X10 Home Automation

[Russianboyx1x]

I've had x10 setup running for a few years now where I used a 3rd party x10 server app running on an ancient Windows laptop that was on 24/7 and had a fan that sounded like the whole thing is about to take off. Since I got the Raspberry Pi I figured I might as well try to use that instead since it consumes very little power and is silent.

I am a Linux n00b so I had to do a lot of research to try and figure out what I need to make it work on the Pi. My only requirement was that it had to be free. Here are the results of my research and hope it helps someone out there who is looking to do something similar. If I over complicated something that can be simplified let me know so I can modify my setup as well.

I wrote the client and the server but all other software is open source and I provided links to the respective owners.

http://yuriybelenitsky.blogspot.com/201 ... ry-pi.html

[scruss]

Nice work. I'm currently controlling a very simple domestic light timer system with a Raspberry Pi, an X10 CM11 powerline interface, heyu, sunwait, and cron. Due to the joys (or otherwise ) of the North American split-phase domestic power system, I think I'll go to a wireless-based system using a CM19a like you did.

[smanzer]

Way to go guys!

I am on the same path, coming from a MicroChip HA to a Pi. I just got the Pi last night, and have read Yuriy's blog and downloaded the software.

Scruss, you mention that you had a CM11 powerline interface, running which I have as well. Can you give me an idea where the drivers are and how to use it?

The trouble with X10 jumping phases can be fixed by installing a bridge or a small capacity across the phases. You can get the bridge on eBay, the cap, I got off one of the surplus electronic places. I will look up the value tonight.

Thanks for the help1

Steve

[scruss]

Scruss, you mention that you had a CM11 powerline interface, running which I have as well. Can you give me an idea where the drivers are and how to use it?

Yep. I'm using a basic PL2303 Serial-USB adaptor. An FTDI-based one might be more reliable, but I've done the dwc_otg.speed=1 thing in my /boot/config.txt, and it's okay. I built heyu from source, and you call it from the command line to switch a device like this:

Code: Select all

heyu on H9

There's more here on my blog: X10 home automation with Raspberry Pi: heyu.

(Incidentally, heyu also supports the CM17A Firecracker Serial RF device. I'm more likely to go to RF, as it's quicker than powerline, covers my whole house, and I've managed to score far too many RR501 RF controllers for $4 a pop ...)

The trouble with X10 jumping phases can be fixed by installing a bridge or a small capacity across the phases. You can get the bridge on eBay, the cap, I got off one of the surplus electronic places. I will look up the value tonight.

Thanks, Steve, but bridging phases with a capacitor is against electrical code here.