Halogen can lights and X-10?

[Capin]

Has anyone used x-10 switches with halogen can lights? Which switches will work and which won't?

[Nathan]

Depends on the light. If you're talking low-voltage halogens with a switching power supply, they are often kiss-of-death for X10. Install one in your house and all your X10 will stop working, and no amount of filtering will fix it. I bought some of them and finally threw them away when it was impossible to make them work.

If you get one that isn't so bad with X10, then it can be used with an appliance module or relay switch like you'd use with fluorescents.

If you're talking generic 120V Halogens, then they are simply incandescent lights and will work with any dimmer.

Nathan

[Capin]

Whew! I am building a new house and I hate to think about the tragedy of putting in something that would have killed x-10! But it sounds like the ones that I am looking at will be fine. But after your reply, I will certainly check it out closely. So, just to make sure I understand you clearly...ANY halogen can light that connects directly to 120VAC and does not use any type of adapter/power pack etc. is safe? But if it DOES use any type of adapter or power pack, I need to test extensively before installing them. Right?

I really got lucky on this house thing. My wife approved a floor plan that includes a dedicated 5'x 6' home automation room! I would hate to have the whole thing ruined by lights that render my system useless!

Thanks for the warning Nathan.[/img]

[JimMcGowanInlet]

I'm using about a dozen of those cheap under counter halogens from home depot. Small fixture about 2\" in diameter with 10 -15 watt bulbs, 3 per string. They have their own transformer. So far no problems.

BTW
For you automation room consider skiping the sheet rocking on one wall. Then once all the rough wiring is in use high grade plywood (smooth on one side) and paint it flat black. It will make mounting your devices much easier, the flat black doesn't show dirt and makes it easy to see your devices because of the contrast.

[Capin]

Thanks for the tip Jim. I was already planning on the plywood instead of sheetrock, but I like the flat black paint idea.

[mikewhull]

capin consider putting an a 19\" rack with the space you have in that room you could usew it to mount your computer has well as a lot of network and other parts. they help with heat.
mike

[Capin]

Got that covered as well. :) Nine years ago the hospital I work for bought a DEC Alpha for $2500.00. A few month's ago, they replaced it and couldn't find anyone to take the DEC...even for FREE! So, as a last resort, they called me and asked if I want it. It's in a 7' tall cabinet with a 19\" rack inside. It also has 2 110v power cables that feed two \"power strips\" on the floor of the unit and large twin cooling fans in the ceiling of the cabinet. I finally found a company in Seattle that will give me $100 for the server and all the hard drive bays, which leaves me with $100 more to put into HA and a beautiful 19\" rack/cabinet to put it all in! Me's one happy camper! :D

[JimMcGowanInlet]

My biggest problem is cable management. If I could do my house over I would put a false wall in with an access door. I think they are called Wet Walls. Where a plumber can fit inside the wall to work. Being able to run all my wires and make changes behind the wall would be killer!

Oh well next house I guess.

[hooked4life]

I am using (10) 120V Halogens and I am using a normal X10 wall switch.

So far I have had no issues at all. I dim these on a regular basis since they are so bright and have had no issues.