If you have been online for a long time, between 2000 and 2004 roughly, X-10 ads were ALL over websites all over the internet (and maybe other nets too, I wouldn't doubt if they went as far as to advertise of fish nets, or even butterfly nets, poor butterflies…), so you may have at least seen the name before.
X-10 is a very easy to use "plug & play" technology that allows you to remotely control just about anything. I will start out with some simple uses of the technology here, and over time, keep adding to it with more and more examples of how to use X-10 to control a haunt.
Using X-10 will allow you to completely manually control your haunt. Sure, you could automate everything using sensors and microcontrollers (you can use X-10 to turn those on and off too as needed…), using X-10 bring the control and timing back to you. If there is a ToT'er standing over a grave popper, the last thing you want is an automated sensor triggering the prop, and injuring the ToT'er, because 60 PSI just fired a 14" stroke cylinder with a 10lb. payload on it into their tiny skull. While the aftermath of that may add "realism" to your haunt with a fresh corpse, it is not recommended.
X-10 sends signals over connected wiring that relay to modules, which in turn follow the commands given, usually just an "ON" or "OFF" command in the case of appliance and other modules. X-10 in it's usual day to day usage, is for home automation. Turning lights and appliances on and off, closing mechanical shades at dusk, turning on the coffee maker at 7am, and so on, you get the idea.
The Basics Needed for Haunting… Here are some of the basics needed to get started controlling your haunt with X-10.
Transceiver Module The Transceiver module is the "backbone" of X-10, which has an Radio Frequency (RF) receiver in it, to accept commands remotely from a remote Radio Frequency device (RF), such as a palm-pad remote (below), or other control units, and then sends that X-10 command over the circuit or connected circuits which the transceiver is plugged in, to other modules. It also has a built-in appliance module, so you can use this to control something as well. The transceiver unit only functions on one channel at a time. So, you can have multiple X-10 transciever modules to control multiple channels, or house codes as they are called. Each channel has 16 sub-channels, also known as units.
Palm-Pad Remote Control The Palm-Pad Remote control, used in conjunction with the Transceiver module (above), allows you to control up to 16 modules per channel. There are 8 channels (A-H), and 16 sub-channels (1-16) per channel. Effectively allowing you to control up to 128 modules from the palm of your hand. However, switching between channels can be somewhat of a task, as you need a screwdriver, or a tough finger nail, to turn to each channel, you are better off getting more remotes if needed. If you need to control more than 8 modules at a time, then you can easily flip the gray switch at the bottom of the remote to the last 8 channels (9-16).
The remote sends "ON" and "OFF" signals to your modules, via RF (radio frequency), to the Transceiver module, which then sends the commands over the wires on that circuit or connected circuits to the module(s) which you have specified to send the command to.
I will be using this control to control several props in my haunt this year, mostly pneumatic props connected to solenoids, so I can fire them as needed.
Appliance Module(s) Appliance modules are what you send commands to, such as "ON" or "OFF". Sending an "ON" command to an appliance module, will, you guessed it, close the circuit inside the module, feeding power to whatever is plugged into it. When sent an "OFF" command, (its default state), it opens the circuit back off, cutting the power to whatever is plugged into it. This is a VERY useful thing. I will be using several in my haunt to control solenoids which will activate pneumatic cylinders. Once I get those pages up, I will add links from here into those projects.
Other X-10 devices… There are many additional X-10 controllers, modules, and devices, and that once you whet your lips on X-10 in it's basic form using the above 3 items, you may not stop. It is a really cool technology that allows you to easily and affordably automate and control just about anything. MANY eons ago, I used to have a web enabled light-up beer sign. People could visit a web page (it was open to the public), and they could via that web page, turn the sign on and off, and view a webcam of the "action". Well, not really much action there, but a cool internet side-show nonetheless. I'm a geek, what can I say?
eBay - search for "X-10", or, a specific X-10 item you are looking for, you are bound to find many great deals. It's the only way I buy mine anymore.
X10.com - the original site, and manufacturer of X-10 products. The site is highly annoying, but, you can get a peek at all the X-10 devices that are available.
