Home Automation Control Interface

x10 home automation systems (and other brands such as Control4) can be easily interfaced with our RollerTrol™ motors (such as our new 'mini' on the left) to control windows, window blinds and shades, vents, skylights and any other item you would like to move with a motorized roller or actuator.

If you have at least a rudimentary knowledge of what a home automation system is, we'll show you how the ActiveHome Pro x10 system sends control signals over the AC power lines and directly throughout the home with radio signals. This home automation system is without a doubt the most cost effective approach in the marketplace.

The Software:

We have put together a kit that includes the x10 home automation software (switch setup screen shown on right), which allows you to use your PC to control motors for blinds and shades (and anything else).

In this article we'll show you how to use x10 control signals to raise and lower your blinds and shades (or open and close windows, or move anything else you can think of).

You can easily set up various different control scenarios such as these:

• timed operation (shown at right)
• motion detection triggers
• hand held remote controls
• smartphone remote control
• wall mounted touch switches
• lighting condition triggers

You are also not limited to using it just for blinds or shades - you can control lighting, appliances, sound systems, security, and anything else that comes to mind.

Use Your Phone as a Remote Control from Anywhere on the Internet:

And let's not forget the x10 control software for smartphones ...

The ActivePhone PRO software unlocks an entirely new use. ActivePhone PRO essentially turns your smart phone into a high-end LCD remote control for your home.

It's the home remote, but it's also wireless control of your home's lights and appliances from anywhere in the world from your cell phone. ActivePhone PRO works with any smart phone - iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, palm, Nokia, Samsung, Motorola and more ... it will work anywhere you have an Internet connection on your phone - 3G networks, 4G networks, Wi-Fi, Edge, etc.

You can go and pay $1000 for an LCD screen home controller ... or ... you can get the easy ActivePhone PRO App for about $20 and use the controller you already own: your cell phone.

The Hardware DIY Kits:

We carry the x10 Dry Contact Relay Module DCR-x10-5 (shown on right), which allows you to use x10 control signals to open and close a pair of relay switch contacts. Here are the basic features:

• Set the house and unit codes for it to respond for remote on/off control.
• Also responds to ALL UNITS OFF commands.
• Isolated relay actuates anything triggered by a contact closure.
• Relay switches a voltage applied to its terminals such as 12 volt motors, solenoids, low voltage lighting, etc.
• Can be set for momentary (2 seconds) or sustained contact closure.
• Sound can be set for series of beeps with no relay contact closure, beeps with relay contact closure, or silent relay contact closure.
• Measurement in inches: (L W D) 3.5 x 2.25 x 1.5
• Local ON and OFF buttons right on the module.
• Contacts are rated at 5A at 24 VDC or 100VA at 30 VAC.
• Module is UL listed and CSA approved. 120 Volts AC 60Hz 1 Watt. Color is white
• Compatible with X10 products including those from GE, IBM, Leviton, Magnavox, RCA, Radio Shack, Safety First, Stanley, and X-10.

The relay module above can be used to send control signals to our motor systems, both directly and indirectly using our RF control modules. In this article we'll discuss the interface procedure with our DCC-1-10-RF motor reversing controller (shown at left) as it has the required 'H bridge' DC motor control circuit already built-in. You could normally use just the DCC-1-10-RF with the included hand held remote, but in this article we'll show you how to connect the x10 relay modules to it, enabling you to use x10 power line signals to raise and lower your blinds and shades (or open and close windows, or move anything else you can think of).

Use it to control the motion of anything you want, including windows, grenhouse vents, skylights, etc.

Stay tuned to this page for more details and photographs about how to do it.

We sincerely hope you enjoy using these advanced motors; if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time!