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[on:]

Greetings,

I am thinking of replacing an old X10 system with an arduino controlled architecture.
The application is controlling the overhead lights for an ice show that runs once a year. The original system was built by many good hearts using individual X10 controllers and all the problems associated with this protocol had to be worked out one by one.
So the goal is turnoing on/off realys witout pulling cables.
What is the  best way to go ?
XBees with a router and 5 or 6 nodes ? Webbase application with roving network cards ? (the ice rink has an public open wireless network).
Any suggestion will be appreciated. Thank you.

cheers,
MaLi

[Reply #1 on:]

XBees are quite reliable, and XBee Pros probably have adequate range for an ice rink.
If there is an open wireless network, I think I might steer away from using that, as
there's liable to be other traffic on it.

However, if you go with an XBee shield, then you can try both XBee Pros and RN-XVs,
and see what works best.

[Reply #2 on:]

Thank you Dan. I did a bit of research and I am inclined for a XBees in API mode. I plan to have a Mega + XBee for the master and about 5 XBees as slaves using their digital outputs to command relay boards.
Do you think I need to get the Pro ? Pro covers 1 mile and the 2mW cover 400 ft. An ice rink is like 200 X 85 ft.

cheers,
MaLi