The Computer Controls The Xmas Lights

The Christmas tree and lights have been up for a while now but for some reason I couldn't get my home automation software to control them. In years past this has been a pretty simple part of the Christmas preparations. This year it just didn't work. I control the Christmas lighting using the popular X10 automation hardware and some customized software. It's all available off the shelf at many electronics stores like Radio Shack and Frys.

X10 works by sending signals over your household electrical wiring to special modules. Simply plug what you want controlled into a module, then plug the module into any wall outlet. It sounds pretty simple and most of the time it is. X10 signal can however, be confused by some other electrical devices through out the house (motors, laptop power supplies etc...). So the introduction of something "new" (plugging in a new toy) could disrupt the X10 signals.

Back to this year's problem. It seems that sometime during the past year something new was plugged in, somewhere in the house, and it affected my seasonal lighting. After several days and some strong language I finally gave up trying to control the lights using my standard automation PC. I installed a separate automation platform using a different automation package on another PC in the house. Bingo!!! the lights are worked!!!

So for the Holidays, I am running separate automation PC's. No more going outside in the cold to plug/unplug the Christmas lights. No more fumbling with the cord behind the Christmas tree. The computer now controlls the Christmas lights......