Controlling lights not on LOR controller

[blinkers]

I have landscape lighting that I want on between shows but I don't want to run it through the LOR channels since it would just be a waste of a channel - not to mention the amps. The landscape lighting has a large transformer that plugs directly into an outlet. I was thinking that maybe some kind of x10-based switch would be best??? It would simply turn on/off when the show starts/stops. Is x10 the best way to achieve this? Is there some other better way of doing this?

Also, is it best to trigger this event using a single 'background' sequence or separate startup and shutdown sequences? From what I can tell I could effectively achieve the same thing using either, right??

Thx!

Ken

[spomalley]

X10 sounds good and fairly easy to implement but CM11a has been discontinued (LORs only supported X10 protocol) you occcasionally see the modules on ebay but they are few and far between.

[k6ccc]

That would be a good use of an X-10 interface and an appliance switch. I suggest the appliance X-10 switch because it's just a fairly large relay and can easily handle the transformer for your landscaping lights. I would trigger it with a startup and shutdown sequence.

The other option is to use your landscaping lighting as part of your show. That's sort of what I'm doing. My "show" is just my landscaping lighting. Currently 20 channels up, and another 30 or so to go when I finish the landscape project. Should have the next 14 channels operational in another month or so (I want them up before Halloween).

[Orville]

I just found it easier to "sacrifice" a channel or two for any landscape lights, and many times, like Jim just incorporate them into the show. But mine are 120VAC lighting, not the standard low voltage 12-24 volt lights in most landscape projects.

Now I just have to remember to pull up all my solar lights and solar spotlights 'cuz I can't control them! LOL

[-klb-]

My landscape lighting runs dusk to dawn. I have one LOR channel with one minleon C9 bulb that is taped in front of the photo cell. That channel is 100% on in a background sequence.

[dgrant]

You could use any 110v relay with contacts rated for the transformer current draw. Just manually wire it up with a plug and connect it to the controller. Let me add that it would need to be protected from the elements or have it inside somewhere like a garage with extension cord to and from it

Edited August 20, 2012 by dgrant

[TJ Hvasta]

I have my Rainbow Floods, and Spots running on my LOR DC controller year-round. red, green, blue fades across the front of the house from dusk to abt 3am.. it's Security lighting too, lights the dark areas around the bushes near the front of the house.

[Dave Batzdorf]

I have the standard low voltage landscape lights here. I change out the white for red and green bulbs. Makes them all part of the show. I do control the non-LOR stuff with x-10s; like the motorized deer, air blowns, etc...

[rmturner54]

My landscape lights are on a simple timer. They are off when the show starts and back on when the show is over.

Example- Mon,Tues, Wed, Thurs, show runs from say 7PM till 10PM.o timeer is set to operate right before 7 and 10 PM

[Steven]

You can buy a CM11A for about $30 from several places online, including eBay. I just bought one of these for $32.99 including shipping, because after reading this thread, I realized I should have a backup. It says the seller has more than 10 available.

Since I've converted most of our home automation to Insteon, I use the CM11A with LOR to send a signal to an ISY-99i, which then turns the garden and porch security lights, which have Insteon controllers, off and on.