x10 light switches [Archive]

howies

27-11-2003, 2:16 PM

i want some x10 light switches that look nice not those blocky white things. but that is all i can seem to find , does anybody know of any that look good.

simon1

28-11-2003, 11:45 AM

I remembered seeing the X10 light swiches (UK version) a while back, and wasn't keen on the looks.

Anyway, after extending my X10 system recently, I decided to order them and was pleasantly surprised. They're not as bad looking in real life (ie on the wall) as they seem from the pics on the net.

The reason for their bulk is because of the 'electronics' they need to contain, whilst having to remain fairly shallow round the back (the UK uses shallow back boxes for light switches).

Lights in the UK don't normally have a neutral wire available at the switch (unlike other countries), and so these switches were specially designed for us brits and only require the live connection.

JediJackass

13-12-2003, 9:27 AM

hey howies,
i have been trying for some while to get dimmable remote controlled lights for some time. one place is here http://www.lights-camera-action.co.uk/lighting.html
but that has to be hard wired into the wall but is still pretty good. the other option is here
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5324&CATID=&keywords=dimmer&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=xxxxxxxxxx&Keyword2=xxxxxxxxxx&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=
but this is a kit and obviously reqires some building, but is an awsome kit and can be controlled from any remote, it also looks the best. :)

jsmurray

27-12-2003, 11:23 AM

I have an LW10U standard dimmer from letsautomate, but I cannot control it with my ir7243. Any ideas?
It doesn't respond to any commands.
FYI, it IS set to the same housecode and a unique device number.

Could it be due to my fuse box? This is a new house, so the sockets and lighting uses different circuits AFAIK.

simon1

28-12-2003, 6:12 AM

It shouldn't matter about lighting and sockets being on different circuits (mine are), it should still work.

Do you have any other means of controlling the switch (ie RF remote), to check its not the IR7243 at fault?

I had a bit of a problem with my IR7243 at first - its worth trying out different posistions and different sockets for it to be plugged into.

Doublespresso

02-01-2004, 5:57 AM

Try these:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Wiring_Accessories~Dimmers_All/Wiring_Accessories~Dimmers_5/index.html

They look great and you can teach them to work on any button of your existing R/C.. + they are very good value!!

Doublespresso

alan8477

02-01-2004, 10:41 AM

They are very good value, but mine packed up after 3 months.

jsmurray

16-01-2004, 5:17 PM

Well I took my LW10U dimmer off the wall and cabled it up to a mains socket with a light bulb connected. The X10 controls work fine this way. The problem must be the RCD circuit.
All the mains is RCD protected, but the lighting is not.

Looks like I can't have X10 lights after all.

simon1

16-01-2004, 9:26 PM

Originally posted by jsmurray

All the mains is RCD protected, but the lighting is not.

Looks like I can't have X10 lights after all.

My house is the same - mains circuits are RCD protected/Lights not. But no Problems.

May be worth trying another LW10.

NB You didn't have the LW10 screwed to the wall too tight? - as this can jam the microswitches inside the unit.

Andrew_arkless

21-01-2004, 9:14 AM

I agree with alan8477 about the switches from TLC-direct, I'm onto my 3rd set of these as they die very quick! so would not recommend them. Alan - did you get them replaced ? the manufactures have always replaced mine no problem, i've got their details if you need them.

milanlad

21-01-2004, 10:27 AM

What about when you needs a two gang light switch, in a single standard package, in the X-10 type? I have not seen any that come in this format..

Any thoughts?

ailean

21-01-2004, 3:34 PM

I've gone for the TLC type one because basicly it's the only two gang dimmer I can find. At least they do fix stuff under warrenty. ;)

After much searching I did spot some X10 multi-gang dimmers but they were an american company that didn't appear to do any 240v stuff. :(

alan8477

21-01-2004, 5:54 PM

Originally posted by Andrew_arkless
I agree with alan8477 about the switches from TLC-direct, I'm onto my 3rd set of these as they die very quick! so would not recommend them. Alan - did you get them replaced ? the manufactures have always replaced mine no problem, i've got their details if you need them.

Unfortunately Andrew, I couldn't find my receipt.