[ANSWERED]: X10 RR501 receives from MT522 but not 2413U

Posted on
Fri Dec 26, 2014 7:27 pm
kyphos offline
Posts: 54
Joined: Dec 17, 2014

[ANSWERED]: X10 RR501 receives from MT522 but not 2413U

I'm evaluating Indigo to replace an old X10 installation.
I have an RR501 Transceiver (which includes a relay-switched appliance module) and an X10 plug-in lamp module, both set to the same code (G1).
When my 20-year old X10 MT522 mini-timer sends on and off commands, both devices turn on and off.
Using Indigo and a new Insteon 2413U, only the lamp module works. The RR501 is non-responsive.
Both devices are on the same phase, and I have a phase coupler.

I've tried configuring the RR501 as various types of X10 devices listed in Indigo, but I'm not sure which to use. So far, none of the ones I've tried enable the RR501 to respond to X10 commands from Indigo.

A related question: the RR501 also functions as an RF receiver, receiving signals from mini-keypad remotes and then repeating them on to the power line to control X10 devices. Can Indigo and the 2413U receive these commands so they can be used as triggers?

Thanks for your help up this learning curve...

Posted on
Sat Dec 27, 2014 9:00 am
matt (support) offline
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Re: X10 RR501 receives signals from MT522 but not from Ind

See the answer I posted on the other thread.

And yes, Indigo can receive the RR501 power line commands and you can create X10 triggers for them. You should see the incoming commands logged in the Event Log. If you don't, then again try the RR501 in the same outlet as the 2413U.

Image

Posted on
Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:04 pm
kyphos offline
Posts: 54
Joined: Dec 17, 2014

Re: [ANSWERED]: X10 RR501 receives from MT522 but not 2413U

@Matt,
Thanks!

To any other newcomers who may come across this thread while learning about Indigo and its ability to interop with old X10 equipment:
- you don't need to add the RR501 transceiver or MT522 mini-timer as a Device in Indigo in order for it to receive X10 commands that they send out. Indigo (through the 2413U) listens for X10 commands that are put 'on the wire' by X10 controllers. These incoming X10 messages are received/decoded by Indigo and show up in the Event Log. This just happens - you do not have to configure the RR501 (or MT522) as an Indigo device. However, the RR501 only receives X10 codes corresponding to the house code set on its rotary switch. It ignores commands for other house codes, presumably to reduce the likelihood of interference from neighboring houses.
- you can create triggers in Indigo based on these X10 commands that are issued by X10 controllers. Such a trigger can then control any X10 or Insteon (or Zwave) device.
- since the RR501 can only receive RF commands from a single house code, all your X10 remotes, motion sensors and switchpads need to be set to the same house code. But Indigo can use these incoming signals as triggers to control X10 devices on other house codes.
- the RR501 transceiver also contains a controllable outlet switched by a relay. It's effectively an X10 appliance module. If you want to get Indigo to control it, add it as a device of type Appliance Module, either unit=1 or unit=9.

- after a lot of testing at my house (moving various pieces of kit to different outlets on different circuits), I've concluded:
    - the X10 transmitter in the 2413U is less powerful than that in the RR501 and MT522. The latter two controllers can successfully send X10 commands to various X10 devices that the 2413U cannot reliably reach.
    - the X10 receiver in the 2413U is less responsive to signals sent from the RR501/MT522 than the various X10 lamp modules that I have on hand. The 2413U will miss the occasional X10 command (it doesn't appear in the log) that a X10 lamp module will react to).

With judicious placement of my old X10 modules, I've been able to retain the past investment in X10 gear. I've started deployment some new Insteon devices, while continuing to use my RR501, X10 remotes and X10 motion sensors to control things as desired.

:arrow: Indigo 2023.1.1, macOS 10.13.6 (High Sierra), Mac mini5,1 (Intel Core i5), PowerLinc 2413U

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