|
|
| CONTACT
X10 800-675-3044 |
  |
|
|
| CONTACT
X10 800-675-3044 |
|
| Add dimming control to a Keychain Remote: Tom Gerace Bedside on/off and dimming control of a lamp or overhead light can be accomplished using an inexpensive keychain remote accessing macros programmed in the X10 ActiveHome software and CM11A computer interface. While direct dimming is possible using more expensive X10 wireless remotes such as the RT504, this article shows that it's simple to provide single-light dimming with the 2-button X10 Keychain Remote. This is a great way to make use of that extra keychain remote sitting on the shelf! The X10 Keychain Remote (KC674) works with the X10 Wireless Base Transceiver (RR501) and the X10 Deluxe Base Transceiver (TM751). The Keychain Remote and the Deluxe Base Transceiver are usually sold as a package, and extra Keychain Remotes can be purchased separately. Lights can be controlled by an X10 Lamp Module (LM465), an X10 Wall Switch Module (WS467), or any module that provides dimming control. The Keychain Remote can be set to transmit unit codes 1 and 2 or 5 and 6 on a house code. In this article we'll use unit codes 1 and 2 on house code A. If you're using the Deluxe Base Transceiver you can choose to use unit codes 5 and 6. THE SETUP: Set the Keychain Remote to the same house code as your Base Transceiver (we'll use house code A). Set the Lamp Module or the Wall Switch Module to house code A and unit code 1. With this setup, button 1 on the Keychain Remote will control ON and OFF for your light at A1. The next step is to program dimming on button 2 of the remote. We'll use two ActiveHome macros to accomplish dimming and brightening on device A2, which corresponds to button 2 of the Keychain Remote. The macros will be programmed so that when you press button 2 OFF on the remote, the controlled light will dim, and when you press button 2 ON, the controlled light will brighten (ON to brighten and OFF to dim is a logical way to remember how the button works). These macros will "point to" and control the real X10 module at device A1. I prefer to use Fast Macros because they are stored in the CM11A interface and I do not leave the computer on all the time. Set up device A1 (your lamp or wall switch module) in the ActiveHome software and you're ready to go. THE MACROS: For the dimming control, create a macro A2 and set it to respond to the OFF condition. We'll call this macro "A2-OFF". Drag the module A1 onto the A2-OFF macro to associate it with the new macro. Click the Absolute/Relative dimming control (the yellow box next to the dimmer slider) so that it has a yellow dot. This sets relative dimming, so that the interface will dim the light from its present brightness level, as opposed to first brightening the lamp to 100% and then dimming. The dim percent box will read "-100%". Click the up arrow above the dim percent box several times until the number in the percent box reads "-40%". For brightening control, create a macro A2 and set it to respond to the ON condition. We'll call this macro "A2-ON". Drag the module A1 onto the A2-ON macro to associate it with the new macro. Click the Absolute/Relative dimming control so that it has a yellow dot. The dim percent box will read "0%". Click the up arrow above the dim percent box until the number in the box is yellow and reads "40%". You can choose other dim and brighten percentages to suit your needs. A setting of 40% allows for 2-step dimming; 20% will give you 4-step dimming. Name your macros and save them and you're all set. Part Needed: |
. Order Online or Call Toll Free Open 24/7 1-800-675-3044 |
| Home Page ..|. Products | .X10 Community .|..View Cart..| Product
Catalog . Customer Support .|.. About X10.|. What's New |
| . ...... ...... *Prices and Special Free Shipping for orders over $49.99 Offer (UPS Ground) are valid ONLY in the United States of America. Orders to Canada have a $10 Shipping and Handling Charge. Prices may change without notice. If you would like Express Shipping please call 1-800-675-3044. X10 reserves the right to discontinue the posted promotional offers at any time. X10 WorldWideWeb pages are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of X10. © 1998. For questions or comments regarding X10, listed products, or this Web Site please contact: webmaster@mail.x10.com |
