Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] Mailbox Sensor Reddy Biggs Mon, 17 Aug 1998 22:36:49 -0500

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I use a wireless X-10 remote. It has buttons for 8 on/off X-10 commands. I
dismantled the unit, soldered a wire  to one set of contacts (8-ON) and put
it back together.

Then I put connected the wire to a Normally open magnetic switch.

When the mailbox it opened, the normally open switch closes, firing up the
X-10 wireless to send a C8-On signal to the receiver in the house. ECS hears
the C8-ON via the CM11A and starts the mailbox opened event for us.   (It
chimes an X-10 chime and turned on a light over the Entertainment Center...)

Advantages: Costs about $20 and uses my existing X-10. Remote uses easily
available AAA batteries.

Disadvantages: Sometimes doesn't work well in near zero temps. You need to
find a good location for the receiver.  150 feet may be too far to work, but
you might try it. Mine is about 75 feet.

Reddy

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Herron Charlotte NC <fherron@VNET.IBM.COM>
To: ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org <ecs-list@vancouver.ml.org>
Date: Monday, August 17, 1998 7:18 PM
Subject: [ECS] Mailbox Sensor


>Tried a couple of Mail Box Sensors and they were not acceptable.  Missed
Mail,
>false alarms etc.  Mark, what are you using?  I saw you are Innovonics
Dealer.
>Can you send me some model numbers and prices for what I would need to make
>this work?  Mail box only about 150 feet from house.  Any one care to share
>what technology they are using?  Would love to go hardwired, but that is
out of
>the question.  Thanks, Frank
>

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