also two devices for hard wired control, which under
Australian law must be installed by a licenced electrician:
Wall Switch Module 61-9653 Switch from the built in switch or
via X10 remotely. 15 amps. Was too large to actually fit in
most wall switch cavities.
Fluorescent Module 61-9654 Had a remote line, looked like a
ballast. Looked designed to fit inside an industrial fluorescent
batten. I don't believe Eon3 have fluorescent modules available,
so I built the few I had into boxes with multiple power outlets,
and use them to switch banks of up to 4 fluorescent lights.
The only controller from Tandy was a Maxi Controller 61-9650.
This had 16 switches, plus all units on or off and all lights on
or off. This was made in China, and has a X10 Powerhouse logo
on it. The sticker on it lists it as a CS883/S Plug-in
Controller.
I'm guessing these will be all compatible with the nice range of
Australian compatible X10 devices that Eon3 sell (some via Dick
Smith / Tandy). I'm very tempted to buy a bunch of the Eon3
range before they go out of the business and X10 once again
disappears from the Australian market. If I knew exactly which
of the new controllers would be most use (and which are fragile
enough to need multiple spares), I'd do just that.
>Apart from the electrical sockets being different does anyone know of any
>other differences which would mean I couldn't use an X10 module from the US
>in Australia. I'd be looking to get some motion sensors, remote keychains,
>wireless wall switches, etc....basically anything which doens't plug into
>the electrical system.
240 volts vs 110 volts, 50 HZ vs 60 Hz, and the sockets are
different. Really probably leaves only the wireless controllers
(but not the receivers) and motion sensors. However at least some
USA industrial frequencies are different (just like the cell
phone frequencies are different). I think I'm going to wait for
someone else to report on that working before attempting to
import.
--
Eric Lindsay http://www.ericlindsay.com/guff
Airlie Beach Qld Australia - Great Barrier Reef entry
Psion & Epoc site http://www.ericlindsay.com/epoc
