Arduino and X10 hardware Setup

Projects Discussion and Showcase Home Automation
1

Hello,

I'm currently trying to interface my arduino UNO with the CM17A Firecracker from X10. I can't seem to get it to work, so I have a few troubleshooting questions if anyone could help. Any information really would be helpful as I'm still newbish in this area.

Which end of the firecracker is the input? (Seems like a simple, dumb question. I know.) Is it the male or the female connector? I don't have a DB9 connector on any of my computers (also making troubleshooting quite difficult as I have to rely solely on the arduino interface). I believe the female connector is the input on the firecracker, but the serial port on my laptop is female which is confusing me. (FYI I've tried both ends, which leads me to the next question).

Are there any kind of resistors, ic's, caps, or the sort that need to be interfaced between the arduino and the firecracker? Or can it be plugged directly into the arduino?

Additionally what is the difference between zero crossing and ground? I know what ground is but is the zero crossing pin ground? I've seen conflicting ( or maybe not, depending on what zero crossing is) information.

What x10 components are needed to interface with the CM17A? X10's website says the TM751. I currently have that and a lamp module but plan on adding more devices such as appliances.

I appreciate any guidance on this and apologize in advance for my ignorance.

Thanks,
Becky

2

After some digging through the old boxes of electronics at work, I was able to find another Firecracker attached to a USB-DB9 Adapter. This answered a view questions.

The input is the female connector.

The Firecracker I was using previously did indeed work.

I also managed to plug it in to the arduino directly and have it work successfully sometimes, so no resistors or anything needed.

But it only worked occassionally. I noticed I had to "calibrate" the firecracker through the PC and then attach it to the arduino. However, it would work for a while and then randomly cut out. Has anybody else had this problem? Is there some sort of magic to it?

Please note I did read this thread and attempted the modification without success: http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,142594.0.html
Thanks

3

For the connection did you read this page?

Never heard of "calibrating" one.

John

4

My X10 home system worked great until I started using CCFL bulbs in the house. These lamps emit so much electrical noise that X10 in my home became unreliable enough to be useless.